39- The Weapon of Kalos.
"Are you sure it's this way?" A voice asked.
"I can't see pretty well, but all clues lead right here." Another voice answered.
"And you are going to believe a bunch of human fairy tales? How are we sure that thing even exist? We already have enough making sure local humans don't realize our presence."
"Sir, we think there's something behind this wall." A third voice announced.
"Better check it for sure. Full speed ahead!" The second voice ordered.
A hole broken allowed light to penetrate inside while a couple of figures removed things to make their way through. After a while, the figures revealed to be Decepticon miners excavating with their drill.
"Sir!" One of the miners called once the hole was big enough.
The leader of the mining squad looked inside and got surprised, probably of what he saw inside. "Contact the warship at once, and call general Darkscream. Tell him we have found it."
Far from there, Bumblebee, Hot Rod, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were taking a peaceful walk around New Iacon when they passed next the training room. They stopped, seeing Warpath, Windblade and the Wreckers taking a look to the simulation chamber, because of what they saw inside: the gang's pokémon were practicing their moves against holographic forms of different kinds of Decepticon soldiers, to perfect their skills and teamwork against them. But what really got their optics was the humans themselves there, standing against recreations of formidable opponents: Insecticon bruisers, Decepticon leapers, Undermine and even Bruticus, all based of recorded battle files; with one of their pokémon. The reason? They all wore Z-Rings with a Z-Crystal placed, they were practicing Z-Moves. Both Ash and Ritchie practiced with the electric type alongside Pikachu and Sparky; Misty was trying the water move with Golduck; Tracey decided to try the bug type with Scyther; Serena and Sylveon repeated the fairy type move; Goh and Cinderace were trying to perform the steps for the fire Z-Move while May and Skitty did the same for the normal type; Dawn and Piplup were repeating the ice type, the same as Iris and Dragonite for the dragon move, while Clemont decided to give Chespin a chance with the plant Z-Move. Most of them managed to recreate it successfully and beat their opponent, while others have more complications because being the most recent members or because they were practicing with types not their specialty.
"You know? I never get tired of this." Sideswipe said.
"I had no idea they could do this kind of thing, it's like a hidden super power. Why don't they use it more at battling the Cons?"
"Because Sun, Z-Moves are so powerful than it requires a lot of energy during pokémon battles. And so, they can only be used one for each pokémon during combat." Hot Rod explained.
"That's why it's best to keep them in case of emergency or setups." Bee supported.
"Its very surprising such underestimated creatures can unleash such destructive force." Windblade admitted.
"You got it girl. What we Wreckers would have go for having such endgame surprises." Wheeljack added.
"But of course, they are the experts." Seaspray clarified.
"But what's with the intense training?" Sunstreaker pointed.
"Since it's known the Cons are gaining much power with the arrival of new and unknown fighters from the War for Cybertron, our friends decided to do everything in their power and be on top of their game. For anymore unexpected aces the Cons may have hiding under their rusted sleeves." Warpath responded.
"They look very focused on their training, better not disturb them." Bumblebee advised before heading to another hall.
The group headed to the command center, were Blaster also seemed focused on his things.
"Blaster, are you alright?" Ratchet asked coming. "You haven't left the terminal for almost a day. It's something wrong?"
"Sorry Ratchet. The truth is there's something that concerns me: I have been revising the list of decoded entries of the Legacy of the Primes' database and collating it with the Prime relics known of existence, and it seems to be an anomaly."
"An anomaly?"
"You see this?" Blaster said showing an ancient cybertronian text. "This section talks about something called the Emberstone, but when I decrypted it said the location's coordinates are unknown. I thought it was because I made a mistake and tried to fix it, but every time I repeat the process ends like this."
"I don't think so, that database was highly protected, so I doubt it could be a mistake. The only explanation for that could be that relic has been lost for a long time, ending in a place of no ones' knowledge. It's just like with the Requiem Blaster, which is known to be lost since no one recalls."
"Maybe, but it still concerns me the importance of a missing relic like this. Specially since it's function is unknown."
"Maybe you didn't hear about it, but being a relic from one of his siblings, Alpha Trion told me a little about it." Optimus revealed, joining them. "He said it's the relic of his brother, Quintus Prime: it has the ability to seed living explosions into basic elements, similar to Primus' own spark, which he used to fill new worlds with life."
"Filling worlds with life out of nothing. That...sounds very similar to the seeds." Ratchet remembered.
"Indeed, old friend. I do believe it exist a connection between the seeds and that ancient relic, being most probably their source. And so I'm afraid the reason of it's lack of clues of possible whereabouts is because it is actually in possession of the wrong hands."
"The so called Creators." Blaster recalled.
"Beings with questionable intentions about the seeds' use." Ratchet nodded.
"Isn't those the ones you said wanted to get rid of us?"
"Yes Grimlock. And if they ordered Lockdown to hunt down Sentinel Prime it means they might be also aware of what happened after the fall of Cybertron. I only hope they may not think about visiting Earth very soon, not until we can figure out if our suspects are right." Optimus ended.
"Or what they really planned to do with the seeds." Blaster added.
"I don't know who are you referring with all this, but I think we should focus on ending our current conflict before speculating what else which may be out there that could be a threat."
"You are right, Predaking. We must focus on the present, and that means the Decepticons are the ones who requires all our attention." Optimus agreed.
"Didn't expect to meet another king with a fierce beast mode."
"The honor is mine, Grimlock. I've been told much about you from your comrades. From one creation of Shockblast to another, you have my condolences from what you and your team have to go through, while he give me the life at the contrary." Predaking sympathized.
"We too."
Meanwhile, Knock Out and some of Darkscream's siblings were taking a walk around Allearth Forest, on Kalos. Or that's what it looked like, because Sunstorm was aiming a device to multiple directions.
"Do you really think this is really necessary? We already have found the big prize, so what need is there of this? We can already power it up with a little dose of energon, I still not approve the use of the dark substance as alternative power source, even if it's synthesized."
"Stop complaining Knock Out." Ion Storm finally said.
"Yeah, that's all you have been doing since we came." Skywarp added.
"And why not? Haven't you seen this place? Humidity and wet mud all around because of those waterfalls, definitely not the place for a Decepticon with important looks to maintain." Knock Out detailed, right before he stomped on a pool of mud, leaving his feet dirty and making the Seekers laugh.
"Yeah, it would be just like that." Acidstorm mocked.
"Leaving such stupid reasons aside, I understand the why of such doubt. But we are not talking about a human machine which we can infuse energon to turn it on like that. This artifact seems to be of very ancient origin, long before humans would have developed a little of what can be considered great advances, so it means current powering ways may not match with it. So that's why we are searching for the correct way." Red Wing explained.
"Well, for the moment we are just going in circles. Is this even the right place?" Knock Out questioned.
"Halt!" Sunstorm shouted suddenly. "We are close."
The scanner beeped with more frequently, until it did completely at being in front of something.
"There it is. Darkscream, we got it. Rendezvous at our location." Sunstorm communicated through com-link.
"I don't get it. That's just a tree, why is so important?"
Then everyone looked above them, seeing Darkscream arrive in vehicle form, transforming and landing in middle of them. It appears he has been searching for his own and was near.
"Ah, appearances can fool. You see, Knock Out, that's not just an ordinary tree. It is said that one of the most known pokémon of this region possesses so much vital force that it shares it with other living beings. And when the time comes, it transforms into a tree to spread it around, allowing needed places to grow, just as this forest." Darkscream explained walking through them, heading for the tree.
"So that is the pokémon of life?" Skywarp asked.
"The pokémon of creation, life, rebirth… in that order. Such curious fact that some of the most powerful beings of this world are equivalents to the ones who were the basics of Cybertron: Primus and Unicron."
"And that tree is it?" Ion Storm repeated.
"From what I get from these lectures, it seems that way. But better safe than sorry." Darkscream announced pulling out the same kind of device which they used to control Palkia.
The Decepticon general walked to the tree, placed the device on it and after steeping back his optics turned purple, he was using his link with the dark energon. The device glowed in purple too, and then something happened: the tree's long branches started to shorten, the same as its roots. The trunk changed its surface, changing to plant to a body with fur, all surrounded by a wide purple aura that forced the Decepticons to cover their heads. Once it was over they were shocked of what they saw: the peculiar tree was no more, instead it stood a big, tall and elegant blue and black pokémon, similar to a giant deer with very long and magnificent antlers. It also showed its eyes' pupils were like an X, but now they were purple. Darkscream approached the pokémon and stopped right in front of it, which responded with a bow, making its new master laugh in malice. Meanwhile, on New Iacon…
"Uff, it feels great having a nice shower after all that hard training." Misty expressed drying her hair with a towel.
"What is really great is having our personal bathroom right here on the base." Dawn said.
"Piplup." Piplup supported wrapped on another towel carried by his trainer.
"Thank Blaster, he's who suggested installing a little service for us besides the personal room." Tracey revealed.
"And you had nothing to do with it, right?" Max suspected.
"Hey kids, how training went?" Arcee asked when they arrived.
"Certainly, our pokémon have improved their battle skills." Ritchie confirmed.
"And for the giant ones, thank goodness we have those Z-Moves Ash taught us." Goh added.
"I didn't do much, just shared what I learned on Alola."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said giving a thumb-up.
"Speaking of improvement, how are the Dinobots doing about their special ability?" Bonnie recalled.
"They have recovered completely from the experience, but they still have to master it to ensure what happened last time to not repeat. Ratchet and Fixit are assisting them on that matter, using what we obtained from Shockblast's patch." Elita told.
"So it will be a while until they can return back to the field." Ultra Magnus translated.
"No worries, better safe than sorry." Max opined.
"And after everything they have been through I believe a fair and proper rest is what they truly need." Optimus said.
"Well, at least we will not need to worry about that huge Decepticon combiner. Surely since his last battle it will require a long rest at the hospital." May deduced.
"Both physical and mentally, since it hasn't faced such foe in all his service." Drift nodded.
"You told Team Alien destroyed another combiner, that Devastator, but...what if the Cons bring more of their own like that?"
"No need for that concern, Iris. There's no more known surviving Stunticons besides Drag Strip and Motormaster, not enough to form Menasor. So besides Bruticus there may be only just one group of Decepticons with that ability." Smokescreen reassured.
"I wonder how they will act without their biggest weapon. What would be their next step?" Goh wondered.
The answer of Goh's question was exactly where Darkscream was heading for, accompanied by his new asset, a tunnel made by mining. At the end of it some of the Seekers were supervising the Decepticon miners transporting and installing advanced equipment.
"Darkscream, just in time." Spacestream greeted him with a lovely huge.
"Please, would you like to do that in private?" Nova Storm asked.
"Like how you do with our brother?" Slipstream provoked, making her and Thundercracker to react as if they blushed.
"And it looks like you have brought interesting company." The blue Seeker said, noticing the peculiar pokémon following their leader.
"An impressive new acquisition to our cause. But more importantly, did you find it?" Darkscream asked.
"Witness it by yourself."
They stepped aside revealing a huge chamber, with lots of what looked to be tombs around an impressive central structure. This looked like a huge flower, which surface seemed like made of crystal.
"It is magnificent." Darkscream admired.
"It's hard to believe such unbelievable thing was created by those simple humans long ago." Slipstream admitted.
"At first I thought there is no way something from an ancient tale could be real." Thundercracker said.
"Ah, but behind every legend there's always a little glimpse of truth. And since because most of our own world's have ending being real, why not here as well?" Darkscream pointed.
"I wonder what it would do once it's powered up." Nova Storm added.
"Speaking of which, have you managed to obtain everything needed?"
"Yes Darkscream. We have installed those transformers to canalize the resulting energy produced by the generators once they process the required energon levels. Courtesy of our Team Alien old friends, of which when we located where they used to house their pokémon we had no qualms of extracting their vital energy with the proper equipment recovered from the local human organization, with some modifications that Shockblast applied." Spacestream reported while they walked around the building.
"That's two of four. What about the key?"
"It surely took Shatter and Dropkick a while to figure out where it currently was. They even were forced to check the files collected by Team Alien, but they ended finding it right at what was left of the base belonging to the team of this region. It seems that was the only thing they didn't recovered." Thundercracker told. "Now we just lack the main power source."
"Excellent, how fortunately that I just brought it with me." Darkscream revealed, making the pokémon to stand next to him, allowing him to stroke its head. "How ironic that humans could create a weapon of this caliber, something worthy for us Decepticon to claim. It's just what we need to replace the great weapons we once had on New Kaon, And this pokémon is the key to subjugate this world, to put this very planet in the palm of our hand."
While this happened, one Decepticon transport which was carrying some of the equipment for the emplacement passed next a small floating object. This object seemed like a Drifloon, but it was just a balloon, but not an ordinary one: it was a drone disguised as one, and it was sending a signal. Back at New Iacon…
"Optimus, one of my atmospheric surveillance sensors have detected something." Blaster announced.
"Your what?" Bonnie asked confused.
"Aren't those the items used to check the weather changes?" Ritchie recalled.
"No, not exactly. These are special sensors designed by Blaster which he made inspired on Drifloon, and partly on Team Rocket's balloon." Tracey revealed.
"Whoa, science is so amazing." Ash expressed.
"I placed these sensors on the high wind currents on the high parts of the atmosphere to try to track down energy frequencies of unfriendly origin." Blaster explained.
"To find the Decepticons' warship?" Iris asked.
"Not totally, but mainly to predict possible Decepticon incursions when they deploy from outside the planet. This one seems to be heading right to Kalos."
"Can you verify its destination?" Optimus requested.
"I'm still trying to figure it out, but even so I already know it's a transport, carrying heavy and mining equipment."
"Surely to open another energon mine."
"Forgive me for counter you Moon, but that seems highly improbable."
"Why Ratchet?" Misty asked.
"Our improved sensors are able to detect large amounts of energon buried under the surface or the oceans, and there's not a single reading around all that region."
"Perhaps they located another buried relic." Goh suspected.
"With the database completely decoded? No, it has to be another thing." Blaster objected.
"Do you think they may have found another legendary pokémon's whereabouts?" Smokescreen asked.
"We've been up to date the region's pokémon last sightings and that location is not even close to the nearest one." Ultra Magnus mentioned.
"Then why all that necessary equipment?" Dawn wondered.
"Oh, maybe they could be after… No, surely it will not be."
"What do you mean, Serena?" Ash asked his girlfriend.
"What's on your mind?" Elita added.
"Well it's absurd, but for a moment I thought of the possibility...that they could be searching for...the Ultimate Weapon." Serena revealed.
"The what?!" Most of the gang asked in surprise.
"But Serena, that's just a legend." Clemont defended.
"What kind of legend?" Bumblebee asked.
"The most known in the Kalos region. Around 3000 years ago, it's said a person built a revolutionary machine to bring his pokémon friend back to life."
"Like when Bumblebee was resurrected by falling into the Omega Lock?" Warpath reminded.
"More or less."
"So what's the big issue with such wonderful device?" Windblade asked.
"That person also desired revenge against those who killed his beloved pokémon, so after achieving his original purpose he turned it into a weapon and used it to end the great war of that time by destroying both sides." Serena ended.
"The own man's arrogance lured him into a path of pain and destruction, such twisted fate." Drift understood.
"Hold on, are you saying in a way he created some kind of ancient superweapon?" Sideswipe questioned.
"That's how the legend narrates it." Clemont nodded.
"Now I remember it, dad used to tell us when I was a little younger." Bonnie recalled.
"And why you think it could be what the Decepticons are searching for?" Goh asked.
"Giving the fact there are no more relics or energon on Kalos to reclaim and the fact it remained as a weapon it may be reason enough for them to look for." Serena reasoned.
"Even if it's just a legend?" Ash said.
"That has never been enough to stop the Decepticons."
"Predaking is right. If the Decepticons suspect its real, they may try to find that superweapon and abuse its' power." Optimus pointed.
"Well, for the moment it seems not to be the case. Everything seems completely…" Blaster was saying, until suddenly an alarm sounded.
"Our instruments are detecting a weird energy spike, of unknown nature." Fixit reported.
"Origin?" Optimus demanded.
"The coordinates pinpoint right...at where that transport was heading."
Moments before it happened, back in the chamber, Spacestream signaled to Darkscream that everything was installed and ready. Immediately, without ordering anything, the legendary pokémon walked into the structure. Once at the center part of its energy flowed through the structure, making it to change color to blue as a mystical sound emanated from it, surely a charging sound. At the same time the Decepticons activated some devices which fired some small energy beams at the structure and some cables supplied other attached to the equipment, while Thundercracker inserted the key in the main terminal.
Darkscream laughed while this happened. "Yes! Give me power!"
Back with Team Prime…
"It seems it's originating right beneath Geosenge Town, probably from a cavern or chamber excavated through the earth." Fixit reported.
"That explains all that mining equipment." Seaspray signaled.
"These energy readings, are nothing that I have ever registered before. Maybe Serena was right about her suspects." Ratchet said.
"Which means the weapon is real, they have found it." Ash understood.
"And if the Cons turn it on…" Ritchie continued.
"Team Prime, there's no time to lose. We must act immediately, roll out!" Optimus proclaimed.
Moments later, a ground bridge emerged at the town's outsides, from which almost all the gang emerged, alongside Bumblebee, Sunstreaker, Windblade, Arcee, Warpath and Drift.
"The power is emanating right at 150 meters at your left." Ratchet communicated by com-link.
"You said under the town as well, right? Because in that case we forgot to bring some shovels." Ritchie said.
"That would not be necessary." Arcee called, pointing a somewhere right at a lower part of the area. "The Cons already made an entrance by themselves."
"And surely they will be waiting for us. We'll have to do this the hard way, and quick." Windblade proposed pulling out her swords.
"Haha, I like that." Warpath nodded crushing his fists.
"How about if we avoid it and enter where they don't expect it?"
"Good idea Dawn. Surely we can get in from other angle, one not very well protected." Bee agreed. "Blaster, Fixit, can you guys find us a safer route into the target?"
"The scan indicates an area where rocks seems to be weaker. It's at the other side of the entrance." Fixit reported.
"There's where we'll access to the chamber."
"And since we are in hurry, a stealthy approach should be out of the question." May mentioned
"I'm with the girl, we will have to make our way through." Sun supported before the Autobots transformed.
The group headed for the other side of the place, the Autobots let the humans out before returning to robot form and started to employ force: Warpath fired his chest cannon while the other Autobots, except Drift, who stood in guard, used their special weapons, as well Windblade fired her vehicle form's weapons, all at the same spot. The humans also assisted with their own cybertronian weapons, alongside some of their pokémon: Ash's Oshawott used Hydro Pump while Bulbasaur and Sceptile used Solar Beam; both Misty's Gyarados and Golduck assisted with Hydro Pump; Ritchie sent Happy and Espy to use Solar Beam and Psybeam; Pancham attacked with Stone Edge; May's Venusaur employed Solar Beam while Skitty used Assist to copy one of the attacks used by the other pokémon; Clemont and Iris called Diggerby, Excadrill and Gigle to make way with Dig while Haxorus joined the others with Dragon Pulse; Goh's Cinderace used Pyro Ball and Piplup used Whirlpool. After a while striking they made a huge hole inside the rock.
"What?" Warpath said, but not proud of what he was seeing.
"Great, we are making our own entrance. Let's keep like that and we will reach it." Goh encouraged.
"No no no, something's not right here."
"What do you mean?" May asked.
"I know how powerful my shots are, and this is not the perforation depth I expected."
"I'm with Warpath, we should have our path already." Arcee supported.
Windblade approached the hole and inspected it carefully. "Hmm, I would not consider this ordinary Earth rock. It has been reinforced by a little touche of nano-metallic armor."
"Cybertronian one?" Serena asked, but before anyone could confirm or deny it a recognizable laugh caught their attention.
Everyone looked up to see Darkscream on top.
"What would it be if not?" He confirmed. "Autobots, how predictable. Always coming to ruin the fun even when the best is yet to come."
"Darkscream." Ash said.
"We should have supposed this was your doing." Drift supported pulling out his blades.
"How have you managed to turn on the weapon?" Bumblebee demanded.
"I cannot take all the credit to myself. Allow me to introduce you the most fundamental part of the plan." Darkscream offered as he showed a screen from his wrist's terminal.
"Hey, is that…?" Clemont started.
"Xerneas?!" Ash recognized.
"Isn't that the pokémon of life and creation?" Tracey recalled.
"The very and only one." Darkscream confirmed. "It also surprised me that this world has its own versions of Cybertron's greatest deities, in pokémon skin."
"What do you want Xerneas for?" Serena demanded.
"Besides the fact of being a legendary pokémon, it appears only the energy of either the pokémon of life or the one of death is what can fire up this ancient work of art. A most worthy replacement for New Kaon's big guns."
"You are not getting away with this, Darkscream. We will ruin your plans and free that pokémon from your control like before." Sunstreaker swore.
"Yeah, because we are many and you are just one." Goh supported.
Immediately the rest of the Seekers gathered next to their leader facing them.
"Oh, well there just one, two, three…" Goh started.
"Have you counted the girls too?" Dawn detailed.
"Those Cons are girls? They don't look for me."
"Would you please remain still?! I can't like this! I think I have counted someone more than one time." Sunstreaker complained.
"In that case, count these too." Spacestream said, right before lots of Seeker soldiers surrounded them.
"This time we made sure to take all precautions to deal with you while our plan takes course." Thundercracker revealed.
"But we will give you a chance. Give up your efforts or this whole region will be devoid of life once again." Darkscream threatened.
"And let you roam freely around Earth? Never, we will not negotiate with guys like you." Bumblebee declared.
"If you intend to use that weapon we will defeat you, and ensure it would not be used like that ever again." Ash swore.
"Perhaps. That is...if you survive that long." Darkscream announced as the whole battalion started its attack.
Because the Seekers bombarded them from all sides, the group was forced to look for shelter.
"It seems reaching that thing is not going to be as easy like we thought." Windblade said deflecting shots with her swords.
"Base, we have a problem. Darkscream knew we were coming, his troops have us immobilized." Drift reported.
"And to make things worse it seems they have increased security on accessing the weapon: the rocks which hide it have been covered with special cybertronian plates." Warpath added.
"That armor is hard to penetrate, it could take us hours to reach the chamber by standard ways." Ratchet analyzed.
"And we may have no time for that. The readings are increasing with each passing moment." Blaster added.
"Then we'll appeal for more drastic solutions." Optimus decided before returning to the terminal. "Autobots, hold your position. We are going for plan B."
"Plan B?" Bonnie asked.
"What's that plan?" Max added.
Back with the gang…
"What do you think they are up to?" Ritchie asked.
"Whatever it is, I hope they hurry." Iris said, almost being hit by a blaster shot.
"They are closing in." Arcee reported.
"Time for demolition Warpath." Bee authorized.
"Glad to hear that. Okay Cons, get ready for the party."
Warpath used his shoulder grenade launchers, creating a floating mining field which helped keeping the Decepticons at bay, for a while. Darkscream and his fellow Seekers observed the fires and explosions from above.
"Looks like the Autobots are having a hard time." Slipstream smirked.
"Them or our troops? I can't say for certain from here who's being blown up." Sunstorm defended.
Suddenly they felt a shake beneath their feet.
"What was that? An earthquake?" Spacestream asked.
"Right now? I hope it doesn't cause any damage to the weapon or the equipment." Nova Storm said.
"It wasn't an earthquake." Darkscream corrected while looking to a brand new hole in the rock, with smoke still emanating, sign that it was made recently, before turning his sight to the distance. "They're shooting at us, with artillery."
Right at another hill, some distance of the weapon's hideout, the Autobot leaders and Predaking stood next to the Axiom Cannon, which was charging up.
"Are you sure this will work?" Predaking asked looking the weapon.
"Being the most powerful artillery in our arsenal, the Axiom Cannon is our best asset to drill through the shell the Decepticons have created around the superweapon." Optimus answered.
"It's firepower allowed it to penetrate through the hardest none-shielded building on Cybertron, reason why we Autobots tried our best to confiscate these weapons from the Decepticons." Ultra Magnus supported.
"Base, we are in position and firing at the target. How long until we pierce through the surface?" Elita requested.
"According with my calculations the carcass implanted by the Decepticons has toughen up the rock's resistance to none-earth levels, similar to Kolkular." Blaster informed.
"What is that?" Max asked in confusion.
"That's the name of Megatron's fortress on Kaon, the most unassailable place of the Decepticons during the War for Cybertron." Moonracer told.
"Until Prime came up with turning the big Con's gun at buckethead's house. That was a blast." Wheeljack added.
"It will take a while to penetrate the wall with the cannon firing constantly. Perhaps you may be able to speed it up by firing it a full capacity." Fixit recommended.
"We have no choice if we wanna reach the weapon in time. Charge the cannon for maximum power." Optimus commanded.
The cannon charged completely before unleashing a powerful shot which impacted the wall, leaving a hole of noticeable deep. The Decepticons also saw this, now the rest of the Seekers present.
"The artillery fire comes from over that hill. By the strength of the perforation it can only be an Axiom Cannon." Thundercracker realized.
"That's one serious weapon. It will make its way to the superweapon if we don't stop it." Red Wing warned.
"Then we will have to remind the Autobots the limitations they possessed on Cybertron. Seeker armada, destroy that cannon, it must not reach the inside until the weapon has enough power." Darkscream instructed.
"Seekers, with me!" Skywarp called.
The whole Seeker armada transformed and flew right to the Autobots' position.
"Looks like we got their attention." Elita spotted.
"That thing is tough, isn't it?" Predaking asked.
"The cannon possess its own defensive mechanisms." Ultra Magnus revealed, just in the moment the cannon deployed an energy shield which covered it completely. "But it doesn't last long, since it draws energy from the same power source to fire as well."
"Which means we will have to defend it at all cost. Autobots, mobilize!" Optimus called.
A ground bridge opened near them from which the rest of Team Prime emerged ready for combat. As the Seeker armada was getting closer, Optimus activated his jet-pack and pulled out the Star Saber. He took flight and launched a wave of energy at the Decepticons.
"Incoming! Break formation!" Hydrostorm warned.
The Seeker separated, making just a few soldiers were hit with the wave.
"Autobots, protect the cannon!" Optimus ordered before charging against the enemy.
Most of the Seekers tried to bomb the cannon, which would have worked if it wasn't for the force field generator which Smokescreen used to cover it when it was about to fire. Darkscream's siblings tried to use missiles, but the Autobots responded eliminating them with some of their special weapons. Skywarp tried to use his teleport ability to surprise Smokey, but when he tried he just passed through him: he took the precaution to turn on the phase shifter. While the Seekers engaged the team, Slipstream, Nova Storm and Thundercracker tried to face Optimus, who with the combined use of his gatling and the Star Saber left the fight in a draw. The general mobilization of the Decepticons allowed the other Autobots to deal with a more fair number of enemies, being able to defeat them much easy, thanks to Pikachu's Electroweb.
"Smart move, little friend." Drift thanked.
"Pikachu."
"Where did the rest go?" Misty wondered.
"We better not figure it out while we still have time to find another entrance." Clemont reminded.
"Now the idea of taking the existing entrance sounds much better for me." Sunstreaker suggested.
"Agree, but we should hurry." Bee nodded.
"You guys go ahead, I'll perform as plan B' air support." Windblade said before transforming and flying away.
Windblade had no problem to speed up right at where the Seekers were rumbling the Autobots. She took down a few of them on her way with her alt form's weapons, but she didn't have a long stay in the air, thanks to Ion Storm who used EMP missiles which impacted near her, enough to force her down.
"You are not gonna show off this time, air damsel." The Seeker mocked.
"Urg, you just called me damsel?" Windblade repeated with a mad tone while pulling out her swords. "Get this on your void skulls Cons, no one…" She sliced through a Seeker soldier. "...calls me…" Kicked a heavy one on a weak spot on the back. "...damsel!" And finished giving Skywarp, who just reappeared, a headbutt.
"That's right, she's serious about that detail." Sideswipe supported, landing next to her. "Good to join us. Wanna make this more enjoyable? How about kill count? The one who gets more wins."
"You got it, Slick."
"Then you are losing." Seaspray said while firing an explosive harpoon.
"A lot." Wheeljack added launching a grenade and firing it in the air.
Meanwhile, the gang was marching around the rock wall, looking for a better way to access the inside.
"Hey! How I didn't think about it? Let's make a tunnel, a path below the wall which its not covered and that may take us right to the inside."
"Good idea, Ritchie." May congratulated.
"It will be big enough for the Bots?" Misty asked.
"Don't worry about us. That you can get in will be enough. We will cover your way in." Bumblebee reassured.
"Not so fast!" They heard Darscream say.
Before they could do anything everyone felt unable to move and forced against the ground. The humans couldn't believe what it was when they looked up.
"Is that…?" Dawn started.
"Yes. It's Xerneas." Serena confirmed.
The legendary pokémon was standing in front of the group with a determination look, it appeared the strange effect was because it was using Gravity, which was also affecting the surrounding rocks and trees, crushing them with incredible force. Darkscream, Spacestream and Knock Out walked next to it.
"How ironic that the powers of the pokémon of creation are now being employed for destruction." Knock Out opined.
"Nothing new coming from you, Decepticons." Sunstreaker answered back.
"And that's not all it can do."
As understanding what Darkscream wanted to say with it, Xerneas started to shine before unleashing some kind of pulse of light which flowed through the ground. When it touched the Decepticons it radiated them with some kind of aura.
"Ah, I feel like I can take down all the Primes!" Darkscream expressed.
"Yes, I can feel the power." Knock Out added.
"What's happening?" Warpath asked.
"Xerneas is powering up the Decepticons by using its signature move: Geomancy." Tracey explained.
"Normally it uses it to infuse life to other beings, but Darkscream…" Clemont continued.
"He's using it to boost himself and his troops. That's cheating." Goh complained.
"What do you expect? Cons never play fair." Arcee supported.
"What's the use of having power if you can't exploit it for your advantage?" Darkscream argued back.
Suddenly more Vehicon troops gathered around the team and aimed their weapons.
"Looks like this time the situation is too big for you to resolve. But don't worry, I will allow you an honorable and quick demise." Darkscream offered as the troops charged their weapons.
The gang didn't know what to do, the Gravity move left them in a very bad situation, not to mention how hard the Cons now may be because of Xerneas's power. But when they thought luck abandoned them a red light blinded everyone's eyes. When they looked again witnessed something weird: the Vehicons' bodies started to rust very fast, making their bodies to fall in pieces until being reduced to dust. Besides seeing this the Decepticons also noticed the effects of Geomancy seemed to disappear, and the gravity effect on the gang was no more.
"I feel like always. What just happened?" Spacestream asked confused.
Before anyone could assume a loud roar caught their attention.
"Hey, I think I know that sound." Ash recognized.
"Pika pi." Pikachu nodded.
"Yeah, me too." Serena supported.
"Is that good or bad news?" Bumblebee asked.
"Well, last time was bad for us, but now…" Clemont said.
"Guys, look." Iris pointed.
Right in the sky they spotted a figure flying above them: a red and black figure which grow bigger while it approach them. Once it landed they saw it was a big pokémon, but which had like claw details at the end of its big wings and tail, doubled curved horns on its head and its eyes were blue with white pupils. Its presence displayed a sinister aura.
"Who's that pokémon?" Misty asked.
"That's Xerneas counterpart, Yveltal." Tracey identified.
"You mean...the pokémon...of death and destruction?" May asked a little scared.
"Pika pika." Pikachu reacted standing on battle position against the flying pokémon, however the legendary pokémon's reaction seemed more calm and even welcoming.
"Pi? Pi piplup." Piplup said stopping Pikachu.
"What's wrong?" Drift wondered.
"It seems Piplup wants to say that Yveltal hasn't come with bad intentions." Ritchie suggested.
"Well, if that attack was its undoing it saved us." Dawn pointed.
"How curious its signature move works against the Decepticons, despite being from another planet." Goh expressed.
"Hold on, are you saying that was that being's doing?" Knock Out called while he pointed at the rusted remains of the Vehicons. It made him shudder. "I just saw my worst nightmare happening right in front of my own optics."
"So that's the fearsome Yveltal, the pokémon of destruction. I didn't expect it will appear by itself, it must be our lucky day." Darkscream said, making the legendary pokémon to spread its wings and roar at him directly. "Looks like I will have to teach you a little discipline first."
Darkscream deployed a rain of missiles from his back which fell upon the group. The Autobots got ready to protect their human and pokémon friends, but before they could act Yveltal stood in front of them and intercepted the missiles with Hyper Beam.
"Did Yveltal actually...saved us?" Serena asked in disbelief.
"It appears it has sensed something is wrong with Xerneas and came to figure it out." Drift deduced.
"Being the pokémon of destruction means it's the half of balance." Tracey pointed.
"So it wants to help Xerneas as well." Iris understood.
"Well, Xerneas helped Yveltal to calm down last time they faced. Maybe it wants to return the favor." Ash deduced.
"Looks like the chaos bringer pokémon wants to fight." Spacestream observed.
"Forget it, don't count me in. I don't want to end like a bunch of red rust dust!"
"Run if you want, Knock Out, let it to the most suitable one for the task. Xerneas, destroy them!"
The pokémon of creation followed Darkscream's command and charged against the group, but Yveltal blocked it first, grabbing it by the antlers. They continued pushing each other back until Yveltal surprised it with a huge Shadow Ball which overthrew it, the Autobots took chance of the commotion to shot at the Cons. Next it spread its wings again as it looked to Ash and made some moves with its head.
"What it's doing?" Ritchie wondered.
"I think Yveltal wants Ash to ride on it." Bumblebee understood.
"Me?" Ash repeated before looking back at Yveltal. "You...want me...to go with you?" For his surprise the legendary pokémon nodded as response. "If you want to set Xerneas free from the Decepticons' control then I'll help you."
"You do that, we'll rendezvous with the others and assist them in what they need." Arcee added before they transformed.
While Ash, Serena, Pancham and Pikachu climbed onto Yveltal's back, the others joined the Autobots and drove their way to the center of the action.
"So, what's the plan?" Serena asked while Yveltal took flight.
"We gotta focused on Xerneas, but we also may be able to help the others make their way into where the Decepticons keep the weapon. Yveltal, we need to make a hole into those rocks." Ash instructed.
The legendary pokémon followed Ash's indications and fired another Hyper Beam, hitting hard one side of the wall. The Decepticons also noticed this.
"If that thing is Xerneas' counterpart, what do you think it could happen if it gets too close to the weapon?" Spacestream pointed.
"It may ruin all our efforts. We must not allow them to enter the chamber!" Darkscream ordered.
While the two Decepticons transformed and flew after them, the same as Xerneas after it recovered, following on the ground, the rest of the heroes caught up with the others and assisted them on defending the Axiom Cannon; Autobots, the children and their pokémon; while it continued firing its way through the wall.
"Ratchet, the cannon must work at its full potential. Make sure it remains intact!" Optimus commanded.
Immediately the Autobot medic retreated from the fight and went next the artillery, using his repair ray to fix any damage it had, better safe than sorry. Of course that also turned him in another crucial target for the Decepticons, but Clemont was now there, supporting him with his gun at hand and his backpack's trinkets. Unaware by everyone, something was moving through the woods outside the town, sneaking into the entrance the Decepticons made previously.
"How do you think everyone is doing?" Bonnie asked concerned to Max, the only ones remaining in the Autobot base besides Fixit.
"Urg, we can't just remain here sitting around while everyone else is trying to prevent Kalos's destruction. We gotta do something."
"But what, Max? Being the smallest of all there's isn't much we can do to make a difference." Fixit pointed.
"If only we could just ground bridge ourselves into that place and mess a little what the Cons are using for their plan."
"Hey, what a good thinking. Why not ground bridging in there, where they don't expect us, and do a little sabotage?" Bonnie supported.
"Hmm, perhaps. If it wasn't for the scanners unable to get a fix on the coordinates." Fixit said.
"Then how about without then?"
"What? Are you nuts?! That's too dangerous!"
"Why not taking reference Serena's digital map and put in on the bridge?" Max suggested.
"I don't know. Something may go wrong, what if you end buried below ground? Or stuck in it? Or worse, right in front of the Decepticons?!"
"Fixit, we need you to take this risk. Because if we don't try we may not know." Bonnie encouraged.
"Dedenne." Dedenne nodded.
Fixit was not sure about Max and Bonnie' plan. At the end, a ground bridge appeared somewhere, the kids jumped out and were forced to look for a hiding place. The reason? They found themselves in middle of the chamber, with the weapon still stockpiling energy.
"Whoa. I never thought it would be real." Bonnie admired.
"It doesn't look like a weapon." Max added.
"Max, Bonnie, are you alright?" Fixit's voice was heard from their Pokétchs.
"Relax Fixit, we are fine. We made it, but you better keep your voice low, let's not warn everyone here."
"Ah, thank Primus. What do you see?"
"Lot of machines everywhere." Bonnie responded.
"The Decepticons have some big boxes connected to the weapon by some cables." Max reported.
"The Decepticons must be supplying energy with those generators, meaning it must be completely charged before use. Surely a little sabotage on any part of the collective equipment would end on a depletion of the energy require for the use of the weapon." Fixit suspected.
"That way we will buy time for the others." Bonnie understood.
"Okay, then let's do a little harm." Max decided.
The kids separated, each one going for one target as they evaded the Decepticon guards. Max approached one of the cables and started to pull from it the best until he managed to disconnect it. Bonnie and Dedenne approached a generator and the little pokémon climbed near the cable was inserted, where he used his electric attacks to sabotage it. While the girl and her pokémon continued this, Max decided to try to break the cables instead of pluck them out, because that way the Cons would have to replace them, instead of simply connect them again, so he used a sharp rock he found nearby to use with the weakest part of some cables. While this happened, outside Yveltal was still trying to make a hole into the rock, and unfortunately its undoing didn't went unnoticed: Darkscream and Spacestream approached them and prepared to launch missiles.
"Ash, here they come." Serena warned.
"Pikachu, shoot them down with Thunderbolt."
"Pancham, Dark Pulse."
The pokémon attacks forced the Decepticons to dodge, although they fired a few missiles. Ash simply destroyed them with his cybertronian weapon.
"Nice shooting Ash." Serena congratulated.
"I have been taking my time in the practice room."
"Pika!"
Pikachu shouted seeing the Decepticons coming again, but his warning alerted Yveltal, which took flight to leave them behind. The Decepticons decided to change tactic and instead of missiles attacked with laser shots, forcing the legendary pokémon to flew from one side to another as the humans and pokémon fired back. It also had to dodge an Aurora Beam coming from the surface, Xerneas was also attacking from below.
"You seem to fly very well for your size. Let's see if you dodge this." Darkscream proclaimed while his partner prepared to fire something.
It looked like two huge missiles, but after being fired they divided into lots of smaller missiles heading at them like a swarm, and if that wasn't enough they turned invisible.
"Didn't you want to test your stealth missiles, dear? You got it now."
"Oh Darkscream." Spacestream thanked, with a tone like a girlfriend receiving a present from her boyfriend.
Ash and Serena got nervous seeing the missile swarm vanish in front of them, but Yveltal faced with determined eyes. Once the missiles got closer enough their trail of smoke became more visible, and that's when Yveltal made some maneuvers, spins and stunts to made them impact against each other.
"Whoa, that was amazing." Ash expressed.
"Thanks Yveltal." Serena appreciated.
"What?! How did it manage to evade my special attack?" Spacestream asked in disbelief.
"That pokémon is just proving itself more worthy of the Decepticon legion. I can't wait to add it to my collection." Darkscream admired.
Back into the chamber, at first it seemed like it wasn't working, and they were starting to get tired, until suddenly an alarm sounded on one of the terminals, making one of the Vehicons to go check it.
"What's going on?" Knock Out demanded, entering the chamber, very near where the kids where hidden.
"Sir, it appears to be a problem on the weapon's energy supply. The levels are starting to decrease." The Vehicon reported.
"Don't refer to him as sir, he doesn't have any idea of what do to." Other complained.
"Of course I do. Does anyone know where the control panel of this mess is?" Knock Out demanded, not aware that right on his back, hooked to his wheels, Max and Bonnie remained hidden.
In that moment another tremor shook the whole place, making the Cons look everywhere in confusion.
"That's your cue Dedenne, fry that screen." Bonnie whispered.
"Seekers, what is going on out there?!" Knock Out called through com-link.
"The Autobots' resistance is higher than we thought, and with the Axiom Cannon totally charged up each time it fires…" Hydrostorm reported.
"Yeah yeah, we have felt it. It's making its way to the inside. How long it will take you to destroy it?"
"Why? Is everything alright in there?" Thundercracker questioned.
"What? Why that so sudden?"
"Knock Out, what did you do?" Slipstream asked, hearing a bit of concern on the Decepticon medic's voice.
"Don't put the blame on me, I just got here. The readings have registered a slight degree of the energy levels of the weapon's charging procedure."
Just in that moment Dedenne reached the screen, right when no Con was looking, and employed Nuzzle.
"How big is the degree radius?" Nova Storm asked.
"Well…" Knock Out was about to answer, but then the screen exploded, emanating just sparks and broken cables. "I...couldn't say, the screen just exploded."
"What? What do you just touch?!" Sunstorm demanded.
Knock Out was getting frustrated, but before he thought of how to respond back he noticed the sound of little feet moving very near of him. He looked to his right and spotted Dedenne climbing up his arm, which made him scream.
"I have a pest on my finish! Get it off me, get it off!" The red Decepticon demanded hysterical.
"Hum sir, it's not just that one you have on you." A Vehicon noticed looking behind him.
Knock tried to look his reflection on one of the Vehicons and discovered the kids on his back. "Hey, get off me, you parasite humans! Get them off me! They are gonna let their marks all over my paint job!"
Knock Out tried to shake them off, but the kids and Dedenne manage to hold very well.
"Don't move, sir." One Vehicon asked while aiming his weapon.
"What? Wait, don't!" Knock Out pleaded, but the Vehicon fired anyways, making the doctor react by instinct and dodge the shot. "You fool, that would have been worse! Okay, that's enough!"
Without warning, Knock Out changed to vehicle form, and the kids ended on the back seats, caught by the seat belts.
"If what you wanted was a ride on a luxurious vehicle, all you had to do was ask." Knock Out mocked before transforming again, now having Max and Bonnie on his hands. "Now, what are you two doing in here?"
Before they could respond, something hit Knock Out very fast on the face, making him drop them. After one Vehicon helped him up, he saw on his reflection he now presented an ugly mark on the cheek.
He gasped in shock while pulling out his weapons. "Where is it? Where did your backup went hiding?!"
"Backup?" Max and Bonnie asked confused.
Suddenly the Decepticons spotted a creature with green and black touches moving around the place.
"Look, an identified little green lifeform." One of the Vehicons announced.
"You scrap head, that's another pokémon!" Other corrected.
"How did it manage to get in? Ha, no matter, it's going to pay for what it did to my finish. Blast it!" Knock Out ordered.
The Decepticons tried to fire at the pokémon, but because it was moving at such high speed their efforts were not enough. Max and Bonnie used the distraction to hide in a safe place.
"That pokémon, whatever it is, must be using Extreme Speed. That's how it's dodging the Decepticons' shots." Max deduced.
"Did that Con said it's green? Because that surely sounds me familiar." Bonnie added.
"Alright, that's enough! Hold fire, right now!" Knock Out ordered after a long firefight.
As result of not knowing where the target was and their lack of aim, the shots ended hitting some of the installed equipment.
"Oh scrap, Screamy's blue clone is gonna be very mad." Knock Out complained.
Suddenly, a figure jumped in front of the Decepticons: it seemed like a small pokémon with canine appearance, but with hexagonal eyes, or just non-visible.
"Who's that pokémon?" Max asked confused.
On the other hand, Bonnie gasped in disbelief. "I don't believe it."
The strange pokémon glared at the Decepticons with a mad look before it started to concentrate energy on its back and unleashed a storm of green shots which bombed the Decepticons from all sides. Of course, Knock Out, who was more worried for his finish than the equipment or the troops, searched for shelter. The Vehicons, on the other hand, tried to fight back, but the pokémon used Extreme Speed again, this time to strike them fast and hard. With a few hits on the same foe, some of the Cons were torn to pieces. Next, the pokémon went to hide behind one deactivated generator.
"What's wrong with you? Come one fellas, put yourself into the task! What does it take to handle a single little pokémon?!" Knock Out protested.
Suddenly, lots of green streams flowed right to where the pokémon hid. Then, like out of nowhere, a huge brand-new being showed above the machinery. Looking at the Decepticons was some kind of huge snake with a curious tail and hood like structure behind its head, with the same color schemes and eyes as the previous one. Knock Out and the others' faces changed as result.
"How...did it manage...to grow up...so fast?" The red medic expressed in fear.
The pokémon roared at them with intensity before shining again, but this time unleashed a wave of energy across the floor which caused tremors, destroying all the equipment of the chamber. But for the Cons it launched them hard against the wall, Knock Out was lucky to being sent flying through the entrance.
"Now I know what Team Rocket feels with that of 'we're blasting off again'!" He yelled while his way out.
With all enemies defeated the giant pokémon checked the whole chamber, looking at the remains of Decepticon tech.
"Bonnie, wait. What are you doing?" Max pleaded because she was getting out of the hiding place.
"Hey, over here!"
"Shh, don't call to it. Do you want it to discover us?"
"Yes."
Max put a confused look. "Bonnie, you have seen what it just did to the Cons. Do you want us to end the same?"
"That will not happen, because I know it."
Max looked at Dedenne with both a troubled and confused face, while Bonnie approached the huge pokémon like nothing.
"It's been a long while. It's so good to see you again." Bonnie saluted, making the pokémon to approach its head to her face. For a moment Bonnie felt uneasy, it was that the one she knew? "Is that you, Squishy?"
After what seemed like a long pause, the pokémon started to stroke Bonnie's face, making her laugh before lifting her a little from the ground as she remained hugged on its head, which surprised her with more laughs.
"Wow! It's you! Squishy, it's you!" Bonnie celebrated hugging the pokémon's head. "Come out, Max! It's fine, it's a friend!"
"Wait a second, are you friend of that pokémon?" Max asked in disbelief approaching.
"Indeed, is a friend we met during Ash's travel through Kalos. Meet Squishy."
"Squishy?"
"That's the name I gave it the moment we met. Actually it's a legendary pokémon, known by everyone as Zygarde."
"Zygarde?! The pokémon of order and balance? The protector of Kalos?!"
"Yeah, and this is just one of its forms, although its main form."
"Well, I gotta admit it was incredible."
"Squishy, say hi to my friend here, Max."
Zygarde looked at Max and nodded, making the kid feel relieved at last, before turning its head to the weapon.
"It seems it also sensed the disturbance created by the weapon." Max deduced.
"That's why it has destroyed all the Decepticons machines. Squishy, those evil robots have used Xerneas' power to turn on that superweapon, we gotta stop them." Bonnie shared.
Another tremor shook the chamber from outside. "We have to make an opening so our friends can destroy it!"
Zygarde understood what they wanted to say and headed to where the tremor originated, with them now riding on it. Outside, the battle continued.
"Darkscream, we have a problem. Somehow some of the humans managed to infiltrate the chamber and have been sabotaging the energy conductors. And to make things worse they have allied with an unknown huge pokémon which has disposed off all our stationed forces." Knock Out reported.
"Argh, do I have to do everything by myself?!"
The Decepticon leader changed course, leaving Spacestream alone with the chase. That was a mistake on his part, because as soon as Darkscream was gone, Pikachu and Pancham attacks hit her by surprise, followed by Yveltal grabbing her by the wings. The legendary pokémon flew right where the battle between Team Prime and the Seekers was taking place and threw her with so much force that ended colliding with Slipstream, Acidstorm and Ion Storm, right before they tried to attack Ratchet. Next, Yveltal positioned above everyone and prepared to use its signature move: Oblivion Wing. The beam was directed against the Seeker armada.
"Don't let that beam hit you! It will rust you to death!" Spacestream warned.
Darkscream's siblings managed to evade the beam, unlike almost all the other Seekers, who after making contact with the beam rust started to consume their bodies.
"Well done, Yveltal." Ash congratulated.
That allowed the Autobots to put the Decepticons against the ropes: now they were more equal in numbers, but they surpassed them in firepower, specially with Predaking leading the charge. But the celebration was ephemeral for Ash's group, because an Aurora Beam hit Yveltal by surprise right on the chest, making the legendary pokémon fall. It managed to recover, but before it returned back to the heights it felt something holding it from behind.
"Ash, look!"
What Serena spotted was Xerneas grabbing Yveltal by the tail: obviously the previous attack was to take down the flyer pokémon, closer to Xerneas' reach. Yveltal tried its best to break free, but at the end Xerneas managed to overcome it and push it against the floor. Ash, Serena and their pokémon managed to land safely and at some distance.
"Yveltal looks like in serious trouble." Serena noticed, seeing Xerneas pressing its feet against its opponents' throat.
"We need to destroy the device Darkscream put on it, is the only the way to turn it back to normal." Ash recalled.
"There, I see it." Serena spotted it on Xerneas' chest. "Pikachu, Pancham, you gotta hit it the strongest you can until you break it. Use Iron Tail and Ice Punch."
Both little pokémon made their way to the legendary pokémon, jumping onto Xerneas' back and started the strategy, hitting the device as fast and strong as they could. That seemed to annoy Xerneas, starting to focus more on them than on Yveltal, which also realized the importance of the device Pikachu and Pancham were attacking. Reversing roles, Yveltal used its wings to immobilize Xerneas before attacking the device directly with Hyper Beam. The combined efforts of the three pokémon ended breaking the device. Xerneas' eyes turned back to normal, and the legendary pokémon ceased its attacks, but because of the effects of the dark energon it ended very weak, falling to its knees.
"They did it, Xerneas is free!" Ash celebrated.
Serena approached Xerneas and stroke its head. "It's okay now, you are safe."
"But we haven't finished yet, we need to stop the weapon. Let's see if the hole is big enough."
While Yveltal remained behind to check on its counterpart's condition, the couple and company headed to where the Axiom Cannon had been firing.
"Wow, that hole is bigger than the one we made." Serena observed.
"But the end is still not visible. It's not finished yet." Ash said looking inside.
Then a light appeared at the end of the way while some of the rocks moved. A hole was formed, from which Bonnie and Max looked.
"Max, Bonnie. What are you doing in there?" Serena asked.
"Serena, Ash, over here!" Max saluted.
"How did you managed to overcome the Decepticon defenses?" Ash asked.
"With an old friend's help." Bonnie answered while the entrance got bigger, revealing be done by the only one inside with them.
"Is that…?" Ash started.
"Zygarde?!" Serena ended.
"Yeah guys, Squishy is back!" Bonnie confirmed.
"Pika pika!" Pikachu saluted, earning a nod from the legendary pokémon.
The group stood in front of the weapon.
"It don't believe, it is real." Serena expressed.
"In that case we have to stop it before it gets fully functional. How do we do it?" Ash asked.
"Easy guys, we already took care of it." Max reassured them.
"Really?"
"Bonnie and I started to sabotage the machinery the Cons were using to power up the weapon, and Zygarde finished with everything else."
"And by what we heard from Knock Out it appears the energy necessary for the weapon to work is decreasing." Bonnie added.
"So we did it, we won." Ash declared.
"Allow me to disagree." Darkscream suddenly announced flying in.
The leader of the Seekers launched a machine, similar to a generator, into the structure and started to emanate a purple aura which flowed through the whole weapon. It looked like it was charging again.
"Ah, dark energon, always so reliable."
"Darkscream, what did you just do?" Ash demanded.
"Supply the weapon and the remaining energy with my personal source."
"Is that...dark energon?" Serena recognized.
"You cheater!" Max cursed.
"In war everything counts." Darkscream excused, right before dodging Zygarde's assault. "And finally the third shows up."
And not just Zygarde, Yveltal also flew inside, carrying Xerneas with its claws, putting it down safely before roaring back at Darkscream.
"Squishy, that's one of the worst. He's truly evil." Bonnie told to Zygarde.
"While they keep him busy you two try make the hole bigger. We must make sure the cannon's next shot hits the weapon directly." Ash suggested to Max and Bonnie pointing to the entrance.
"And us?" Serena asked.
"Let's see if we can overcharge the weapon by giving it more energy. Something aggressive as…"
"A Z-Move?"
"Yeah, that one."
While the two legendary pokémon faced Darkscream, countering his missiles with their attacks, Max and Bonnie started to pull rocks while Pikachu and Pancham used Iron Tail and Arm Thrust. Meanwhile, Serena and Ash called out Delphox and Torkoal, placed red Z-Crystal on their Z-Rings and performed the required moves.
"What?! Oh no, you won't!"
Darkscream was about to fire at them, but suddenly Dedenne appeared right in front of his eyes, it seemed he climbed on his back when he was near the floor.
"What?! What are you doing on my face! Get off now, you pathetic insect!"
Dedenne managed to get on his back and used Thunder Shock, affecting his propellers. That caused him to spin around without control, smashing himself against the walls, even the structure's parts.
"What have you done to my engines?! You'll pay for this!" Darkscream swore before Yveltal and Zygarde, as planned previously, hit him hard with both tails, knocking him out.
"Ready Ash?"
"Let's do it, Serena. Together."
"Double Inferno Overdrive!" The couple shouted.
Once their pokémon obtained the energy canalized by their trainers, they unleashed both Z-Moves of fire into the core of the weapon. The huge accumulation caused the energy to start destabilizing, starting to affect the structure's integrity. At the same time, the other duo managed to make the hole lot bigger.
"Guys, it's done!" Max announced.
"Think that will be enough?" Serena asked, before turning at the weapon, making a more alarming sound.
"We may have no time, it will have to work." Ash decided before using his Pokétch. "Optimus, if you can hear me we have cleared the way for the cannon to the weapon. You better fire it at full power now, we think the weapon is almost ready."
"Copy that, Ash. Ratchet, Clemont, maximum power to the cannon. Fire at will."
Clemon connected the Aipom arm to the cannon and started transferring energy, the same as Ratchet with his repair ray. This made the cannon to charge up faster, and once it was completely at its maximum fired a powerful shoot, one which penetrated right into the hole, making contact with the superweapon.
"Guys, you did it! It's a direct hit!" Ash reported.
"NOOOOO!" Darkscream shouted, once he went back. "We almost have it! You will pay for this! All remaining units, return to the warship!"
And as usual, the Decepticons retreated. However, the shot didn't destroy the weapon completely, just break some of its parts. That caused the energy to flow out of control.
"Uh oh, it seems it has gone haywire!" Max observed.
Then something happened: one purple stream emerged from the core and by surprise hit Serena, causing her to scream in pain before collapsing.
"Serena!" Ash yelled coming to her aid. "Ratchet, Serena has been hit by dark energon."
"The same as Xerneas. We have to take it to base for healing." Bonnie noticed. "Squishy, can you help us carrying it to base?"
"What about the weapon?" Seaspray reminded.
"It looks like it's energy has gone crazy because of the damage. Looks like it's going to explode." Max said.
"Team Prime, fall back." Elita ordered. "Guys, hand in there, we're coming for you."
"Fear nothing, Squishy will take us out." Bonnie reassured.
"Squishy?" Sunstreaker asked.
"Ups, sorry. I mean Zygarde."
Moonracer gasped in surprised. "I know who she means. Let's roll."
Ash carried his girlfriend with his arms before they four got on Zygarde's back, while Yveltal grabbed Xerneas. Moments after they exited through the hole, the weapon exploded in a wave of light and energy spreading toward them. The Autobots and the rest of the gang were already waiting for them ready to move, waiting for their friends. Once everyone reunited all disappeared into a ground bridge. Once at New Iacon, Clemont, Fixit, Ratchet, even Snorkel this time, were giving Xerneas the same treatment to combat dark energon, as well to Serena. Fortunately she wasn't exposed so long like when it happened to Max and the legendary pokémon, so after five minutes supplying the antidote she opened her eyes.
"Serena, how do you feel?" Ash asked concerned, sat next to her and holding her hand.
"A little tired, besides that everything right."
"Did you feel the same when Galvatron hit you?" Bonnie asked to Max.
"After Ratchet infused Bee's energon, just like that."
"Uff, thanks goodness." Tracey thanked.
"How about Xerneas?" Serena recalled.
"Ratchet, Clemont and Fixit are treating it as we speak." May answered.
"It seems because Xerneas used some of its energy on the weapon it will take a while to heal completely, but at least it's out of danger." Goh detailed.
"And free of the Decepticons' control, thank Arceus." Iris added.
"I didn't expect you to bring also the other most powerful legendary pokémon of Kalos." Ritchie mentioned, looking at Yveltal sitting on a higher platform of the room looking at the Autobots (at first it reacted with caution, until the gang's pokémon and the Dinobots Slash and Swoop assured it they were the good guys), and Zygarde approached the gang.
"Thanks for you help, Squishy." Bonnie thanked petting her huge friend on the head.
"Wait, what about the weapon?!"
"Don't worry Ash, Blaster has been checking the area after the explosion." Ultra Magnus started.
"And for once we can say it was an explosion without collateral damage." Wheeljack added.
"A controlled explosion? Is there even such a thing?" Dawn questioned.
"The blast radius was huge indeed, but fortunately it didn't affect the town nearby. Of course, now there's a huge crater where the weapon was supposed to be, without surviving traces of it anywhere." Blaster showed.
"At least a place people will be able to visit." Sideswipe pointed.
"And the fact that weapon cannot be used anymore by the Decepticons or anyone else."
"Indeed Predaking. But that should makes us wonder what other ancient human creations of evil nature may remain hidden in the vast surface of your planet." Optimus proclaimed.
"Or other forgotten secrets waiting to be discovered." Elita added.