40- Alola!
Days have passed since the Decepticons attempted to use Xerneas' power to activate Kalos' superweapon. The legendary pokémon was still on the recovery chamber of New Iacon, passing through a check of its condition, but it looked much better. Despite showing no more signs of dark energon infection, Ash remained next to Serena all the time. The other two legendary pokémon of Kalos were still present, waiting for their partner to be completely healed before returning back. In the meantime Yveltal allowed Tracey to make a whole picture of it and Goh to examine it for his next research, on the other hand Bonnie took the chance to enjoy with her old pal Zygarde, also known by her as Squishy.
"Okay, vital signs in good shape, internal systems at full capacity, physical locomotion normal, all signs indicate our patient's recovery is now complete. Xerneas is ready for departure." Ratchet announced.
"Are you sure is safe for Xerneas and the others to go back like that? What if the Cons attempt to control them again?"
"Fear nothing Ritchie." Optimus reassured. "With the weapon no more there's nothing else of great interest on Kalos for Darkscream which requires a great source of power."
"Besides, our new orbital sensors, placed discreetly on multiple human satellites, will detect any suspicious activity on different places of Earth right before they have the chance to make their move." Ultra Magnus added.
"Except with the employ of cloaking, like in case they want to deploy from the warship on a closer place from the surface." Wheeljack pointed.
"Surely now they know what could be after them so they will make sure to have learned. Is time for them to go home." Predaking supported opening a ground bridge.
"Bye bye Squishy! Let's play another time!" Bonnie saluted as Zygarde, Yveltal and Xerneas entered the portal back home on Kalos.
"Doesn't bother you having Ash stick on you all the time?" Misty asked.
"No. Just the contrary." Serena admitted, enjoying being between her boyfriend's arms.
"What are you doing, Clemont?" Max asked seeing him working on the terminal.
"The new scanners should be able to detect any underground cybertronian activity, allowing us to see energon mines under Decepticon or Star Seeker control."
"You are thinking on locating them for us disposing of them at the moment." Warpath deduced.
"And because the Cons think having tons of rock above them is all the cover they need spotting them will be an unexpected surprise." Seaspray added.
"For depleting their fuel supply. Is that right?" Elita sensed.
"Yes, but the probing has showed no results, that's the weird thing." Clemont said showing it.
"Maybe those new gadgets are broken, it use to happen with new creations and prototypes." Sunstreaker suspected.
"Or perhaps they are working properly, but there's no activity to track." Windblade theorized.
"Maybe the Decepticons already exploded completely all the natural deposits around all regions." Ratchet deduced, checking the map again.
"Which means it will be a matter of time until they are struggling for energon." Smokescreen said.
"So, does this means...we have won?" Sideswipe asked.
"What about Alola?" Ash said, making everyone look at him.
"Excuse us?" Swoop asked.
"Alo what?" Grimlock asked.
"Alola, the last region I visited." Ash recalled.
"Oh right, just where you learned about the Z-Moves." Ritchie recalled.
"When you went to school." Iris mentioned.
"Exactly." Ash nodded.
"Ash has a point there. We haven't had an encounter with the Decepticons on that region." May pointed.
"One that we know about." Arcee clarified.
"Is worth give it a try." Blaster said targeting the sensor map to the group of islands which formed Alola, and the results surprised him. "What do you know? Ash is right, there are multiple energon signals around that region."
"Which may draw the Cons and Thundertron's attention." Hot Rod deduced.
"The good news are that most of the energon concentrations are located right deep beneath the ocean floor, only a few ones located inland. If the Decepticons or Star Seekers want to extract the biggest amount the human and pokémon population will remain out of danger."
"So we should secure the few deposits located on the islands before they discover them." Moon suggested.
"Ash, you know that region better than any of us. Can you provide us with the right instructions to operate the best way on each one?"
"No problem Optimus. But it has been some time since I was there that maybe some things may have changed. I will have to ask directly to someone living there, like Professor Kukui."
"Maybe you should pay him a visit." Dawn suggested.
"And so to your friends there." Misty added.
"And that way we could also meet them." Bonnie followed.
"Then it's decided: Ash's group will search for updated situation on Alola, while we'll proceed to secure the most exposed energon reserves."
"There's something else, Optimus." Bumblebee stopped. "I just received an incoming transmission, sent directly to us. There's a small group of Autobots heading right to Earth, which has selected that region as rendezvous point."
"New Autobots are coming here?" Dawn asked excited.
"Yes, but not in the way of reinforcements. Report says only a few Autobots are experienced, the rest are new recruits."
"Which means we cannot allow the Decepticons to find them first, or they will be an easy target." Ultra Magnus understood.
"Blaster, track the signal, see if you can find the place where they will land. Autobots, prepare to roll out." Optimus commanded.
Fortunately for the vessel where the new Autobot recruits were coming, the Nemesis was right at the other side of the planet. However, the leaders also seemed interest on the new region.
"Hum, a new brand territory unexplored. Are you sure the readings are correct?"
"Yes Xiaxus. With confirmation of all energon deposits of the known regions completely depleted, these signals can only belong to unexploited mines located on a place no previously checked." Shockblast reported.
"Which means the Autobots and that pirate scum will be desperate for taking control of such fuel deposit. If we take control of it, we would have secured the last natural deposits of this planet." Darkscream observed.
"And our enemies would struggle to remain online."
"Knock Out, this is a private reunion. What's the meaning of this intrusion?" Xiaxus demanded.
"Just wanting to know our next step. With our last pets taken from us and the lack of info about other possible treasures for recovering, most members of the crew are wondering what our next step will be."
"Well, you have your answer now, doctor. And since you seem bored enough you can volunteer for the first recognition." Darkscream answered.
"Moi? Scouting around a human domain unexplored with who knows what may find? Hum, yeah, I think I can make time on my schedule for it."
Moments later, Knock Out boarded a Decepticon transport with a whole miner division. The ship exited the Nemesis and headed right to the Alola region. The trip was normal, until the ship's sensors detected something approaching them fast. It was two missiles, which hit the ship's engines, causing it to fall into the ocean, just where the islands of Alola started to get visible. Starquest flew above them, being the responsible one of the attack, while he headed to Alola as well. At the same time, the Autobot vessel divided into five parts which scattered around the islands of Alola like meteorites. Meanwhile, Ash and Pikachu stood in front of a house near the beach of Melemele Island. He knocked the door a few times, and a familiar man opened the door.
"Wow Ash, what a surprise."
"Professor Kukui, it's been a long time."
"Dear, come here. We have an unexpected visit."
Ash's former teacher stepped aside, allowing a woman, who was also carrying a little child on her arms, to see them.
"Ash, how nice is to see you again."
"Hi Professor Burnet, nice to see you too." Ash greeted, until he gasp in surprise at seeing the little child. "No way, is this your baby?"
"Yeah, very cute, right? His name is Lei, say hi!" Professor Burnet allowed.
"Hi little guy, nice to meet you. My name is Ash, and this is my buddy Pikachu."
"Pikachu." Pikachu saluted, making the baby to try to touche him. Ash gave his buddy a look, signal to let the baby to pet the little pokémon, which made him tickles.
"By the way Ash, I know of a few others who will be happy to know you are back."
Before Ash could ask to what Kukui said, he was tackled very fast, followed by laughs by licks on his face. It was because of his old pal, Lycanroc.
"Hahaha, stop it! Come on Lycanroc, I'm glad to see you too." Ash begged, right before he was grabbed by other of his pokémon. "Hey Incineroar, you look well."
"They have been waiting for you with us, even helping taking care of Lei." Professor Burnet added as the two remaining pokémon met with their trainer.
"Rowlet, Melmetal, you guys are here too." Ash saluted, seeing the huge metal pokémon in front of him while the flyer pokémon landed on his shoulder.
"Wow, all these pokémon are yours too?" Max asked, showing his friends were there as well.
"Oh, looks like you have brought company." Professor Burnet noticed.
"I suppose all these are your friends, right?"
"Indeed. Professor Kukui, Professor Burnet, you already know Misty, so meet my other friends: Ritchie, Serena, May and her little brother Max, Dawn, Tracey, Goh, Iris, Clemont and his little sister Bonnie." Ash introduced.
"It doesn't surprise me you have so many friends knowing how you are." Professor Burnet smiled. "Nice to meet you all."
"Same here." May appreciated.
"Hi." Goh saluted.
"It's an honor." Ritchie followed.
"Nice to meet you." Dawn added.
"And Ash's new pokémon too." Bonnie noticed.
"Oh, is this your child? It's so cute." Serena admired.
"Is it true Ash assisted here to school? How was his performance?"
"Iris! That's personal." Tracey defended.
"And why do you want to know? Maybe to improve your own school performance from when you were little?" Max teased.
"Hey, how do you know that?" Iris argued. "Smokey."
"Hehe, anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you, and being here on Alola." Clemont continued.
"This place is better than I expected." Max said looking around.
"Where are your other friends?" Goh asked.
"You mean Mallow, Kiawe, Lana, Lillie and Sophocles?" Professor Burnet supposed.
"Honestly I'm not sure. What I know is that currently they are all here on Melemele, but probably on different places. Try to look on the school, maybe you can find some there." Professor Kukui suggested.
"Sure thing professor." Ash nodded.
"Great, we are going to see where you learned all about Z-Moves." Dawn said excited.
"And also where he and the others performed as Ultra Guardians." Max mentioned.
"Guys, we are doing well. How are you going?" Tracey asked to his Pokétch.
Right at other island of Alola, on Akala, Elita, Optimus and Ratchet were checking the inside of the Dividing Peak Tunnel.
"Blaster just scanned the whole surface of the second island you mentioned, and we managed to secure the only energon deposit located inland." Elita reported while the observed the energon stocked on the tunnel.
"Guys, this is Warpath. Me, Wheeljack, Seaspray and Sunstreaker have just found the signal located here on Poni island." The Autobot tank communicated by com-link from the Vast Poni Cannyon.
"No sign of Cons or pirates yet, we beat them here." Wheeljack mentioned.
"I don't see them here as well. Looks like they didn't noticed the one from Blush Mountain Blaster's Minibots and Drift secured here on Ula'ula. Who named the islands like that?" Windblade added, watching over the Minibots in vehicle form.
"Good, Ultra Magnus and the others should be scouting the island you're currently on in search of its right now." Elita reported.
"Good, the sooner we take those energon stockpiles the sooner we will secure the islands' populations." Clemont nodded.
"Commander, status report." Optimus called, opening his com-link.
"Still on the move, trying to reach our target." Ultra Magnus responded while he and Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Smokescreen, Arcee, Moonracer and Hot Rod were driving on a road in vehicle form.
"By the way, where is the place exactly?"
"Moon, seriously? The Verdant Cavern, it should be right passing a few woods." Arcee remembered.
"Don't forget, keep your eyes open in case you detect something suspicious. Blaster found a few escape pods on the locations the ship's signal scattered, the rookies may be out there." Optimus recalled.
"By the way, have you met with your local pals?"
"No Hot Rod, not yet." Misty answered.
Speaking about Ash's friends from Alola, Kukui was right that the 5 of them were on Melemele, right outside Lillie's mansion.
"Thank you for all your help." Lillie appreciated. "Specially you, Kiawe."
"No problem. You are lucky I had little work today and I was passing through." Kiawe said while his Charizard helped carrying a heavy metal box.
"By the way, what is this exactly?" Mallow asked looking the item.
"No idea. Lillie's brother Gladion found it in middle of the woods one day and called Aether Foundation, so they can analyze it back on headquarters." Sophocles explained. "I'm curious, what it could be?"
"Oh, maybe it's an object fallen from the sky. A lost creation which belongs to an advanced race from outer space."
"Lana, stop already. Who's gonna believe that?" Mallow argued.
"Why not? After the Ultra Beasts I already believe everything."
"You're right, but I don't think we should get too far." Kiawe opined.
While everyone was laughing they didn't realize they were being watched by a curious car: a white and blue Ferrari 458 Italia, which had a familiar emblem on the wheel and an advanced screen which showed a beeping point. That was also on the screen on another vehicle: a blue and white police SUV, some kind of purple submarine on the ocean, a light blue rescue helicopter and an orange payloader, each vehicle on far locations, but moving at the same point. Seeing the kids were distracted talking the car zoomed to the box Charizard was carrying, and it drove silently. It moved right behind the pokémon, who was looking for somewhere were placing the item, turned and saw the car's trunk open, so he placed it in.
"Wow Lillie, I didn't know your mother bought a new car."
"What? What are you saying, Mallow? She didn't." Lillie confessed as everyone got around seeing the car. "Honestly, I don't know where this car came from, and what it's doing here."
"One thing sure, since it's from a last model it must be extremely expensive." Sophocles deduced.
Lana opened one door and took a look to the inside. "Yeah, check how futurist the inside looks."
"What do you think we should do with it?"
"I don't see anyone nearby and it doesn't have a note on the glass either, so I cannot say if has been abandoned or if it belongs to someone. But one thing for sure it looks like it gave Charizard a relief." Kiawe noticed seeing the item placed now in the trunk before retrieving his pokémon.
"Hey, maybe we could use it to take the item to Lillie's mom so she can take it to the lab." Mallow suggested, making everyone to get into the car.
"But guys, we don't know how to drive a car." Lillie pointed.
"Kiawe." Lana started looking at him.
"What? Why are you looking at me that way?"
"You are the oldest of us, and since you ride Charizard from one island to another…"
"Oh no, don't go that way. One thing is flying with my pokémon, but ridding a car is another whole different thing!"
As they argued, Sophocles noticed the strange symbol on the wheel.
"I've never seen a symbol like this. Who made this car?"
Suddenly a few motorcycles with masked men approached them from the horizon, something that Sophocles and Lillie's pokémon, Togedemaru and Snowy, noticed and warned.
"Em guys, we have trouble." Sophocles pointed.
"Team Skull again?" Kiawe suspected.
"And here?" Mallow added.
"No, that doesn't look like them. More like a few thieves officer Jenny warned, they have been spotted around town." Lillie clarified.
"Uh oh, we should do something." Lana insisted.
"I'm on it, I'm calling mom right away."
"You better warn your brother as well." Kiawe advised.
Before Lillie could reach her phone, the car suddenly turned on its engine and started driving, passing between the bandits, who decided to follow after them.
"Woah, what's going on?!" Lillie asked alarmed.
"I don't know! This thing is moving!" Kiawe answered.
"You mean...it drives by itself?!" Sophocles asked in disbelief.
"Guys, we also have company." Lana added looking through the rear-view.
"Hey, stop the car! Deliver the box!" One of the thieves demanded.
"We are not driving it! Please, help us out!" Mallow excused immediately.
Kiawe tried to open his door, but it was no use. "I can't open it, it must be stuck!"
"One thing for sure, we are gonna be in a huge mess." Lana said.
In front of them stood a rock which acted like a ramp, and the car headed right for it, jumping like a professional, making the kids yell. That act made most of the motorcycles to follow it that way, making a few of them to not calculate the jump well and land hardly. The chase continued through a path surrounded by trees. There the gang stood surrounding the car and started hit it from all angles. Before the kids could summon their pokémon to combat them, the car did something unexpected: it a weird light emanated from it, and when it was done five cars exactly the same where driving around it. The kids saw in disbelief this, seeing the reflections of themselves on the other cars looking at them smirking. The car copies headed different ways, making the bandits to doubt which one to follow, and ended splitting up. However none of the cars they chose was the real one: one disappeared before reaching a boulder, which made some to smash against it; other followed another which was no more once they entered a huge pond of mud, leaving their bikes stuck; others simply stopped and looked themselves confused after the car disappeared but the one who ended worst was the leader, who didn't know he was following another fake right at the edge of the road, ending falling above a public fountain, where for his misfortune was officer Jenny with other cops sat on a nearby table. At the same time, the real car entered inside Ruins of Conflict.
"Wait, hold on! Slow down!" Kiawe protested.
"We are not being followed anymore, so you can stop." Lillie begged.
Right at stopping, the car opened both doors of one side, launching everyone out.
"Huh guys, we are inside the Ruins of Conflict." Lana noticed.
"Then I hope Tapu Koko is not here now, because I'm gonna have a few words with that car!" Kiawe shouted heading right for it.
"Wait Kiawe! We don't know what kind of car it is." Lillie stopped.
"Or what else it does. Though I gotta admit that was an impressive display of technology. Were those...holograms?" Sophocles started.
"Not to mention it drove pretty well."
"How can you say that, Mallow?" Kiawe demanded.
"Well, we didn't end hurt, we managed to loss those thieves and we still have the box secured."
Immediately the kids heard weird noises coming from the car and in the moment they turned saw it changing form, revealing to be a cybertronian.
"WOOOOOHOOO! That felt good! Get some oil pumping, you know? Wow, after been stuck on a space shuttle forever, dude, I can't tell you how stressful it feels. But now it feels good to be back in the field, stretch my legs and drive all the way down the road. And leaving a few shocked faces by the surprise." The new Autobot said to himself, not aware that the children were seeing him all the time, showing faces of surprise, shock and disbelief. "Oh right, this is probably a lot for you, huh?" He said approaching them.
"Don't get closer! Back off!" Kiawe warned immediately grabbing a big tree trunk as weapon, with Snowy and Togedemaru besides him.
"Woah, woah, what's with the aggression, kid? I though after the getaway chase we were all pals. Are you gonna hit me?"
"Perhaps, if I see you are dangerous."
The Autobot chuckled. "Seriously? You really think that's gonna work, against this?" The Autobot turned his hand into a laser weapon aiming at them, leaving Kiawe without words and almost dropping the trunk.
"Woah, that's some advanced tech." Sophocles admired.
"Are you going to fire us, with that weapon?" Lillie asked terrified behind Lana and Mallow and hugging her pokémon.
But the Autobot retrieved the gun. "Hum, you look like tough kids, I like it. I like that a lot, but relax, I'm one of the good guys."
"What are you? Some kind of possessed car or something similar?" Lana asked.
"Nah, that's not real, gal. I'm an alien."
"What? A real extraterrestrial, not a pokémon or Ultra Beast? I always wondered if we are not alone in the universe." Sophocles said surprised.
"Well congratulations kiddo, you are lucky."
"So, what exactly are you?" Mallow asked.
"It's...complicated to tell by the long way, shortcut: a living robot from outer space. The name's Mirage." The Autobot introduced himself, approaching them his fist closed. "Come on, give me, give me, give me a little tap."
"A tap?" Lana, Lillie and Sophocles asked surprised.
"I think he means fist bump, something performed by friend gangs to express excitement." Kiawe deduced.
"Oh, you mean like...this?" Mallow said fist bumping her with Mirage's.
"There you go, now we're friends." Mirage celebrated cheered.
Mallow laughed. "You look like a cool guy, Mirage. I like you."
"You too for me, little girl. What's your name?"
"I'm Mallow. And these are my friends, Lana, Lillie, Sophocles and Kiawe. Easy guys, he looks friendly."
Then they heard horn sounds coming from the entrance.
"Oh great, the rookies are here." Mirage said with a little disappointed tone.
"What? There are more like you?" Kiawe asked alarmed.
"Like me? No, but stay cool so they don't alarm and crush you by accident."
Immediately the other four vehicles entered the ruins: the SUV transformed into a tough looking robot, but by the face it was clear it was a female robot; the payloader transformed into a young looking robot (much younger than the ones from Team Prime) and the rescue helicopter placed the submarine, which was carrying, on the floor before this changed into another female robot, the same as the helicopter, this one looking like a young girl of the others' same age.
"Mirage, what have you done?" The female robot which was the submarine asked.
"Chill out Nautica, everything's under control."
"You brought natives here?" The SUV robot demanded with a serious look.
"Hey, good to see you're fine too, Strongarm."
"We all were instructed to not drag attention."
"Correction: suspicious attention, this was just a crazy coincidence. You see, when I already figured out the meeting point these kids were already in the car."
"Besides Strongarm, he's more of a war veteran than you so technically he doesn't need to follow your instructions." The young payloader robot pointed.
"Ah...thanks Wedge, really, but I can handle this myself."
"Wonderful, our first time on a new world and we have already been exposed to humans." Strongarm complained.
"Woah, so those are humans?" The young helicopter female robot said with enthusiasm before touching Lana's head gently with one finger. "They look so cute."
"Whirl. Remember what we talked about back in the ship?"
"Oh right, sorry Nautica. It's just I cannot believe we are finally going to receive proper training after a long time since officially joining the Autobot ranks."
Strongarm sighed in disbelief. "Why did I have to end with a bunch of recruits and troublemakers?"
"And you also better know your position the same, cadet. For the moment we are alone, and so the best way for a course of action is deciding between everyone." Nautica decided.
"Okay, now that everything is solved, allow me to properly introduce…" Mirage started, but Nautica gasped in surprise once she set optics on what her pal had at hand.
"Mirage, where did you find that?"
"This? Oh, actually, I didn't. It was them, they had it when I met them. I simply carried it safely, you're welcome."
Nautica approached and crouched to their height. "Easy, we Autobots don't hurt innocent lifeforms. You have my word."
"Truly?" Lillie repeated, still a little nervous.
"Take it easy, little human. We may don't like it, but some of us are actually like you. I mean, we are almost the same age as you, in cybertronian terms." Whirl reassured them.
"Yeah, you can say we are kids too." Wedge supported.
The look of innocence of the young Autobots' eyes was what Lillie needed to let go her fear. "The truth is we didn't find this, we were simply going to carry to where it is supposed to be studied."
"In that case, why not deliver it back to us?" Mirage suggested.
"Huh? Why?" Kiawe asked.
"Is it yours? You know what it is?" Sophocles asked in disbelief.
"It's an overshield, a simple but very effective defensive item, capable of protecting its user from a certain amount of damage. Many of these were used during the war for Cybertron, and no one knows how many still exist. This could be the last one in the entire universe." Nautica narrated.
"What do you know? You were right, Lana. It is an alien artifact." Mallow said.
"Well, I wasn't serious. I was just joking in that moment." Lana admitted embarrassed.
"This item could prove vital for the Autobot cause. We must keep it until meeting with ours stationed here." Strongarm suggested.
"Speaking of fact, I think I detected a few peculiar signals right here, on this island. We should check it out, in case they are friendly." Whirl added.
"And then, what do we do?"
"Nah, let all worries slide away pal, I'll handle this." Mirage offered while he approached the group. "Hey guys, I know this may be asking you much, but think you can give us a hand on this matter?" The group didn't respond, yet. "Listen, you just help us reunite with our friends, deliver this important device to a safe spot, and once done I'll take you a ride back home and everyone keeps their happy life with no worries. What do you say?"
"Hmm, are you saying you, giant extraterrestrial machines from outer space, want us, a simple group of children and pokémon, to help you deliver an important technology?" Sophocles repeated.
"What do you think?" Kiawe asked.
"It doesn't sound hard, either dangerous." Mallow supported.
"It may be fun. After all, we are the Ultra Guardians." Lana reminded.
"Okay, as long as our parents don't know about it." Lillie accepted.
"Okay, we're in." Mallow responded.
"Cool, that's what I wanted to hear. I knew I could count with you." Mirage appreciated before returning with his pals. "They come."
Moments later, the new Autobots got out in vehicle form, heading back to the road, this time with the humans with them. Unfortunately, once back in the road, they were very exposed, specially Nautica and Whirl, because of a submarine being dragged by a pair of cars and a helicopter near them. And also when Axer was nearby, he noticed this.
"Well well, too much coincidence humans are moving all different vehicles in the same formation? I don't think so." The Star Seeker deduced before starting launching missiles.
Inside Mirage…
"Well look at it, it feels nice driving like this while seeing the view out of the window." Mallow admired.
"Ha, if this looks nice to you how about this?" Mirage started before opening the window, allowing fresh air to circulate.
"Ha, much better." Mallow appreciated, letting her hair blowing by the wind.
"I think you're the only one who's enjoying this." Lillie said trying to not lose her hat, until Snowy licked her, making her laugh. "Well, maybe Snowy too."
"Looks like you were right, this doesn't look harmful at all." Kiawe admitted, until a missile exploded next to them. "Regret that."
"What's going on?" Strongarm demanded.
"Above us guys, looks like we got company." Nautica warned.
"What? Right now? I'm not ready for action yet!"
"Easy Wedge, I'll handle it. I will draw its attention so you can get away."
"Whirl wait! Don't do anything reckless!"
But Nautica's warnings reached late: Whirl already turned back and headed against Axer. The Star Seeker didn't understand why the Autobot was flying at him, thinking it was a craziness. At the end Whirl's plan was making Axer to dodge her blades, threatening to end with a few cuts in vehicle form. She also managed to convince the pirate to follow her between the woods.
"Wow, that was very brave." Lillie admired, looking out of the window.
"And very reckless, she has no battle experience." Strongarm complained.
"What do you expect? She has the spark of an Autobot." Mirage opined.
Whirl's way through the woods was very hard, taking care of not touche the trees with her blades. But Axer wasn't having better luck either, he was struggling to target her with his weapons.
"Arg, I'm tired of chasing a daredevil Bot which wants to be hard to catch flying through the messiest place of all!" Axer cursed before firing a storm of missiles.
The good thing was Axer fired the missiles without having Whirl on his site, so they impacted on different areas, covering a huge area in flames. Thinking she was caught, he left. The explosions were also witnessed by our heroes.
"Whoa, what was that?" Ritchie asked.
"One thing for sure, it can't be Team Skull's undoing." Ash responded.
"Guys, it appears to be a commotion here on the island, into the woods."
"It could be the new recruits stuck in some trouble, thanks for the warning Tracey. Autobots, meet up with our companions to ensure their safety, I'll investigate." Ultra Magnus commanded before separating from the team.
Meanwhile, the other Autobots decided to try using the woods to make their chasers lose them, but it was too thick for their size, so they allowed the humans to go ahead.
"What was that about?" Lillie asked.
"Perhaps someone else is interested on this." Kiawe deduced, carrying the box with the overshield.
Before deciding what to do next, they got surprised when Starquest transformed and landed in front of them.
"In the name of… Where did you humans get that? Give it to me, now." The Star Seeker demanded.
"Hey you, space buccaneer, stay away from my friends!" Mirage demanded aiming him his gun.
"Em, Mirage?!" Mallow said.
"Don't worry girl. Your boy got this."
Suddenly he was pinned down by Sandstorm. "Haha, what were you saying, pipsqueak?"
"Imminent danger, imminent danger!"
"Hey hey, not so fast." Strongarm stopped arriving, aiming some kind of cybertronian handgun at Mirage's oppressor.
But Axer came flying from behind and run over her before transforming. "You were planning of threatening us with the little gun? Ha, don't make me laugh."
"Yeah, these are true guns." Sandstorm proclaimed aiming his cannons at Mirage.
"Hey, one more action and you may be the one with a serious physical problem. I know how to use this." Nautica warned arriving next to him with an electric staff similar to Knock Out's.
The children were the real terrified ones there: being in middle of a stalemate of an alien confrontation they knew nothing about, and no one knew who was going to act first. Until a truck appeared between the trees and tackled Axer, transformed and engaged Starquest. That allowed Mirage to kick Sandstorm on the face, forcing him back and allowing the Autobot to shot him.
"By the Allspark, is that…?" Strongarm started, recognizing the Autobot who came to the rescue.
"Rookies, retreat. I'll hold them off." Magnus instructed while he rumbled with Starquest and opened one of his shoulders, firing the plasma cannon at Axer and sending him flying away. "Undisciplined, useless scrap." He said while inflicting a hint on the pirate's back and dodging his fist. He also noticed the gang. "Humans, get out of here!"
They didn't hesitate to obey the new robot's order and ran into the woods. After a while they reached the road, where after seeing they were not being followed, they could finally breath in peace.
"Did you think we are safe?" Lillie asked, breathing hard.
"Just in case we should be ready for anything that could happen." Kiawe said summoning his strongest pokémon. "Turtonator, stay sharp for anything that may come out of the woods."
"Togedemaru, where are you going?!" Sophocles shouted, noticing his pokémon heading to the end of the road.
Suddenly, from the edge where the road started Pikachu showed up, surprising the electric pokémon, which reacted happily and saluted him.
"What's that Pikachu doing here?" Mallow wondered.
"No clue, but it seems Togedemaru looks happy to see it. Perhaps it's a friend." Lana suggested.
"Hold on. If that's the reason, then maybe…"
Before Sophocles could end his sentence a recognizable boy appeared behind Pikachu. One which made them all smile.
"I don't believe it." Lillie started.
"It's Ash!" Kiawe followed.
"He's back!" Sophocles ended.
"Hey guys, long time no see ya." Ash saluted approaching them.
"This is a very nice surprise." Mallow said after giving Ash a hug. "But when have you returned?"
"And why?" Lana added.
"Well, it's hard to explain."
"What is hard to explain is what happened to us this morning." Kiawe started.
"But also I wanted to see you again. So I can introduce you to everyone." Ash continued, turning at where he came, and so his friends appeared.
"Hi there."
"Misty, so great to see you again. Your hair now looks beautiful, almost like a mermaid." Lana expressed.
"So these are the friends you made here on Alola."
"Indeed Tracey. Meet Kiawe, Lana, Lillie, Mallow and Sophocles, the Ultra Guardians." Ash introduced.
"Ah, are these cuties your pokémon?" Bonnie asked looking at Snowy and Togedemaru.
"Yes, this is my buddy, Snowy." Lillie introduced taking her pokémon.
"I've never seen an ice type Vulpix." Max said impressed.
"It must be one of those pokémon which elemental type changes because of the environment." Clemont deduced. "And this is an electric type, right?"
"Yeah, Togedemaru is my buddy." Sophocles confirmed.
"And this one?" Iris asked noticing Turtonator.
"This is Turtonator, is a fire and dragon pokémon." Kiawe presented.
"Whoa, a dragon type? That explains it looks so cool. It's a great pleasure to meet a pokémon like you." Iris said in excitement, not aware of where she was going to put her hands on.
"Iris wait, don't touch Turtonator's spikes!" Ash yelled.
"They are extremely explosive!" Kiawe added.
"Huh? Ups sorry, it's my curiosity." Iris apologized.
"Who's now acting like a child?" Dawn teased.
"Piplup."
"You have a Piplup? It's so cute and so little." Lana admired, but she made Piplup cross his arms mad. "Oh, did I say something bad?"
Ritchie laughed. "No, it's just that Piplup doesn't like to be judge by his size."
"Guys, these are my other friends: Ritchie and his Pikachu Sparky are also from Kanto and Tracey works at Professor Oak's lab as his assistance; May and her little brother Max are from Hoenn, and she performs at pokémon contests, the same as Dawn and Piplup, who come from Sinnoh; Goh is a pokémon researcher; Clemont is an inventor and a gym leader from Kalos, and Bonnie is his little sister; and believe it or not Iris is Unova's champion. And this is Serena." Ash introduced.
"Hi everyone, nice to meet you." Serena saluted.
"And she's Ash's girlfriend." May added.
"AH! No way, really?! That's a total surprise!" Mallow couldn't avoid said.
"It's so nice to meet you all, Ash's friends." Lillie greeted.
"Welcome to our home, or I better say Alola." Sophocles followed.
"What a nice group of friends, as expected from you, Ash." Kiawe said, right before approaching Iris. "So, you must very special if you managed to become champion of a whole region at your age."
"Well it wasn't easy, I even didn't believe it myself when it happened. Hum, giving by your looks you must be a very mature and responsible person, Kiawe."
"Haha, you have a pretty good sight." Kiawe admitted, blushing a little embarrassed.
"We were heading for the school thinking we'll find you there. That's what Professor Kukui told us." Goh shared.
"Actually, you are not going to believe what just happened to us." Lillie started.
"What happened?" Ritchie asked.
Before they could respond, they saw Whirl and Wedge walking out of the woods, standing in front of everyone.
"Huh? Guys? Easy, don't freak out." Kiawe started, not knowing how to start.
"This has an explanation." Sophocles continued.
"Well look at that, we have found the Autobot rookies." May observed.
"Huh? What did you say?" Lana asked surprised and confused.
"Why aren't you surprised? They are giant robots standing in front of all us." Lillie recalled.
"Well, you see…" Misty started while the group noticed more vehicles approaching behind them.
"It's okay guys, they already know." Max communicated.
At hearing him, the Autobots transformed, surprising the Alola gang even more.
"What in the...How did you…?" Mallow tried.
"It happened right after I returned back home, when the league was over. I didn't expect them so earlier." Ash admitted.
"Are they...friendly too?" Lillie trembled asking.
"No way, it's...Bumblebee. And Hot Rod." Wedge expressed in disbelief.
"They are two of the most veteran warriors of the war for Cybertron." Whirl added, trying to hold her enthusiasm.
"Are you rookies okay?" Smokescreen asked.
"Are you alone?" Moon added.
Right in that moment Mirage rolled out of the woods. "Don't worry pals, I'm fine. Seriously, this is not my first dance with notorious, cold-spark killing machines." He said, right before setting eyes on the group. "Hey Bee, long time no see ya! And Hot, and Cee too!"
"Mirage?" Bumblebee recognized impressed.
"And wow, you got your voice back. You have no idea how comforting is to see you again."
Hot Rod clapped his hand with Mirage's. "It's good to see you too, buddy."
"Did you come with the rookies?" Arcee asked.
"Yeah, and a couple of familiar faces on the way." Mirage answered while pointing behind him, right where Strongarm and Nautica were coming.
"Nautica?" Moonracer saw.
"Arcee, Moonracer, you made it. How long has it been, since the fall of Cybertron?" The aquatic Autobot saluted.
"These are the new recruits?" Dawn observed.
"Does the native population of this world already know about us?" Strongarm asked, surprised at seeing all kids not reacting weird to their presence.
"No, just a few special ones." Hot Rod clarified.
"Mirage and Nautica are known old comrades. We used to battle alongside Mirage thousands of battles, where his specialty of making illusions came in handy." Bumblebee presented.
"While Nautica used to be part of our engineering crew, if you need something fixed she will put it back together." Arcee followed.
"If there's no problem on asking, I've noticed your vehicle parts look a little different from most of you." Clemont noticed.
"That's because she's an aquatronian, from a cybertronian colony which inhabitants adapted to its aquatic environment with specialized alt forms. Her vehicle form was very similar to a submarine." Hot Rod revealed.
"So you mean she's an aquatic Autobot?" Max translated.
"Wow, that sounds really interesting. You must see everything underwater like no one else." Lana admired.
"Well thanks, huh…" Nautica started.
"Lana."
"And you, rookies?" Smokescreen called.
"Cadet Strongarm, from Elite Guard. Standing by and ready for service."
"Wow, seriously? He, it feels good to meet a fellow member of the Elite Guard. I'm corporal Smokescreen, by the way."
"Nice to meet you, sir."
"My name's Wedge, and this is my pal Whirl."
"We are so fortunate to be here with all of you. Are there more Autobots stationed here like you? Maybe Optimus Prime?"
"Wow wow, easy kid. Talk about lively recruits." Sideswipe calmed down.
"Those two look like kids." Dawn noticed.
"Yeah, like almost our age." Serena nodded.
"Tell me, have you seen the commander?"
Smokescreen's question got answered when they heard a commotion near them: Ultra Magnus and Starquest continued rumbling down a hill, heading to the shore.
"That was Ultra Magnus, right?" Strongarm asked.
"Looks like he's still dealing with those trouble-seeking green guys who messed with us." Mirage reported.
"The Star Seekers." Bee snarled.
"The rogue Autobots and Decepticons?" Whirl said.
"They must be tracking the energon sources." Arcee deduced.
"There's energon, here?" Wedge added.
"We better give him a hand." Hot Rod suggested.
"Wait sir, the commander told us to fall back to safety. And according to Autobot procedure, regulatio section 3 says never disobey a superior's direct order." Strongarm objected projecting from her hand a hologram.
"Oh seriously? Does this looks time to follow nonsense rules? Scratch that, I'm going down." Sideswipe interrupted jumping down the hill.
"What's his problem?"
"He has a point. Nautica, take the rookies to a hideout, don't come out until the coast is clear; Ash, you and your friends go to a safe spot. Everyone else, let's roll out." Bumblebee instructed.
"But sir."
Strongarm was ignored as everyone mobilized. The other Autobots followed Sideswipe's lead and descended to assist their commander. The gang was surprised when Axer and Sandstorm came out of the woods in front of them, but fortunately Hot Rod stood between them and unleashed some kind of shock wave which pushed the Star Seekers back hard.
"Thanks Hot." Ash appreciated.
"Tell it to my brand new ability." The red Autobot corrected before going after his teammates.
"What now? Is there a place nearby where we can go?" Tracey asked.
"I think I know where." Sophocles suggested.
Back with the Autobots, Starquest and Ultra Magnus ended rolling downhill, but the Star Seeker was the first one back on his feet and started stomping the Autobot commander hard. Sideswipe arrived just in time to kick him on the back, but the pirate resisted and grabbed him before launching him next to Magnus.
"I admire your perseverance Autobots, but if you continue like this you'll die on this speck of dust." Starquest threatened preparing his melee weapons.
"Someone called for backup?!" Moonracer announced, hooked to Smokescreen firing while he drove in vehicle form.
Starquest was forced to use his weapons to deflect as much shots as he could. Suddenly the duo noticed Sandstorm arriving in vehicle form, and aiming at them.
"Wow, brake, brake, brake, brake!" Moon insisted at seeing coming missiles fired by the Star Seeker tank.
Smokescreen started to drift along the way, trying to change course, evading the missiles. One flew very near his partner, almost hitting the top of his back, but managed to dodge in the last second, making her yell by the success while continue firing.
"Hey, if you are done with the firefight, need I to remind you that the humans are in possession of the overshield?!"
"You're right Axer, this is irrelevant. You are lucky we are in a hurry, we'll dance another time, Autobots." Starquest saluted before they transformed and flew away.
"Ultra Magnus, are you okay?" Hot Rod asked as he and the others arrived.
Magnus groaned. "A few dents, but I'm fine."
"They are leaving, probably heading for the island's deposit." Arcee pointed.
"Actually, I think they looked more interested on that overshield the humans took with them." Mirage recalled.
"Which means they could be in great danger, we have to call everyone back." Bee decided as he used the com-link. "Bumblebee to Team Prime, we need everyone right here with us, converge in our location. Hello? Anyone receives me? Scrap, I can only hear static."
"Hum, now I recall: I swear my optics, audio and other systems acted a little glitched when I was near that tough looking Star Seeker."
"Starquest must have brought a communication scrambler with him, making us unable to call for backup." Moon suspected.
"It would have ended better if we all would have gone by the book." Strongarm opined.
"What? Okay, I don't know who do you think you are but you have already been here for a short period of time and I already think you're a totally freak about rules." Sideswipe protested.
"If we don't do things as we are supposed to all our duties will result in failure and defeat!"
"Enough! We don't have for this. Right now we must find our friends before the Star Seekers. Sir, you've already wrestled, so better stay here and rest." Bee interrupted.
Ultra Magnus nodded to him in agreement before the Autobots followed Bumblebee, except Strongarm, who stayed behind scratching her arm like if it sting. He noticed something was bothering her, so he tried to stand up and walk to her.
"Whoa, easy sir, safe your strength." Strongarm said helping him. "Commander Ultra Magnus, I must say it's an honor to serve under your instruction. Cadet Strongarm, of the Elite Guard."
"Surely you must know the whole regulation from beginning to end." Magnus said while sitting next to her. "I've noticed you seem a little unwell, cadet."
"Just...surprised by the recent acting performed by the team, sir. When I was forming myself at the academy I made sure to memorize all points of procedure, make sure I had all necessary to keep on my education before the exodus. Didn't have much time to gain experience on our home planet."
"And you decided to prepare yourself for the immediate moment of deploy, quite a well forethought."
"Sir, I have noticed Smokescreen is also Elite Guard as us, but if that's the case why he doesn't act as such?"
"We all knew how to perform things back on Cybertron, in and outside battlefield, preparations, strategies and command. Once left all that behind we all should expect things would change, but I guess some ones take longer in adapting to changes."
"And you did?"
"It wasn't easy at the beginning, specially having to dealt with rogue ones as Wheeljack, until Optimus told me something I didn't know: at arriving Earth, the Autobots started to act as something more greater than a well disciplined and organized army, something they learned from watching the natives of this planet."
"Exactly what?"
"Family. The humans started to show us the way they and pokémon uses to interact, and that way we learned how to...tolerate our differences and improve our way to interact with others. Is true that protocol can bring discipline and stability to a unit, but it can also limit our capabilities and unable us to evolve. By that way, sometimes rules must be broken for a greater good."
Those words made Strongarm reflect about her known teachings and how the team acted compared to them. Meanwhile, the gang finally reached the place they chose for hideout.
"Ash, is this…?"
"Yes Max, this is the school Pikachu and I attended with my friends while I was here."
"Wow, it's huge." Bonnie admired.
"And very beautiful." Dawn added.
"You have to tell me which things you learned here, Ash. Specially from Professor Oak's relative." Tracey recalled.
"It has everything a proper pokémon school requires." Kiawe said.
"We used to carry out looks of different activities related with pokémon." Lillie continued.
"Including about Z-Moves?" Ritchie asked.
"Yeah, specially that." Lana confirmed.
"So, what happened when exams came?"
"Iris, we didn't have exams." Sophocles revealed.
"What, you didn't need to exam about anything? I should have come here when I used to assist school when I was little."
"Pi?"
"What is it, buddy? Something's wrong?" Ash asked.
"We got company." Goh spotted pointing at a hill from the school, seeing the 3 Star Seekers transforming and landing on top.
"How did they find us?" Misty asked in disbelief.
Surprisingly one of the Star Seekers came up with the same question.
"How did you figure out we might find those humans here?" Sandstorm asked.
"This is one of those places humans used to refer as schools, a place where they send their sparklings to learn and educate. So what better place to find so young humans?" Axer responded.
"I see you have taking your role seriously about learning from the human society." Starquest nodded before advancing. "Let's find that artifact."
The Star Seekers headed for the school, making the gang look the best place for hiding.
"Why are they coming here? Think they're searching for our secret base?" Mallow suggested.
"Secret base?" Tracey asked.
"Yeah, the secret base beneath school which we Ultra Guardians uses when there's an emergency." Lana revealed.
"Your base is right beneath our feet?!" Max repeated in disbelief.
"No, if I recall the big robot said he wanted us to give him this." Kiawe pointed showing the box.
"What it is? Another ancient relic of the Primes?" May asked.
"What was it as Nautica called it? An overshield?" Mallow reminded.
"Yes, a powerful device which grants a defensive boost against enemy fire." Wedge answered, appearing out of nowhere alongside Whirl.
"Hey, what are you two doing here?!" Ritchie demanded.
"Isn't obvious? We came to help our teammates." Whirl answered.
"Well you shouldn't come, this is dangerous for a pair of kids." Iris objected.
"Look who's talking. You are pygmies compared to us." Wedge answered back, making some of the kids laugh while Iris got red of annoyance.
"What she meant is that you haven't experienced action like this, not like us. And we cannot make focus on ensuring you don't end hurt if the worst happens." Serena explained.
"That comes for you too guys. You are not accustomed to this kind of mess, you get somewhere safe with the artifact. We'll handle this." Ash told to his friends of Alola.
"That's true, but as Autobots we are it's also our duty to protect innocent lifeforms from the evil which let our world to ruin, so we want to help." Whirl defended.
"That count for us too, this is our school and we are the only ones right now who can defend it." Kiawe supported.
"Besides, we have already dealt with Ultra Beasts, this is nothing new, mostly." Sophocles added.
Ash smiled at the fact his others friends wanted to help. "Okay, you can help. And I know of a few other friends who will be glad to assist."
"Not just that, I think I know how we can beat them here, in our field."
Moments later, the trio of pirates was taking a look to the school's outside until Starquest deduced where the humans may lure, heading for the main building. He was right: the group was seeing them coming, but they looked determined to face them smart, now with Alola Ash's pokémon present as well.
"Open up humans, we know you're in there." Sandstorm started.
"Come out, and we will not hurt you." Axer followed.
Both shut up after receiving a slap on the face by Starquest. "Are you both fools? You are starting to give them reason enough to mistrust us. We must approach them by a different perspective."
"Huh?" Both asked confused.
"I'm sure if we convince them we are not a treat as they think we may obtain the item by a more peaceful and faster way."
"Oh, you mean outsmart them and make them believe other truth."
"That's right."
"Yeah, they are children. And children are stupid." Sandstorm proclaimed.
"You are stupid as well." Axer commented.
"What? What do you mean with that?!"
"Shh, enough you two." Starquest silenced before addressing to the building. "Good day, human neighbors, my apologies for our first encounter. You see, you may not realize but the artifact which lays on your hands is actually ours, so you have indirectly steal it. But don't worry, we are not mad at you, we just want to recover it. We'll take it with us and you will never have to worry about seeing our faces again, you have my word."
While Starquest was trying to make himself look the good guy, Lycanroc was preparing to launch a rock with Stone Edge through a hole the kids opened in one of the windows, and it was aiming right at him. It went flying out of the window, and enter right directly on Starquest's mouth. That caused the Star Seeker to stop talking and acted like if he was choking, probably thanks to the stone he swallowed without knowing.
"Sir? What's wrong with you?" Axer asked concerned.
"You don't look so well. Are you sick?" Sandstorm added.
Starquest made them signal to see where the gang was. Axer, the only one who understood him, tried to check the inside by sneaking his head into the window.
He saw some of them in front. "Aha."
"Hi there robot, here's a present for you." Sophocles saluted, right before Vikavolt descended in front and covered his eyes with String Shot.
The sudden blindness surprised him so much that he was forced out of the building.
"Great, first part of the plan done!" Sophocles celebrated.
"Now let's get everyone in position." Tracey encouraged.
Back outside…
"Scrap, those twerps are willing to fight back." Axer reported while he tried to remove the silk.
"Great, just the way I like. We'll do it our way, better split up." Sandstorm announced before going his way, just when Starquest managed to spit out the rock.
The three cybertronians went different ways: Axer decided to search in the front entrance, but moments ago May and Dawn were with Glaceon and Piplup were covering the floor with Ice Sharp and Ice Beam, resulting on leaving the floor covered in very slippery ice. That caused when the Star Seeker stepped on it he sidesliped very violent backwards, lying on the ground with a shocked and harmful look. Sandstorm went to check the school yard, and spotted Goh on the run, which made him chase after him, not knowing that while he did that Goh was leading him to where Wedge was helping Ritchie, Iris and Misty were digging a hole in middle of the route sometimes they used for pokémon ridding: Wedge was using his tools to dig a hole big enough with Gible using Dig, while Misty's Staryu, Politoed and Golduck filled it with water with their moves, assisted by Cruise with Muddy Water. Once it was ready and heard Goh and Sandstorm approaching Wedge covered it before transforming and taking everyone out of there. Goh was almost at the sire of the trap, with Sandstorm almost reaching him, or that was what he wanted him to believe, and at the very edge he jumped aside, just when the Star Seeker attempted to grab him. Instead he fell into the hole, and ended covered in liquid mud. He didn't take it seriously, until he tried to make his way out, realizing his feet were stuck in the mud. Starquest decided to try the back exit, there he saw a poster with a message written: pull the lever to open secret passage. He decide to try luck and did it, but the rope connected with the lever was linked to Magearma, Lillie's pokémon, which was in ball form, while she and Tracey were holding it, until they released it, making it roll through a conduit following the rope falling in front of the Starquest. The Star Seeker made the mistake of looking where the rope was falling and ending receiving a hard hit on the head because Magearma employed Iron Head while in that form. Starquest lied on the floor, with a mark right where the hit. Back with Axer, the ex-Seeker tried to stand up, but it was difficult because of the slippery floor. Then he saw a few meters from him a bracket with looked strong enough to help him stand up. He tried to reach it crawling for it, not realizing Bonnie and Max were carrying paint cans which next Lana instructed Primarina to fill into multiple bubbles by using Sparkling Aria, while Clemont was preparing a mechanism which connected to the filled bubbles. Once Axer reached it he tried to climb up the bracket, but the structure was weaker than he thought, and when he tried to pull from it the whole thing collapsed above him, releasing all the paint contained. He ended completely covered by multiple colors, and a mad face.
"Once I find those children, I'm gonna… aaaa…." He started, ending sneezing.
Starquest recovered from the hit fast and decided to return to the first place. Checked the windows to ensure they weren't waiting for him inside, making sure no trap levers were around, once the coast was clear he tried to open the door and see inside. But then Incineroar, Zippo, Blaziken, Cinderace and Turtonator used their flame moves (Fire Blast, Flamethrower, Overheat and Pyro Ball) from different angles, catching the pirate off-guard and making him scream while feeling the hot sensation all around his head. With flames still present around his head, Starquest hurried at locating the nearest source of water to extinguish the fire, and when he did he submerge it completely.
"Oh great, that was cool." Kiawe celebrated.
Meanwhile, Sandstorm finally managed to get out of the hole, but the effort he employed and that more smaller trap holes were hidden on the way forced him to remove most of the armor around his feet, and inside the next hole he was heading Serena made sure that Pancham used Stone Edge to put sharp rocks inside for when the Star Seeker stepped in. And when he did he felt a sharp feeling which made him scream in pain while falling backwards. Back with Starquest, when he pulled out of the water his head was now covered with burn marks, which made him mad once he saw his reflection.
"Okay miserable insects, playtime is over!"
Once cleaning his face enough and being able to stand normally, Axer noticed his superior's yell.
"Guys, I'm coming!"
Starquest decided to confront the gang on the previous entrance again.
"No please, we are scared!" Mallow's voice said from the inside.
"Too late now, you made us mad! We're coming for you!" Starquest shouted.
"Well, then come and get us." Ash challenged.
"In the name of…" The Star Seeker entered, but then his face encountered a whole surface of paper which he removed out of his face. "Why you littles…?!"
And suddenly Whirl appeared out of nowhere showing her back, with her blades active and spinning, making a strong current of wind which made impossible for Starquest to keep coming. Also, Venusaur, Rowlet and Tsareena joined her and used Petal Dance, Feather Dance and Magical Leaf which combined to the wind Whirl generated ended covering the Star Seeker completely. Moments later, the three Star Seekers joined at the center of the school.
"Guys?" Axer asked.
"What happened to you?" Sandstorm followed.
"Why are you covered in colors?" Starquest asked to Axer.
"Why have you removed your foot armor?" Axer asked to Sandstorm.
"What are you doing dressed like an air pokémon? Or is that a tree?" Sandstorm asked to Starquest.
"Hey clankers, we are up here! Come and get us!" Ash called.
Being enraged as they were, the Star Seekers went immediately where Ash and some of his friends were, at the top of the school, where the bell was. But they went with such hurry that they missed Luxray, waiting for them and using Electric Terrain to stun them.
"Do you give up or you're still up to more?" Max taunted.
"Are you ready, Marowak?" Kiawe asked.
"Maro." Marowak nodded.
"Okay. Get ready, here they come."
The Star Seekers recovered the fastest they could and proceeded to reach where they were.
"Now Marowak, Bonemerang 1!" Kiawe signaled.
And Marowak threw his bone at the cybertronians.
"Sir, look!" Sandstorm pointed.
"Incoming!" Starquest warned.
Starquest and Sandstorm dodged in time, but too late for Axer, who received a direct hit on the head, pushing him backwards.
"Bonemerang 2!" Kiawe announced.
"Take cover!" Sandstorm shouted crouching.
This time it caught Starquest.
"Bonemerang 3!" Kiawe exclaimed.
"Wait there guys, I'll bring them to you."
"Sandstorm!" Axer shouted, seeing the bone coming again, and hitting the last one.
"Yeah, all three down!" Goh celebrated.
"Don't call victory yet, we're still in need of help." Tracey recalled.
"If there would be a way to contact the others, but the signal is jammed." May said trying to call the Autobots with her Pokétch.
"Maybe my flares could work, if I can fire them high enough the others could see it." Whirl suggested.
"It's worth give it a try." Lillie supported.
Two launchers appeared on Whirl's back and fired flares to the sky. Fortunately for them the Autobots were close enough to spot them, being Strongarm the closest. Unfortunately…
"That's it! No more tricks and running, face me already if you have the guts!" Sandstorm shouted raising in front of them with a furious look.
"Uh oh, I think this time he's really mad!" Max noticed.
"Quick, behind me!" Wedge called as some kind of cannon appeared on his wrists.
Wedge fired a concrete like liquid through his cannons, hitting Sandstorm right in the eyes.
"Argh, what is this slimy thing?! It will not prevent me from scraping you!"
"Hey pirate, watch the birdy!"
Suddenly Strongarm appeared out of nowhere and punched Sandstorm's face hard, taking him down.
"Strongarm, just right on time!" Whirl greeted.
"These rookies and natives are under my protection. If you have any problem with them, you'll have to pass over me first."
"Oh, and what are you gonna do, rookie? Give us a Optimus like speech?" Axer taunted.
"No, I'll do this."
Strongarm's sirens sounded, alarming the Star Seekers, knowing that would urge the rest of the Autobots to come rapidly, so while covering where their ears should be tried to get her.
Kiawe also noticed something else. "Strongarm, have you turn on your police lights?"
Strongarm looked her arms. "I think so."
"Can you make them stronger?"
Strongarm thought about it and decided to give it a try: she intensified the strength of her lights, causing them to cover the whole zone while the young Autobots covered the group. The Star Seekers received the worst part.
"Argh, my optics!" Axer groaned.
"What was that? A flash grenade?" Starquest questioned.
"They are distracted. How about we finish them ourselves?"
"You've said it, Ash." Mallow agreed.
"Let's kick those invaders out of our school." Kiawe supported.
"I say we use our Z-Moves." Sophocles suggested.
"All at once." Lana added.
"Step aside pals, leave this to the students of pokémon school." Lillie told to the rest.
The 6 pals and their pokémon (Pikachu, Turtonator,Vikavolt, Primarina, Snowy and Tsareena) lined up in front of the cybertronian pirates, placed a Z-Crystal on their Z-Rings (Electrium Z, Flarium Z, Bugginium Z, Waterium Z, Icium Z and Grassium Z) and started to perform their corresponding moves.
"By the power of Akala's fire!" Kiawe pronounced.
"By the serenity of the sea!" Lana continued.
"The life force of its forests!" Mallow followed.
"The mutual link shared by pokémon!" Lillie said.
"And the people of Alola!" Sophocles added.
"Let our friendship give us power!" Ash ended.
Energy flowed from the gang to their pokémon, ready to attack, just when the Star Seeker regained vision.
"Let's do this, guys! Pikachu, Gigavolt Havoc!" Ash declared.
"Go Turtonator, Inferno Overdrive!" Kiawe shouted.
"Here we go Vikabolt, Savage Spin-Out!" Sophocles allowed.
"Let's do it Primarina, Hydro Vortex!" Lana said.
"Now it's our turn Snowy, Subzero Slammer!" Lillie followed.
"Us too Tsareena, Bloom Doom!" Mallow ended.
The 6 pokémon performed the Z-Moves simultaneously, concentrating their attacks on the Star Seekers, making a huge explosion. Just when the rest of the Autobots arrived they saw the smoke result of the explosion, and the three pirates lying in the floor in very bad shape.
"Wow, did we miss the party?" Sideswipe asked.
"Argh, this is too much for me."
"I agree Axer." Starquest started, trying to get up hardly. "So much effort is not profitable for us. If this what we are going to receive, you can have all the land deposits. It would be much easier for us to take the others from the Cons."
With all said, the 3 Star Seekers transformed and left the island, heading for the ocean.
"They're gone? Does that mean...we won?" Lillie asked, still not sure about call victory.
"It looks to me." Kiawe nodded.
"That was a very surprising ace you have under your sleeves. How some little and delicate beings possess such powerful weapon?" Nautica asked interested.
"There's so much about humans and pokémon you don't know yet." Hot Rod answered.
"You know what really surprises me? That actually Strongarm acted in a little reckless way to assist our pals." Sideswipe pointed.
"Yeah, it isn't suppose that manual says you must wait for help before facing tougher opponents?" Smokescreen said.
"I know sir, but I realized there wasn't anyone near to properly handle them, and since the humans and rookies seemed really in trouble I supposed there wasn't nothing wrong in breaking it to protect them. It guess if it counts as emergency it can be excused." Strongarm defended.
"You're learning well, cadet." Bumblebee complemented.
"No bad for your first time facing evil cybertronians." Misty flattered as well.
"You really think so?" Lana asked excited.
"Does this mean we can also help you with this just like with the Ultra Beasts, Ash?" Sophocles asked.
"Well, first of all we should inform Optimus about this." Tracey started.
"And of course, in case of approbation your will require proper training for battling the Decepticons and supporting the team." Ritchie added.
"But fear nothing guys. Once we tell him you are friends of trust and how you helped us today I'm sure you can become part of Team Prime." Ash assured.
"Sounds like a huge honor." Kiawe said.
"Oh, you have no idea." Goh swore.
"That goes for you too, new recruits. You have taken your first steps on becoming real Autobots." Moonracer told to the young Autobots.
"We appreciate you kept this safe for us, you have no idea how helping would be for the Autobots to have this technology after so long." Arcee thanked taking the overshield.
"And it couldn't happen to someone else than the Star Seekers." Iris mentioned.
"Oh, don't tell me."
For everyone's surprise, a new guest appeared emerging from the woods.
"Wow, a sea monster." Lana said as the first thing she thought at seeing a giant cybertronian covered in seaweeds.
"No, fools! It's me!"
"That voice, it sounds me familiar." Mirage started. "Knock Out, is that you? What's with the look change?"
"Let me guess, another alien robot?" Mallow deduced.
"Yeah, and this is one of the bad ones." Serena confirmed.
"Oh great, what a day I'm having. First my ship is shot down out of the sky, next I have to crawl my way up to the surface, risking my finish with all kind of underwater stuff, and now besides finding you all here alongside new Autobots I'm also called sea monster?!" Knock Out yelled while Decepticon miners emerged behind him.
"Wow, I don't recall Knock Out being so grumpy." Nautica whispered.
"Only when his look is severely affected." Moon clarified.
"Could this day end worse?"
Then, like a summoning by Knock Out's constant complaining, a new guest arrived, landing in middle of everyone.
"A pink floating pokémon? Hahaha, what are you, some kind of walking balloon?" Knock Out asked, amused by the pokémon's funny appearance.
"Uh oh, guys, is that…?" Tracey started.
"Wait a minute, is that...Jigglypuff?" Ash recognized.
"No way, if it starts sing we'll all end asleep!" Misty alarmed.
"Quick guys, have these." Clemont said pressing a button of his pack, making its mechanical arm to give everyone some pairs of little objects.
"For what?" Mallow asked.
"Just put it on your ears! Bots, turn off your audio receptors!"
"Why?" Wedge asked.
"If Clemont says it must be for a good reason." Bee answered as everyone followed his lead.
And just how Ash and some of his friends already knew, Jigglypuff started to sing, like in the old times. Fortunately everyone had their ears covered and audio receptors off so nothing happened this time. But for the Cons…
"Huh? What is this? I feel...a little...tired." One Decepticon miners said.
"Yeah, me too." Other nodded.
"How weird, but suddenly I feel the need for a power down. I guess nothing will happen if I take one. If you excuse me." Knock Out declared right before collapsing like the rest.
Once it seemed it was done, the gang applauded to the pokémon's acting, just what it expected since long ago, before clearing their ears and signal the Bots to start hearing again.
"Just in time, Jigglypuff." Ash acknowledged.
"That was some charming song." Serena followed.
"Huh? It isn't supposed that when a pokémon uses Sing everyone ends…" Bonnie started, until Misty covered her mouth.
"Trust us Bonnie, we have encountered this Jigglypuff lots of times during our journeys. And when it sees everyone falls asleep because of the song…"
"Well, I think you'll have the chance to see it by yourself very soon." Tracey reassured.
"But it seems there are some ones who didn't like it." May said pointing at the Decepticons.
As usual, Jigglypuff inflated in annoyance, thinking they didn't like it and feel asleep.
"Well, you know what to do about it." Ash nodded.
"Pika pika."
Immediately, Jigglypuff detached the tip of its microphone and revealed a pen which used on the Cons' faces. Once it was over, everyone saw them with funny paintings, making them laugh, the rookies included.
"I admit it sir, that is…" Strongarm said, unable to speak because of laughs.
"What gives?" Whirl asked.
"That's what happens to everyone caught sleeping by Jigglypuff after singing." Misty explained.
"It used to happen to us a lot of times too." Ash added.
"Oh, so that's why we awakened with those funny faces at Kanto." Mallow understood.
"Hahahaha, that's so funny!" Max laughed.
"Rubber it right on their faces, a classic!" Sideswipe said in laughs.
"Haha, and how long until they go back online?" Arcee recalled.
"A couple of minutes, I think." Tracey assumed.
"Enough to send them right where they came from." Bumblebee decided.
"Wait sir, are we not going to take them prisoners back to your base?" Strongarm questioned.
"I think with everything they have gone through they have received enough punishment for today."
"I think I'm gonna like being assigned here for sure." Mirage said.
And what Bumblebee decided was performed: the Autobots took the sleeping Cons back to the shore, made a raft big enough to handle their weight for a while and pushed it to the ocean with everyone aboard. The gang took the chance to say goodbye to Jigglypuff (this time maybe for real) since it already have the public it searched for long ago. As the gang was starting to update the Alola gang about everything and the team called both for a ground bridge and the rest of the team, Strongarm noticed Ultra Magnus arriving.
"Sir, are you okay?"
"I will, once Ratchet patch me up back at base. I've heard you broke protocol today, cadet."
"I realized after watching Smokescreen, and Bumblebee, even Sideswipe perform today it's okay sometimes to ignore rules and do what your spark tells you is right at the moment."
"You're going to fix just fine, cadet."
Strongarm opened her palm, displacing a holographic tablet. "But that doesn't mean I'm not going to write a report about everything occurred today."
"I'm will gladly appreciate that." Ultra Magnus smiled, thinking about a role Strongarm could perform perfectly.
"I can't wait to see our base on this planet, and to meet any other Autobot veterans." Whirl expressed in excitement.
"You know what I wish I could see? The face of Knock Out after seeing the little present that pokémon gave him. I wonder how he's doing now?"
Wedge wasn't wrong about his suspicion: once back at the Nemesis, someone was laughing loudly.
"Is that how the humans of that region greets all visitors?!" Quake asked laughing.
"Not a word about this, okay?!"
Knock Out was really mad after figuring out what Jigglypuff draw on his face.
"Knock Out, about time. How has…?" Xiaxus started.
"The worst...scouting...ever. Now if you excuse me I need to take a very urgent bath. And I don't want anyone peeking!"
"You know? Maybe none of us admit it, but Knock Out manages to rise up our spirit with all his misfortunes."
"Haha, I agree, Stinger." Host nodded.
"When did you think he chose for a makeup change?" Roadkill taunted, expecting Knock Out could be hearing.
"Not funny!" The Decepticon medic shouted as he showed a finger out of the room at them.
"What was now?" Darkscream asked, earning just a shrug from Xiaxus, making him sigh. "Whatever, I don't care. I hoped a simple recognition for energon would be a task Knock Out would be able to do without much effort."
"Generals, we have news from the excavation teams. They have found the energon deposits under the oceanic floor, but some have reported attacks from unfriendly individuals." Shatter reported.
"It must the Star Seekers. Thundertron seems to be really desperate if he hopes of taking all the mines from our hands. Deploy the necessary troops regarding each place's situation, let's hope we don't lose too many deposits to the enemy." Xiaxus commanded.
"Darkscream, honey, are you there?" Spacestream called through com-link.
"Honey?" Xiaxus asked confused, while other Decepticons also looked at him in disbelief.
"Hum, something between us, if you excuse me. Spacestream, what is it?" Darkscream asked.
"I was scouting around all the islands' surroundings until I discovered something unexpected: it seems to be a fifth location in middle of the water."
"A secret emplacement in middle of all the islands? That sounds to me like a perfect location for a hidden building, like a secret base."
"That's what I though too, so I decided to check it out. I didn't have enough time to confirm it, but I managed to collect some data of that place. I'm sending it right now."
Darkscream saw on the terminal what Spacestream discovered. From the face he put it was important.
"What is this?" Xiaxus asked taking a look.
"The most special secret this region ever hold. This is something we must focus all our attention, if we want to take the next step of our ultimate plan." Darkscream smirked.