The fire crackled as the wood turned into ash. The loud chirping from nocturnal pokemon sang throughout the night as the young trainer sat a few meters away from the fire, gazing upon the twinkling stars. Next to him slept the wolf pokemon - resting his head on his trainer's lap. In front of him, a yellow beetle parked in an open space while his avatar - too, look at the night sky.
"Sky's pretty tonight," Jon said still watching the stars.
Bumblebee's processor overloaded, taking in the moment - remembering a night just like this.
"Bumblebee?"
The mech's avatar snaps out of his mind, "Sorry, you were saying something?"
The boy frowned, "Do you miss your home?"
Bumblebee also frowned, "Greatly, it's been a long time since I last saw it."
"... You and the other 'bots only talked about E-84 but not so much about Cybertron. I'm also guessing you miss your friend... Spike?"
Bumblebee stared at the boy, a wood in the fire chipped off breaking the silence. Bee fixed his posture to sit properly against his alt mode.
"Spike was my first charge before I had you," He paused, a small faint smile crossing his face, "he has a wife and son. Heh, I feel sorry for little Daniel - having to grow up in an intergalactic war, and as for Cybertron: there isn't much to talk about.
Jon kept his eyes on Bee, "I'm sure there is, like before the war. What was your life like?"
The Autobot sat in silence once more before speaking, "I was still a kid, just like you so I don't remember very much of Cyberton - only that it was home. I'm the youngest out of everyone."
"Even Bluestreak?"
"Even Bluestreak."
Jon took a step back in his question, "What about Spike? What happened to him?"
The mech tilts his head, "As of right now? I don't know, only that he was with me before we got transported here." It was now Bumblebee's turn to ask questions.
"What about you? What made you become a trainer? I'm sure someone your age should be still in school."
Jon twiddled his fingers, his sister already explained to Ratchet and he got mad but Bumblebee's question differs.
"It happened back in Galar when Daisy was starting her journey. I was really inspired. Mom took me along and I watched Daisy's battle. Never in my life have I wanted to be ten years old so bad - to get my own pokemon and travel the region battling strong trainers!" Jon patted his pokemon head, "That's how I met Rocky - my first pokemon. He's been by my side since we met." His smile slowly started to fade, "Everything changed when Chairman Rose unleashed the Darkest Day. Mom and Daisy were never the same and Daisy quit the league before battling Champion Leon."
Bumblebee absorbed the moment. "Do... trainers start their journey... at the age of ten?"
"Yes and no, from what I know when you turn ten it's the legal age to own a pokemon. Most parents won't let their kid travel unless they are eleven or older. But yeah, in some regions like Alola, some kids start their journey at ten." The boy explained yawning.
"When did you and your sister start your journey?"
"We both start at eleven; although mom went with Daisy while she went with me," Now rubbing his eyes. "If mom stayed home I won't have been inspired and would be too scared to become a trainer. I'm grateful she didn't or I won't have met you," Jon smiled ear to ear.
The mech acknowledges this, it truly feels like fate or just a pure coincidence. "You should get some sleep."
"What about you?"
"Don't worry, us Cybertorian's sleep cycle is different compared to yours." And with that Jon closed his eyes cuddling his Lycanroc.
The sounds of wildlife filled the air once more, the fire keeping the warmth for the young human and his partner. Bumblebee gazed back at the stars thinking about the conversation - was this fate or a mistake? If Megatron didn't make the machine he wouldn't have met Jon. The Autobot draw his attention to the sleeping boy. "Perhaps there's more than meets the eye."
"Alright, that's a wrap."
The teen inhales and exhales sharply, keeping herself up on her knees. Sweat poured down her face as she held her hand against her chest - feeling every beat. With one last sharp breath, she stands facing her instructor.
"That was intense. Are all my training going to be like this?"
"Yes, it helps build up stamina. For someone claiming to travel the country you sure lose energy quickly." Ironhide commented.
Daisy lowers her head in response with a sigh, "It wasn't like this."
"Alright kid, no need to get sappy on me," He joked.
Daisy giggles, it reminded her of a friend she knew back in high school. The teen watched as the giant walked out of the training room leaving her alone. She fell to the floor, laying down on her back, arms wide open. The training room was rather massive compared to the bite size she is. She closed her eyes savouring the moment she had in solitude.
"Make sure to watch over your brother, okay?" A woman said tiptoeing to kiss her daughter on the cheek.
"Don't worry ma, I will,"
"I'm just making sure hija. You're a strong girl; I just want you and your brother to be safe. There's a lot of bad people and scary pokemon out there who wants to harm you."
"I know ma, I'm not a kid anymore."
"You're still a child to me - be safe. Call me whenever you get to a pokemon centre, alright?"
"I hear you."
The girl shot up when something heavy jumped on her stomach. She looks down. Vaporeon had her upper body on her. Daisy gently rubs the side of Vaporeon's face before picking herself up off the dusty floor.
"Come on."She said leaving the training room
Walking throughout the forest Bumblebee moved a branch out of his way, "I don't understand why I couldn't just drive us to Mistralton city."
Jon, in front of the yellow scout, proceeds to walk backwards, "Because it's for the adventure!"
"And here you were, complaining to Ratchet about not having time to complete the gym challenges."
Jon sighs and turned around to walk properly, "I said: before winter comes around the corner. Plus, if I took the bus to every city or town, I wouldn't have met you or the Autobots."
Bumblebee stayed quiet making the boy continue.
"Besides," Jon added. "According to the map, at the end of Route six, we have to go through Chargestone Cave."
Bumblebee vented, "Are you not worried that a human might find out about me?"
Jon looks up at Bee, tilting his head, "Well... You're not in any danger of being found out... Besides, what's the worst thing that could happen?"
Jumping out of nowhere a wild deer-like pokemon revealed itself, scaring the boy for dear life. Jon hides behind the cybertronian - heart pounding against his chest. The deer-like pokemon inspect the duo carefully. Its antlers were covered in Autumn leaves, showing little time the trainer had left before winter comes around. Jon's breathing slowed down as he hovers his phone in front of the pokemon.
Sawsbuck, seasonal pokemon, normal/ grass type. They migrate according to the seasons. People tell the seasons by looking at Sawsbuck horns.
"What was that?" Bumblebee asked.
"My phone?"
"No, the..." Bee repeatedly snaps his fingers to think of a word. "... The A.I. that spoke on your phone."
"Oooh, that's the Pokedex. It scans pokemon whenever I hover my phone over them. Also, that's not an A.I. that's Rotom talking!" he said as the plasma pokemon ejected.
Bumblebee squints his optics to have a better look at it, "that's amazing! Do all your technology have... Rotom(s) inside of them?"
"Some?" he shrugs.
The little pokemon ghosted back into the phone. Just before he can put his phone away, Bumblebee speaks up again, "Ah - that reminds me! I haven't given you my commlink code yet." He kneels down in front of the young trainer.
"Is it like a phone number?" Jon asked.
"Yes, don't worry tho', I'll give you the others so you'll be able to call them."
When the scout finished transporting commlink codes to the boy's phone, he got up again. By this time, the Sawsbuck already start moving. The young human turned his head around to find out it was no longer there. Jon called out Bumblebee's name to follow the grass pokemon as the mech wondered why.
As they continue chasing after the Sawsbuck through the woods, a laboratory pops into view surrounded by five cars. Jon and Bee stopped chasing the pokemon and hide behind some trees, watching the seasonal pokemon approach a man in a lab coat. It circle around him before the two entered the facility.
Jon's phone flew in front of him, showing him a picture of the building in front of them. Beside him, Bumblebee transforms into his alt mode.
"That must be the Seasonal Research Insititute."
"I'm going to guess it has something to do with the seasons?"
"That's what it says on my phone, let's go check it out!" Before he could run Bumblebee drove in front of him. "Whoa, slow your gears. What if those people don't want visitors?"
Jon steps back a bit, checking his phone, "well it says they're open for visitors from 9 am to 7 pm." His phone travelled back into his backpack. Bumblebee parked in front of him for a moment before opening his passenger doors, "get in."
When the yellow beetle droved out beneath a leaf from a branch, a green slimed-like creature, bathing in the sunlight, watched as they drove to the entrance of the laboratory. It's one eye, carefully viewing the young scout - and its friends in the desert.
Bumblebee's avatar and Jon entered the building. The scientists from before greeted them along with his Sawsbuck. They ventured around the facility and touched the glass of each seasonal room - feeling its temperature. Of course, it didn't mean much to Bee - time passed by rather quickly, but for Jon, small moments like these make memorable memories. If Spike and his family were here, he would be sure that they - especially Daniel, would enjoy this.
Computers flicker brightly as Daisy sat in the communications room, on top of Jazz's desk while her partner, Vaporeon sat on the mech's... chest area for some odd reason. Jazz types away on the computer, putting files in order. Daisy, on the other hand, was messing with her hair and tying it into a messy bun(later to comb - that's if wanting to deal with it). The girl's mind wondered, remembering why she came to Mistralton Cave in the first place but before she could stand up, an airlock sound echoed throughout the room when the door to it opens.
Optimus and Windblade entered the room, talking in - what seems to be their native language. They quit this act when they spotted the human on the desk.
"Good afternoon Daisy, how is training with Ironhide coming along?"
Daisy finished toying with her hair, she spoke, "hard but swell, lots of exercising."
"That's good to hear."
"So Dais', I saw you were about to get up, you going somewhere?" asked Windblade
Now finally standing up and placing the backpack around her shoulders, "yeah, the reason why I came to Mistralton cave in the first place. You wouldn't think I came here to explore like a cave explorer - not that I have anything against them."
"Then why would you come?" Windblade inquired.
"There was a rumour flying around about trainers spotting a legendary in Mistralton Cave. So I wanted to check it out and that led me to finding you..."
At that moment Jazz stopped what he was doing. What the Autobots gathered about legendary pokemon was that they were powerful pokemon, more powerful than your average pokemon. Coming across one could mean two things: You were lucky to spot one or something bad was about to happen.
"Are you going out there alone? asked Optimus, not liking the idea.
"I was, if you wanna come you can tag along. Just don't get your hopes up if we don't come across it."
Jazz shifted in his seat, scooping Vaporeon off him and scooping Daisy off the desk and onto the floor. Daisy thanked him - Jazz nodded in return.
She faces the direction of Optimus and Windblade, "alright, let's go."
Walking further within the cave, Optimus and Windblade had their lights on, bright enough to see what was in front of them. Daisy and Vaporeon walked between the two giants, carefully keeping space between each other so they will have a lower chance of being stepped on.
The walk was silent, not a bad silent but silent where you're observing your surroundings. Daisy, on the other hand, seemed lost in her thoughts. The past four days she stayed with the Autobots, she and Lucario were able to recognize each and every 'bots aura. Their auras were unique - different from the regular human or pokemon. It was like looking at the starry night mixed with floating computer codes. Some of them had more powerful auras than others, which was funny in itself when the two Autobots beside her are one of the few that has that powerful aura.
Daisy wouldn't call herself an Aura Guardian, she never learned how to become one. Even with the 'training' she had with Lucario growing up, she can only do basic stuff: sense other's emotions and communicate with Lucario at long distances. The downside to the ability, however, is when a person or pokemon has powerful auras, making her nauseated if she stayed around them too long - which was starting to become the case.
"Dais', are you alright?" Windblade asked concerned, "do you want me to carry you?"
"No... no," she protested. Daisy tolerated being lifted to get on top of high places but being carried like a baby was out of the question. Having a small fear of heights didn't help either, even if she faced them so many times - it just gets worst.
Optimus nod his head forward to have a better view of the human, concern crossed his optics. He couldn't place his finger on it but something about the human felt different - different from the humans he met on E-84 or with Jon. Windblade could say the same thing.
"If you are not feeling well, I can drive you back to the Ark," said the Prime.
"No..." she said, not bothering to look up, holding her forehead. Vaporeon stopped in her tracks, crying out to her trainer. Vaporeon knows her friend better than anyone, and she wanted Daisy to rest for a moment. Daisy did not protest and stopped - Windblade and Optimus followed the same action.
The Prime kneeled down on one knee, taking off her backpack and using his index finger to gently rub the human's back. Even with this gesture, Daisy still felt overwhelmed, almost to the point that made her think she might faint.
When Optimus thought about transforming into his alt mode to bring the human back to the Ark, he was abruptly stopped. A blue horse-like pokemon, that had two yellow horns sticking out its head, stood a few meters away - dead centre in the tunnel they were taking. What caught his attention were the three figures idly floating above it. The three figures were small compared to the blue-horse pokemon but they each had a red gem in the centre of their foreheads.
Still on his knee, Optimus caught glimpse of a small reaction that Daisy and Vaporeon had. To his guess, he thinks they might recognize them. Before can answer his question, she raised her phone weakly, scanning each pokemon.
Her eyes widen, "the Lake Guardians and a Sword of Justice ."
"You know of them?" Windblade asked.
Daisy nodded her head, "the Sword of Justice is a legend in Unova: challenging humans to protect pokemon from human expansion. I helped Sonia do research on them back in Galar." She then zones her head to the lake trio. "The Lake Guardians are legendaries from the Sinnoh region. According to the Pokedex, they are the embodiment of knowledge, emotion and willpower. ... sorry, I don't know much about the lake trio," she frowned at the last sentence.
"What I don't understand is why are the Lake Guardians doing here, they should be in Sinnoh!"
Optimus got up from his position whilst Windblade began to speak, "Maybe they are here... for something?"
Daisy shook her head weakly, "No, I believe they are here... for us."
"What makes you say that-" Optimus never get to finish his sentence when the surrounding area started shifting form; the ground and walls dazzled out of existence. The eyes of the Lake Guardians glowed a pastel purple hue as an ear-piercing scream reverberates around the two Autobots, human and pokemon. What they saw made their blood turn ice: a massive, brightly lit dragon, sporting four large wings, tearing reality in on itself. What came next shocked the Autobots - Megatron, watching as everything goes down.
The small group snap back to reality, taking in what they just witness.
"What was that?" Windblade breathed.
Optimus looked over at his comrade, "I believed it is some sort of event that has yet to happen," he guessed.
"Daisy, what do you think? Does that pokemon - if it's even a pokemon, to begin with, does it look familiar to you? Windblade queried.
She didn't respond.
"Daisy?"
A small sobbing noise came from her.
"Daisy, are you crying?" the flying Autobot said, bending down to the human's level - Optimus did the same thing.
"Perhaps, she's overwhelmed."
"That would make sense giving to what we just saw," said Windblade turning her head in the direction of the legendaries - they are now gone.
Vaporeon cried out to her friend, trying to gain her attention whilst Daisy kept mumbling to herself, "not again," repeatedly. It had nothing to do with the dragon pokemon she saw but a different one that reminded her of that faithful day.
"I'm sorry," she said rubbing her eyes.
"You have nothing to apologize for, I'm sure what we just witnessed was stressful for you. I can take you back to the Ark," Optimus assured her as she nod sluggishly, "I needed fresh air anyway."
"Windblade."
"Don't worry, Optimus, I'll catch up with you later."
The prime nod his head, transforming, taking the human and her pokemon with him whilst leaving the flyer behind.
As The Journey Continues...