32- Troubled Alliance.
It was a nice day, or that was what it looked: on one part of Mt. Moon, Team Rocket's balloon was gaining altitude in a hurry. The reason: it appears once again they managed to catch Pikachu, and now they were trying to get away with their prize. But our heroes, humans and Autobots, were following their steps.
"Team Rocket, give me back Pikachu!" Ash demanded.
"Not today!" They three mocked.
"Alright, we have used the pacific ways, now we will have to teach them a lesson."
"Hold on Smokey, if we take down that balloon we may also hurt Pikachu." Hot Rod reminded.
"We have to secure him first before getting rip of them." Bee added.
"Fortunately our special backup will handle it." Moon reported.
Suddenly, Wobbuffet started to get alarmed.
"What's wrong with you? There's no need to be like that." Jessie said.
"We finally got Pikachu. Nothing can't ruin this moment." Meowth celebrated.
Then everyone heard a loud roar, one which Pikachu recognized because he smiled.
"Pika pikachu."
"What do you mean we now have big trouble?" Meowth demanded confused.
"I wonder why, but I find that sound somehow familiar." James recalled.
And at the moment, Predaking appeared right in front of them, grabbing the balloon with his claws, stopping it. Team Rocket was frightened by fear, specially when the Predacon roared at them directly.
"Hey you, you better handle Pikachu to him if you don't want to get trouble!" Tracey advised.
Although they didn't want to renounce to their victory, Team Rocket had no other choice, and gave Predaking the capsule which contained Pikachu, taking it with his jaws with care.
"Pikachu is safe. Warpath, you are green to go." Arcee confirmed.
"Finally. Hey losers, here you have a little present from Team Prime! Kaboom!"
Warpath fired his cannon at Team Rocket's balloon, ending on a classic explosion which sent them flying away.
"Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
Sideswipe laughed as he changed to robot form. "That's some motto that I never got bored."
Moments later, the team headed back when Ash received a call from his Pokétch.
"Ash, I heard Team Rocket attempted to take away Pikachu again. Are you alright?"
"Everything's fine mom. Pikachu is safe and sound with me now."
"Pika pika."
Delia sighed in relief. "Thank Arceus everything has ended well."
"You can thank the Autobots once we're back in Pallet Town."
"You know? I don't get why those three don't give up after all the times Ash and his friends have humiliated them." Sideswipe wondered.
"Yeah, it seems like those guys are desperate for a collect of failures." Wheeljack added.
"However, I have to admit they are persistent, even more than most Decepticons, like Knock Out." Arcee pointed.
"Yeah, the mad doctor would prefer to leave at the first moment he senses his paint can be compromised." Smokescreen joked, making everyone laugh.
The ones who weren't in the mood for laughs was the trio of bad guys, who landed at the other side of Mt. Moon.
"Not again." Jessie lamented.
"This is the third time in a row." James followed.
"How can fate be this unfair?" Meowth protested.
"Wobbuffet." Wobbuffet added.
They were so focused on their disgrace that they were not aware that near their location Shockblast was with a Decepticon mining platoon. They seem to be mining for something.
"The signal linked to the coordinates indicates the relic should be buried around 50 or 75 meters down the ground." Shockblast reported.
"Then you better start thinking about proper security measures for the mining operation in case the Autobots decide to pay you a visit." Darkscream said thought com-link.
"Darkscream has a point. With the last incident in what was supposed to be our newest energon mine and the recent closeups after uncovering relics, every precaution we take regarding their meddling may be not enough." Xiaxus supported.
Darkscream groaned. "If only there was a way to delay their attention for us a little, or gain the same field advantage that they gained by siding with humankind."
Shockblast was about to speak, but suddenly he heard some voices discussing. He ordered the miners to remain silent so he could hear it properly, making him know they were close. He followed them as silent as he could, hiding between the woods until he nose around, spotting Team Rocket.
"We have already getting used to when the twerps beat us on their own, but since those advanced robots are with them capturing Pikachu has become an impossible mission." Jessie complained.
"And the boss doesn't believe any word we say, so we can't count on any backup from headquarters." James added.
"If only there was a way to surpass those robots, or at least fight with some equal force, we may be able to have a chance to succeed." Meowth concluded.
"Robots siding with humans, twerps? I guess that term refers to immature ones. They must be referring to the human children sided with the Autobots. And they have had already some encounters with them, just to take away one of their pokémon?" Shockblast collected in his mind, seeing this as a good opportunity for a chance to gain advantage over their enemies. He walked out of the woods walking at them, no doubt surprising them by screaming.
"Not again!" Meowth yelled.
"Please, we've already blasted off enough for one day!" James begged.
"Don't squash us, we still have the whole life up ahead!" Jessie added.
"My apologies, it wasn't my intention to scare you. My name is Shockblast, and I'm not here to harm you. Actually, I happened to hear your complaints while me and my forces were passing by, and you caught my interest. Didn't you say you have been bothered recently by some of our kind?"
"If...if you mean giant robots like you, well, that would be true." James started.
"It appears they are never much far away from the twerps." Jessie added.
"These 'twerps' which you refer are young humans, right?" Shockblast asked, earning a nod from all of them, even Wobbuffet. "Excuse my curiosity but, what interest you have regarding a group of children?"
"It's not those twerps who we are after, but that Pikachu who belongs to the one with the hat." Meowth responded.
"What's so special about that pokémon? There are probably millions like that roaming elsewhere."
"That Pikachu is unique. You see, we have witnessed his great potential since the first time we met. Since then, we knew that was not any ordinary pokémon, just the one we're destined to catch."
"Ever since we have been following those twerps during their travels around the world." Jessie continued.
"And we expect to the day we finally bring Pikachu to the boss, so he may reward us for our efforts." James ended.
"But now, with those robots around our plans are getting ruined more faster than before, making it impossible to get close to them." Meowth pointed.
"I see, so the Autobots' presence is an obstacle to your mission. I believe we can both benefit from this situation." Shockblast surprised.
"Heh?!" Team Rocket asked confused.
"Wobbuffet."
"What are you talking about?" James asked.
"These robots which stand with the children who are getting on your way are actually in ours as well, which are constantly causing a delay in our operations. And their assistant provides them with a bothersome advantage. But if we could do the same, we may get rid of our common enemies at once."
"If that works, we may get able to catch Pikachu once and for all." Meowth started, getting cheered.
"And finally achieve our goal!" Jessie exclaimed excited.
"It can be done?" James asked.
"If we work together you will end with your price and their guardians will not bother you anymore. So, do we have a deal?" Shockblast requested, offering his hand.
After looking the three of them, Team Rocket took the Decepticon's hand.
"Deal." They three said.
"Then we better get started. We need to lure them into a trap to catch them with their guard down. I know how to do that." Shockblast shared.
"We know how to make a proper trap. We are experts on the subject." Meowth offered.
"We will finally get Pikachu, hurray, hurray. We will finally get Pikachu." Team Rocket started to sing along, leaving Shockbast speechless and wondering of he did made a right choice recruiting them.
Meanwhile, around Earth's orbit, two meteors were approaching at high speed, entering the atmosphere and heading right to the surface. Both landed around the area, but in separated areas. After flames disappeared from one, it revealed to be a kind of transport pod, from cybertronian origin, and it opened. At the same time, Hot Rod, Sideswipe, Arcee and Bumblebee arrived at Pallet Town, while the rest of the team took another route. They took Ash, Tracey and Pikachu back to Professor Oak's lab, where Delia, Serena, Misty, Max and even Fixit were waiting for them.
"Glad to see you all fine." Delia said hugging her son and Pikachu.
"Let me guess, Team Rocket again?" Misty assumed.
"Yeah, they never learn. Not even when the Autobots are the ones who send them flying." Ash answered as Serena hugged him.
"How did they managed to sneak here and took Pikachu? It isn't supposed all Pallet Town is surrounded by sensors?"
"Actually Serena, those sensors were placed in first place to anticipate possible Decepticon activity, not pokémon and human villains. I just reconfigure them in order to detect them as well." Fixit announced.
"Even their balloon?" Max pointed.
"Even the balloon, it's not very unrecognizable."
"He's right, that Meowth shaped balloon is hard to miss. Why they choose that for a way of transport?" Hot Rod wondered.
"By the way, where did the others went?" Misty recalled.
"Back to base. Today is for cleaning chores, and Ratchet and commander Magnus wants everyone available to keep base clean." Arcee explained.
"And you didn't go with them? Are you trying to skip it?"
Bumblebee chuckled. "No Ms. Ketchum. Optimus wants a few of us available in case he needs a quick respond team in case something happens."
"Bumblebee, come in. Are you still on Pallet Town?"
"What I told you?" He said before answering by com-link. "We are here Optimus."
"Blaster's sensors have detected a pair of meteorites entering Earth's atmosphere, but these ones emitted some suspicious frequencies, of cybertronian origin."
"They probably may be escape pods, but if is of Autobot or Decepticon origin he can't confirm it. We need you to search for them to check it out." Elita instructed.
"Understood commander, it shouldn't take us so long. Over and out." Bee ended.
"Looks like we have an outside mission, it must be our lucky day." Sideswipe opined.
"According to Blaster's indications the signals are nearby Mt. Moon." Fixit saw on his scanner.
"Care for an easy trip?" Arcee suggested to the gang.
"Don't see any problem, partner." Serena nodded.
"By the way Ash, I forgot to tell you before. Goh came early this morning to visit Professor Oak before he headed to Mt. Moon to check the local pokémon." Tracey revealed.
"That's great, maybe we could run into him in the way."
"In that case he shouldn't see us with the Autobots, specially after the encounter you had with the Decepticons in Team Alien's former base." Misty reminded.
"If we are lucky he may be far from the place to inspect." Hot Rod said.
"Don't worry mom. With Team Rocket now far from here, this should be a walk in the park." Ash reassured her.
"Okay, you can go. Just be sure to get back for lunch, I made your favorite meal."
And they embarked straight to Mt. Moon. Meanwhile, as Tracey said, Goh was observing the beautiful environment of the area around the mount, while at some point of the other side a metal yellow foot stood. Also…
"You have done what?!" Darkscream exclaimed through com-link, surely in disbelief.
"Trust me, technically speaking this will equal us with the same position as the Autobots."
"And your solution is to recruit a duo of loser human thieves and a talking pokémon who have been defeated by the Autobot human children lots of times? Unbelievable."
"It is not that I sympathize with their cause, we just need to use them in order to catch the Autobots' only weakness."
"Shockblast is right, Darkscream. Despite the tough appearance of some of them, we know they were willing to do anything to keep them safe." Xiaxus pointed.
"Ah, I get it. What's your plan, Shockblast?"
Meanwhile, Goh was still wandering in middle of the forest.
"This place is beautiful, no wonder Tracey advised me to see it. I wonder if anyone could hear my voice from here. Hello!" Goh shouted to the air.
"Hello!" Another voice answered back, which surprised him.
Moved by curiosity, Goh went to where the voice came, turning to the corner, and got surprised at seeing a cybertronian standing in front of him, which made him scream. But the cybertronian, who looked very similar to Sideswipe except for a few details and yellow color, reacted the same way like a little kid, falling backwards. Fortunately he showed the Autobot emblem on the chest.
"What are you?!" Goh demanded.
"I was gonna ask you the same!" The new Autobot responded.
"Great, just what I needed, another rogue giant robot."
"Hey, who are you calling rogue? Just for you to know I'm a proud Autobot warrior, fighters of freedom."
"Freedom fighters? Aren't you a creation made by terrorists to bring destruction and harm?"
"Destruction and harm? You just described the Decepticons. Are they here?"
Before they could continue talking they heard a huge stomp near them.
"Another one?" Goh asked in disbelief.
"Oh scrap."
In front of them stood a giant cybertronian with green touches that pounded his chest like a gorilla with an appearance resembling a gladiator while roaring as intimidation. Once he put his red optics on the duo he calmed down.
"Hey, crazy meeting, someone else from Cybertron, way out here." The new Autobot, who voice indicated he was young, started. Then he noticed the worst, the giant had the Decepticon emblem present in his chest. "A Decepticon. That's cool? Be ready to roll." He whispered to Goh before returning to the conversation. "I'm Sunstreaker, and you are…?"
"Undermine. Are you from here?" The giant Decepticon asked, making Sunstreaker shrug as response. "Tell me, have you ever known about an Autobot named Grimlock?"
"Huh, more or less."
"Ha, then you will know it without doubt once it'll spread I tore apart his spark! You will serve as practice!" The Decepticon known as Undermine declared before charging at them, but they evaded him thanks to their smaller size, so he ended smashing against a rock wall.
"Run!" Sunstreaker yelled at Goh.
Goh didn't hesitate to obey and ran into the forest, followed by Sunstreaker, who covered his face with a battle mask, who jumped between the trees. They were so focused on getting away from the new Decepticon that they didn't noticed how near they were from the friendly group, right on an upper hill.
"How curious, I just detected the signal of a relic from the recovered database." Fixit announced seeing the scanner.
"Where?" Arcee asked.
"Down there, into that dry river."
"It isn't far from the pod's location, we could check them at the same time." Bumblebee suggested.
"Why you don't go and check it, Fixit? It should be easy and that way the others may proceed with the search."
"Good idea, Misty. We will watch him from up here." Ash proposed.
"Okay, then Fixit go confirm if there's a relic nearby for when we are done." Hot Rod accepted.
"Who would figure out there could be a cybertronian relic near our former base?" Sideswipe started as they group divided.
While the Autobots went to their respective destinations, the group stood at the edge of the hill where they kept an eye on them. Suddenly, right after Pikachu's ears noticed something, the group started to hear some kind of melody.
"Hey, do you guys hear that?" Max called.
"It sounds like...music?" Serena listened.
"Music, in middle of the forest?" Tracey questioned.
"Let's go figure it out." Ash suggested.
"Shouldn't we wait for Fixit to return?" Misty pointed.
"It should be quick, so he will not have to wait that long."
"I agree. Besides, it may be not as interesting as what he finds." Max supported.
"Pikachu, lead the way."
"Pika." Pikachu nodded.
The gang followed the little pokémon to another clear in middle of the forest. What they found there surprised them.
"Is that a radio?" Misty recognized.
"And what is what is playing? Some kind of tune based on Team Rocket's motto?" Max listened.
"I don't like the look of this, it appears like a trap." Tracey said.
And he wasn't wrong, because then a huge mecha resemblance Meowth emerged from the ground and stood in front of them.
"Prepare for trouble, we are back for another." Jessie started.
"And make it double, this one goes for the winner." James followed.
"Meowth, that's right."
"You guys again? Didn't you have enough with one already?" Ash asked.
"Team Rocket never gives up, you should know that already." James recalled.
"Whatever, we will destroy that machine like other times and send them flying away one more time." Max simply said.
"That outcome will not arrive this time, because now we have gotten some backup." Meowth revealed.
"Backup? What kind of…?"
But Serena couldn't finish her sentence, because in that moment they heard Undermine roaring again, which shook some trees at the distance.
"What was that?" Misty asked.
"Not what I planned for now, but it will serve as the sound of your advantage's end."
"Shockblast?!" The group asked in disbelief.
The Decepticon fired his shock cannon, but missed as the gang dodged the impact. But that was what he intended, because immediately Team Rocket's mecha threw some metal cables which wrapped the humans. Pikachu was about to help but he was grabbed by a glove Meowth fired which placed him into a small crystal cage. He tried to break free with his electric attacks, but it didn't cause any damage.
"Haha, didn't you learn we come prepare for your electric tricks?" Meowth mocked.
"Say goodbye to your friends and start getting used to your new home once we're back with the boss." Jessie added.
"You are not gonna take him away!" Ash shouted.
"Enough with provocations, remember that's still part of the bait everyone is, place him back with the others so when the Autobots arrive they see them." Shockblast instructed.
The gang got surprised at seeing Team Rocket following the Decepticon's command.
"Wait, are you three...collaborating with the Decepticons? Have you gone crazy?!" Misty yelled.
"Don't look at us as if we are evil, you forced us to take desperate measures because of your new normality." James defended.
"Just wait for when the Autobots arrive, ending blasting off will be the least of your problems." Ash swore.
"We'll see." Shockblast responded, getting the group nervous.
Speaking about the Bots, they were returning after checking the escape pods.
"It's weird, two escape pods, one from each side and not a single bot nearby. What has become of them?" Sideswipe wondered.
"Maybe they ejected themselves before entering the planet." Arcee supposed.
"Or as I suspect they could be out there, wandering into the wild. We must ask Blaster some vigilance assistance to find them." Bumblebee decided.
"Specially the Con, the last we need now are more foes to increase their ranks." Hot Rod finished.
"Look!" Arcee said pointing to the sky. "It looks like Pikachu's Thunderbolt."
"It may mean the kids may be in trouble. Let's roll!"
The Autobots ran to them, not aware of Fixit, who already finished his task and was returning, he spotted them in a hurry and followed them. For when the Autobots arrived to the clear, they got speechless for how they found their friends and with who they were with.
"Well well." Host started, coming out of nowhere alongside Kickback next to Shockblast. "Look who's here, the welcome committee."
"How very kind, kind, kind." Kickback laughed.
"Cons?!" Arcee asked in shock.
"How did you get our friends?!" Sideswipe demanded.
"You are not the only ones who possess some field advantage anymore." Host revealed pointing at Team Rocket, who saluted from their mecha.
"I don't believe it. You guys have sided with the Decepticons?!" Hot Rod asked in disbelief.
"Enough with the twerps to have a little extra help in our usual game, now we are equal." Jessie answered.
"Let them go, they have nothing to do with this." Bumblebee requested.
"Your request on this situation is clearly illogical." Shockblast responded.
"If you don't wanna get our friends back we will come for them oursel…" Sideswipe said as he advanced, until he started to groan in pain while he put his hands on his head.
"Sideswipe! What's wrong?" Bumblebee assisted.
"My head! It hurts!"
"Hahaha, you like the sound of our temporary doorbell, Autobot?" Kickback mocked.
"Autobots, turn off your audio receptors." Arcee suggested.
"You can try, but I assure you it will not protect you. I have installed a subsonic defense field emitter on Team Rocket's machine which surrounds an enough sized perimeter designed for all kinds of Autobots, configured to affect all your systems." The Decepticon scientist explained.
"It's okay guys, we're fine." Serena reassured them.
"Alright Shockblast, what do you want?" Bumblebee demanded.
"Simple, do not interfere with Team Rocket's business." Meowth immediately answered, but realized he spoke out of turn when Shockblast and the Insecticons looked at him with annoyed faces. "Oh, right. You better respond them about that."
"Besides our new 'associates' demands, we are here for another matter, it doesn't matter if you are aware of it or not. There appears to be a relic buried around here somewhere. I was about to deploy a mining team to locate it, but it would have been very exposed for an attack in case you intervened. But now that's not necessary if we aren't the ones who perform it." Shockblast explained.
"And that's where you play your role, Bots. You are going to locate that relic, extract it and deliver it to us. If you cooperate we will free your friends." Host detailed.
"But if you try to double-cross us or use that relic against us, well…" Kickback smirked as he looked at the gang. "You'll know what will happen next, next, next."
"I guess we don't have any choice, we'll have to play along their way for our friends' safety."
"Don't worry Hot Rod, we will get out of this." Ash tranquilized them.
"Also I must warn you about contacting for help: if we intercept any transmission of Autobot origin…" Host started.
"We get it, we've been warned." Sideswipe interrupted before they departed.
"Ejem, you are not actually going to go with that agreement, don't you? Didn't you forget we take Pikachu with us once this is over as you agreed?" Jessie reminded.
Host laughed. "Of course not."
"Hurray! We finally have won!" The three teammates celebrated.
"I can't believe you have sided with them. You have reached rock bottom." Misty criticized.
"You have no idea what you've gotten yourselves into." Tracey added.
"Why? We just turned the tables." James talked back.
"These robots are invaders from another planet. You just have been fooled to assist them in their conquering campaign." Ash revealed.
Team Rocket looked at them with surprised eyes, until a few moments of silence they laughed loud.
"Space invaders?" James repeated laughing.
"Oh please, you have seen too much sci-fi movies." Jessie said.
"I always thought real aliens will be more like little green men with huge eye balls. Or wait, they are actually pokémon coming from other space." Meowth recalled.
"Don't bother Ash, they are not going to believe us no matter what we say." Serena stopped.
"Then what are we going to do?" Max asked.
Fortunately for them, no one, even the Decepticons, noticed Fixit observed everything hidden between the bushes. Because the other Autobots left with hurry he couldn't tell them, so he was now alone.
"Sweet Solus Prime, this isn't good. I gotta call...trap…" Fixit glitched until he hit his head with a branch to snap out. "Warn anyone."
Then he found himself in front of a long steep. He checked his scanner to see where it lead and saw it headed directly to Pallet Town.
"Hum, it may looks risky, but now I'm the only one who can help everyone by looking for help. I better head back to Ash's house, hoping his mother can help us."
Will all decided, Fixit changed to his alt form and started descend using the steep to travel faster. Although it didn't mean the way was pleasant, with all the obstacles he was forced to dodge and contain his screams, thank Primus he managed to pull out a drill on his frontal part to smash some rocks on the way. Back with the gang…
"We can't stay like this with our friends being forced to do the Cons' bidding. There must be something we can do." Ash whispered.
"We need a way to mislead them so one of us can get away and call for help." Tracey suggested.
"And how are we going to do that?" Serena asked.
"I think I got a way to achieve it." Max announced. "I've seen it work on a few movies with kidnappers and hostages."
"But the movies don't represent real life situations like this." Misty objected.
"Trust me, it may work. Excuse me!"
"What do you want?" One Vehicon asked.
"I'm a little thirsty, can you check if there a pond around here where I can drink some water?"
"I think I've seen one passed those trees." Other Vehicon responded.
"Hold on, why should we go along with a captive's request?" The first questioned.
"Because captives are supposed to remain in good condition for pressuring enemies, and if said prisoners are not well treated they could get sick or worse, which could cause the off of the deal. And surely your commander wouldn't want that yet, right?"
Max explanation cause the Decepticons to look at each other without response, until one of them went to look for the pond.
"Nice act." Misty complemented.
"You are lucky human, there's a pond right there." The returning Vehicon reported.
The Decepticons allowed Max to get up and they took him to the pond. Because they didn't know anything about organic beings' matters they let him in peace, what Max was waiting for. He managed to make a leave of a nearby herb to touch the water, simulating he was drinking, to walk away silently. But when he put enough distance and decided to start running, Host emerged from the ground in front of him, surprising him.
"Don't even try it." He warned as he changed to robot form and grabbed him. "What a bunch of guards you two are made. I'll show you how to handle his kind."
Host returned to the tree where the gang was tied up and took some of the rope, moment that Ash took to pull out Riolu's poke ball and take him out between some small woods. He signaled him to remain quiet.
"Riolu, this is urgent, we need you to go back to Pallet Town and warn my mom. We can only count with you so get hurry." Ash instructed.
After seeing in what mess his trainer and friends got into, Riolu nodded and disappeared into the woods.
"Hey, this is too much!" Max protested.
Returning sight to their captors, they saw what Host took the rope for: he tied up one of Max's legs to the tree and left him hanging upside down.
"You could just tied me back with the others, not leaving me like a Kakuna!" Max yelled.
"This will teach you not to try something like that again. Consider yourself grounded." Host declared.
"Well, more like hanging upside down." Kickback laughed.
Meanwhile, not far from there…
"Are there any clearings on this stupid planet?" Sunstreaker complained after sliding down a tree.
"Follow me!" Goh instructed, making the young Autobot run after him.
Finally the duo reached a clearing.
"Wait, now we are in the open! How is this better?!" Goh asked.
"That now I have room to do this." Sunstreaker responded.
Without warning, the Autobot started changing all the parts of his body until he transformed totally into some kind of cybertronian car.
"Whoa." Goh couldn't avoid say, but had no time for a longer observation when Undermine jumped out of the woods next to them.
"Get in." Sunstreaker advised.
"To you?"
"Come here!" Undermine shouted.
Goh had no choice but to jump inside Sunstreaker through the window before they started driving away.
A seat belt wrapped around Goh. "Seat belt?"
"You're gonna need it." Sunstreaker answered with a determined voice before he speeded up.
Despite the Autobot's speed, Undermine was following them closely, maybe because he had to make lot of turns because of the trees or because the Decepticon was running faster than he looked.
"Scrap, I can't shake this giant. He's persistent as rust." Sunstreaker complained.
Suddenly in that moment Fixit came out like jumping on a ramp in his alt form and ran over one of Undermine's legs, making the Decepticon to trip over. The hit also affected Fixit, who transformed.
"Ouch my head. I'm feeling like a Rampardos after crushing against something way harder." Fixit said dizzy.
"Hey, that's Clemont's robot." Goh recognized.
"You mean a native-made robot? Please, that's a Minibot, and it seems like one of us." Sunstreaker corrected. "Hey, over here!"
"Huh? Hey, please, can...can you take me? It's an emergency!" Fixit begged.
"Get in!" Goh yelled.
Fixit got into Sunstreaker, who took the chance to leave Undermine behind.
"Uff, that was unexpected, most appreciated. Hey, you are that human who accompanied the others at the abandoned base." Fixit identified.
"Yeah, is me, Goh. Nice to see you again, Clembot."
"Clembot? Oh, haha, I get it. I...I can explain all that."
"Hey Minibot, sorry to interrupt this kind conversation but I just arrived on this planet and may need an update of general thing. Are there any other Autobots here?" Sunstreaker interrupted.
"That Autobot thing again, it has something to do with what you said about native-made robot? And how is it that you can transform that way?" Goh remembered.
Fixit, realizing what was going on, sighed. "I guess there's no motive to keep hiding anymore. We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron, summarized as living robots from another world. Ash and the other humans and pokémon are assisting us in stopping the worst version of ourselves from taking over the world. And my name's Fixit."
Goh remained shocked by the revelation. "So, you are true beings from another world somewhere in space?! Whoa, I must say it's more amazing than just sentient weapons made by terrorists."
"Yes it is, but it isn't the moment for admiration and detailed reason: Ash and the others have been captured by the Decepticons and being taken hostage to force the others to look a lost relic for them."
"Ash and his friends are in danger? Then we must do something!"
Suddenly they felt a strong shake, Sunstreaker saw who caused it. "Then I suggest losing sight of that guy first."
Undermine managed to catch up with them and he was approaching.
"We need to get back to Pallet Town so we may call for help, but we can't lure that giant there." Fixit explained.
"Sunstreaker, take us there. I'll handle that monster." Goh instructed.
"You?! You gotta be kidding."
While Fixit transmitted the coordinates from his scanner to Sunstreaker, Goh opened one of the windows as he pulled out one of his poke balls.
"Inteleon, use Snipe Shot, aim for its eyes." Goh instructed as he called out his pokémon.
Inteleon managed to perform a direct hit with the water move on Undermine's eyes, blinding him for a moment, enough so he couldn't see Riolu jumping at him until he smashed his head with Force Palm, taking him down.
"Hey, that's Ash's Riolu, well done. And nice move you too, Inteleon." Goh congratulated.
"Not bad, for a little human. So, let's go find some help." Sunstreaker added.
At the same time, Bee and the others were still on the location Fixit checked moving rocks aside, until Sideswipe spotted the relic's container. Sunstreaker finally arrived to Pallet Town, stopped right in front of Ash's house and allowed Goh, Riolu and Fixit to get out before the Minibot hit the door in hurry.
"I'm coming, I'm coming already. Oh geez, today's young ones are so impatient." Delia said before opening the door. "Oh, nice to see you, Goh."
"No time for explanations, Ms. Ketchum. Ash and the others are in need of help."
"What?! What happened?"
"It appears Shockblast has managed to capture them by siding with those Team Rocket thieves and now they are forcing Bumblebee, Arcee, Hot Rod and Sideswipe to deliver them a relic in exchange." Fixit detailed.
In that moment Sunstreaker transformed. "Wait, did you say Sideswipe? Sideswipe is here?!"
"So if they deliver that relic, whatever it is, they will release them?" Goh asked.
"Don't count on that, pal. One good lesson for the future, never trust a Con's word."
"I'm afraid Sunstreaker has a very crucial point, even if they obtain what they want that doesn't ensure their safety." Fixit supported.
"Then we have to do something by our own."
"Wait right here, I'll be back soon." Delia told them, leaving them confused.
Delia went to the house upper floor, entered one of the rooms and opened one small case. Next, she went to the kitchen, where Mr. Mime was with some chores.
"Mimey, let's go. Ash's in trouble and need us." She said in a serious tone.
"Mime?"
Moments later they came out joining the others. Fixit and Sunstreaker got surprised when they saw what she was holding.
"Is that… a cybertronian gun?" Sunstreaker asked.
"That must be Ash's, which explains why he didn't have it today." Fixit recognized.
"I don't like him going around ordinary places with this thing, so I asked him to leave it at home when he doesn't requires it. But this is an emergency. Alright, let's go safe everyone." Delia commanded.
"I bet Ash will freak out when he sees his mother like this." Goh supposed.
Meanwhile, back with the Decepticons and Team Rocket…
"After the Autobots deliver the relic, you know what to do." Darkscream said to Shockblast through com-link.
"Understood, it will be done."
"Well, I guess once those give you whatever you're waiting for we will go our separated ways with our prices." Meowth announced.
"Not yet. There's still one more thing to settle up."
"Huh?" Team Rocket asked confused.
"We can't just deprive the Autobots of their home field advantage, it must be removed...permanently." Shockblast revealed preparing his shock cannon.
"You are talking about...destroying them?" James questioned in shock.
"Hold on, wait a minute. It's true we don't get along with them most of the time and we are constantly fighting, but it doesn't mean we wish them any big harm."
"Yeah, Meowth's right. It may be hard to admit that sometimes we even had worked together or even acted as pals." Jessie followed.
"And if it weren't for them our purpose would not even exist in the first place. What we want to say is that even if they are our foes, Team Rocket wouldn't be the same without them." James admitted, which surprisingly, when the gang heard it, felt a spark of happiness in their hearts and smiled. "So, isn't termination a little...extreme?"
Host stomped hard, starting making them nervous. "Are you saying you still want them around? You are nuts!"
"Do you know what we call the ones like you in our home? Weaklings." Kickback insulted.
"They have sabotaged our plans countless times, so why not erase them from the board?"
Team Rocket started to realize the huge mistake they made at seeing the true nature of the Decepticons.
"Do they always act like this when it comes to people and pokémon?" Jessie asked to the gang.
"Welcome to the Decepticon style." Ash responded nodding.
"We may be pokémon thieves, but we aren't killers." James surprised.
"Excuse me?" Kickback asked.
"We have lived different situations during our life following the twerps, but in any of them we haven't had to go that far." Meowth defended.
"They even offered us their hand during some difficult hours of us, and we appreciated it. We are no perfect by following Team Rocket's path, but we still prefer it at being monsters like you." Jessie pronounced.
"So you mean you are thinking of ending your deal with us?" Host sensed. "Because if it is you are not the first ones of thinking about it."
"Despite your valuable effort on succeeding over our enemies this time, you have witnessed our performance, and as result, we cannot allow you to leave so easily." Shockblast revealed, making the Vehicons to aim their weapons at them.
"Hey, come one, don't need for violence." Meowth excused.
"Yeah, you don't need to worry about us telling anyone." James defended.
"Our boss would not even believe us." Jessie added.
"Still we cannot take risks, your mere existence is now a threat." Shockblast answered.
Before any of the Decepticons could do anything a shot hit Shockblast's cannon, hitting the conduit connected to his back, breaking it. That got everyone alarmed as more shots surprised them, coming from the woods. At the same time, the Autobots were getting back, now with the relic at hand.
"I know what you all are thinking, but we can't risk our friends' safety at trying any reckless move against the Decepticons."
"I know Bee, but who knows what they could do with this relic." Arcee opined.
"By the way, I wonder what it is. It looks like a spear." Sideswipe observed.
"If only we know where Fixit went, he could check it on his scanner." Hot Rod said, suddenly realizing something. "That's it, Fixit! He wasn't with us during the encounter, he could go and call for help."
Then they heard the sound of gunfire coming from their destination.
"Looks like he already did." Arcee suspected.
"Let's go see it for sure." Bumblebee commanded.
But it wasn't just Fixit the one who was firing: for the gang's disbelief, specially Ash, they saw Delia firing his weapon against the Decepticons while Fixit was using his own guns with Mr. Mime alongside him.
"Impossible, how did him managed to overpass our subsonic field?" Shockblast asked in disbelief covering his face.
"I can't believe Mr. Mime's Reflect move works as an effective barrier against their defense." Fixit expressed, having only his guns exposed out of the pokémon's invisible barrier.
"This is not the first time Mimey has done it." Delia nodded while they continued advancing from two fronts.
The coordinated fire forced the Decepticons to fall back and regroup, chance which Team Rocket took to return to their mecha and use its hands to release Pikachu from his ceiling.
"This isn't anymore about just catching you, Pikachu. Just go help the twerps." Meowth advised.
"Pika." Pikachu nodded before approaching his friends and releasing them by cutting the ropes with Iron Tail.
"Thanks buddy." Ash thanked.
"About time." Misty added.
"Hang it right there Max, we will catch you." Tracey told him.
"Like I have a choice, but I little hurry will be appreciated since I'm starting to feel my blood is getting down my head."
Without warning, Riolu jumped at him and cut his ropes with Vacuum Wave, making him fall, but Serena caught him without trouble.
"Thanks Riolu." Serena thanked.
"Riolu, head for the mecha. You gotta destroy the field emitter." Ash requested.
Riolu saw it when Ash pointed it for him and nodded, jumping between the Cons heading for the mecha.
"Host, Kickback, stop that vermin, the subsonic field mustn't fall." Shockblast instructed.
"You got it, boss." Kickback nodded.
But before the Insecticons could do anything Sunstreaker came out of the woods in vehicle form and run over them, making them trip on.
"Where are you going, bugs?! The party is over here." He mocked.
Host was about to attack but before he could was hit near the eyes by a Snipe Shot while Kickback was surprised in the back with a Blaze Kick. It was done by Inteleon and a Cinderace, standing next to Goh.
"Need a hand over there?"
"Most appreciated little human." Sunstreaker thanked before grabbing both Insecticons and smash each others head. "Normally I'm a lonesome and just cooperate fine with one Autobot."
"Really? I used to act by my own as well, until someone taught me the advantages of work together."
"Glad to see you as well, Goh."
"Ash, look out!"
Suddenly Undermine appeared out of nowhere and was heading right for Ash's group. He was about to smash them, until…
"Mimey, use Psychic!" Delia instructed.
Undermine was paralyzed at the moment by Mr. Mime's psychic powers.
"What? What in the name of the Allspark is going on now?!" The huge Decepticon demanded while being levitated in the air.
"Now send him with his own." Delia added.
"Mime mime!" Mr. Mime said throwing him against most of the Vehicons, ending crushed.
"Wow Ms. Ketchum, I didn't know you were good at pokémon battle." Max noticed.
"Where did you learn that, mom?"
"Let's say it's a family thing."
Riolu managed to reach the emitter and started to use Force Palm to destroy it, but it was tougher than it looked. While he was focused on that some Vehicons started firing at him, before being zapped by Pikachu and his Thunderbolt. Riolu nodded to him as thank you. Shockblast observed this and decided to take care of it himself.
"One lesson for you, one eye machine: don't underestimate Team Rocket's creations." Meowth proclaimed as he sent the mecha's arms against him.
However, Shockblast managed to grab them first. "I also have one for you: cybertronian biomechanisms will always be superior."
He pulled from them so much that he tore them apart, and also dragged Meowth out of the mecha. While he was recovering, Shockblast pulled out his wrist the same kind of device used on Palkia and threw it against Meowth.
"Huh? What the…?" He started, but screamed in pain once the device wrapped around his back and activated.
"Meowth!" Jessie and James shouted.
"I was hoping to use that device on a more proper test subject, but I guess you will serve me." Shockblast revealed.
Because of his smaller size, it didn't took long for Meowth to fall under the dark energon influence. What surprised everyone was when suddenly Shockblast's eye changed to purple.
"What's going on?" Delia asked.
"Don't tell me you also have infused yourself with dark energon, Shockblast." Misty figured out.
"Oh, I'm under your command, sir." Meowth saluted hypnotized.
"Unit, destroy that pokémon right there. Don't let it deactivate the subsonic field." The Decepticon general commanded.
Meowth headed for Riolu with his claws ready, but Ash's pokémon saw him coming and countered with Force Palm, sending him next to Shockblast.
"You've tried to use Meowth to battle our pokémon? Bad choice." Misty picked on.
"What?!" Shockblast asked surprised.
"Of all pokémon of Team Rocket, Meowth is not really the most suitable for battle." Serena revealed.
"Unfortunately they are right there." Jessie admitted embarrassed.
"Meowth is more suitable for thinking and controlling our inventions." James added.
"So you're saying he picked the weakest of all your creatures?!" Host repeated before being hit by Sunstreaker, who pulled out two long blades over his hands, similar to Sideswipe's.
"What use is for me a being not fit for combat?" Shockblast said as he removed the device from Meowth.
Meanwhile, Riolu was still trying to destroy the emitter, now presenting a few cracks.
"Come on Riolu, you almost got it, just a little more. Use all your power!" Ash encouraged.
Riolu jumped high enough and used Force Palm against the emitter again, pushing through the device trying to destroy it. While this happened Riolu's body started to glow, next it started to change a little in form and size while the emitter started to break completely. It exploded, shutting down the emitter, allowing Fixit to exit Mr. Mime's protective barrier and go to check Meowth's condition, applying a spray similar to the one Ratchet used to cure Palkia. At the same time, while the smoke from the explosion was dying off, Ash and Pikachu were looking for Riolu, hoping he was okay, assisted by Goh and his pokémon, until they saw a silhouette between the smoke. Once it disappeared they saw what it was.
"Is that...Riolu?" Goh asked.
"No, not anymore." Tracey denied smiling.
"He has evolved." Serena saw.
"Now it's...Lucario." Ash spoke.
Indeed, Riolu finally evolved.
"It seems the effort in destroying that thing was the trigger to induce his evolution." Max deduced.
"Whoa that's awesome. Nice to see you're fine, Lucario." Ash saluted.
"Pikachu."
Lucario was confused at first, realizing it for the first time checking his body.
"Meowth!" Jessie and James yelled going to check their buddy once Fixit ended the treatment.
"Speak to us!" Jessie asked.
"How are you feeling?" James added.
Meowth groaned. "I feel like my head has done tons of spins without pause. And my tummy feels like I'm gonna throw up."
"You fools! You may have neutralized the subsonic field, but I also installed something to ensure you cannot use your creation to fight us back." Shockblast revealed as he pressed a button on his wrist, which caused a beep sound to come from the mecha.
"What is that?" Jessie demanded.
"A self-destruct detonator, which countdown will just take a few seconds to obliterate your whole machine."
And that's what happened: Team Rocket's mecha exploded in no time. And as always they ended back to the sky.
"Not again! Another bunch of scrap to send for the scrapyard." Jessie complained.
"Well, at least this time we don't have to make any unbelievable excuse, we can say it was made by cheap materials." James invented.
"And other thing for the record: never trust a robot, at least one not created by our own hand." Meowth ended.
"Wobbuffet."
"Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
"Are they gonna be fine?" Goh asked.
"Don't worry, it happens to them almost every time we run into them." Misty reassured him.
"Don't want to ruin the good moment but now that we are all free and without any restrains in the way we should meet with the others." Fixit suggested.
"I support that choice." Tracey nodded as they started to get way.
But Shockblast got in the way. "Not so fast, we still have an unfinished issue."
"Then you better end it with me."
Shockblast got surprised by a familiar voice addressing to him and turned to see Elita One before she kicked him on the chest, sending him backwards.
"What? I thought the Autobots couldn't send any distress call." Host recalled.
"Of Autobot origin maybe, but not from a human. I made sure of warning them." Delia surprised pulling out her phone.
"Elita, catch!"
Bumblebee, already there with the rest of the team, threw the relic to the female Autobot leader, who caught it on one hand, making it react in an unexpected way: the spear expanded and got bigger, ending like some ancient ceremonial cybertronian spear which Elita could hold with both hands.
"Looks like you are now in a big disadvantage, Shockblast." Elita said, getting ready to use the spear in battle.
"That I cannot access my weapon systems doesn't mean I cannot make use of my other combat capabilities."
Shockblast pulled out his sword and started rumbling with Elita. Despite the advantage of being faster thanks to her little smaller size, Shockblast was making good use of his experience as former gladiator, making her pass a tough time. That until she blocked her opponent's sword with the spear, that caused it to generate a current of energy which traveled through Shockblast's weapon and ended pushing him backwards. Elita got surprised by the spear's surprise, but had no time for distraction as Shockblast got up immediately. She tried a move of push aside her opponent's blade and strike with the spear, and although it didn't reach his torso, it unleashed a powerful blast of energy which sent him flying backwards, right next to Undermine.
"Huh? Are you...Shockwave?" He asked.
"You are beaten now, Shockblast. Your plan has failed and now you are the one surrounded. Give up and Optimus will be merciful regarding your fate for your war crimes." Elita pronounced.
"That's doesn't enter in our options. Instead…"
Everyone waited for Shockblast to finish his speech not aware that Undermine grabbed some of the rubble of Team Rocket's former mecha and threw it against them. Elita reacted aiming the spear at it, firing it a beam of energy which destroyed it. However, that gave the Decepticons the chance to escape.
"You are still the one known as Shockwave, don't you?" Undermine repeated while the escaped.
"Your assumption is most logical."
"Great, because I wanted to talk to you about something."
The Autobots checked around the area for any clue about the Decepticons.
"Scrap, they got away." Hot Rod cursed.
"What do you expect? They are masters when it comes to cowardice." Arcee recalled.
"At least they will not get this relic anymore. And our friends are all here safe and sound." Bee pointed looking at them.
"Em, but it seems we have a little stowaway as well." Sideswipe added.
"Don't worry guys, Goh is also a trustworthy friend." Ash reassured them.
"Sorry that we had to hide this from you, but it is more greater than anyone can imagine." Serena apologized.
"I understand, don't sweat it. But I must admit seeing you all acting all together made me comprehend the importance of belonging to a group." Goh confessed.
"Are you saying with this you want to be part of this team?" Delia sensed.
"Well, I'm not completely sure. Perhaps...I don't know, better know the whole thing before making my definitely decision."
"That sounds like a wise reasoning." Elita supported.
"Then you would not be alone on this, kid. I know it has been just a little time since we met, but I sense you and I may end in good terms with each other." Sunstreaker surprised.
"Oh right, we got a new Autobot to join our fight. Guys, commander, this is…" Fixit started.
"Sunstreaker?!"
"Hey Sideswipe! Long time no see you!"
"Hahaha, where have you been all these eons, bro!?"
To everyone's surprise, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker ended hugging in a close and affectionate hug.
"Sideswipe, you know him?" Hot Rod asked.
"How could not know him? He's my twin brother."
"What?!" Everyone asked in surprise.
"Well, it makes sense. Look the resemblance between them two." Max pointed.
"A new member in our gang, a new Autobot for the team, Ash's pokémon evolved and a relic recovered, these are great news. We need to tell everyone." Misty pointed.
Moments later everyone returned to New Iacon, where the gang welcomed Goh and admired Lucario, which made the pokémon blush in embarrassment, while Sunstreaker was admiring the place where he was gonna live from now on.
"Now bad at all, maybe I can get used to this place, and with work with others beside you." Sunstreaker admitted.
"Trust me bro, you have no idea. Come on, let me show you the place around before meeting the rest of Team Prime." Sideswipe lead.
Some of the other Autobots were also admiring the new relic.
"The Proton Spear, a weapon apparently used by the Thirteen. Its exact capabilities and which Prime or Primes wielded it are supposed to be unknown." Optimus told.
"Well, I think I might be able to figure it out as I have already started." Elita proclaimed holding it.
"It really suits you well." Moonracer complemented.
"Just like the commander does with the big hammer." Wheeljack pointed.
"And you better figure out how to use it, specially now that new opponents are showing up more recently."
"You have a point, Ratch. It's like with each passing day more and more Cons come to join the fight." Warpath said.
"This isn't looking good, we need more Autobots to come to assist us."
"Our brothers and sisters will meet with us in their right time, Smokescreen. For now, the best we can do is wait." Optimus proclaimed.
"Well, we got today a new pal with us, that's something." Hot Rod pointed looking at the group.
While this happened, there was another reunion taking place on the Nemesis.
"Take a note, never side with humans, specially if they are ones only good for failure." Darkscream declared.
"And it seems we also let another relic to fall at hands of the Autobots." Spacestream added.
"Indeed, but the day has not been a completely failure." Shockblast revealed as Undermine stepped in.
"Whoa, and I thought it couldn't be someone with bigger muscles than me." Quake admitted.
"I'm Undermine, loyal servant of the Decepticons. I've came here hoping to find someone special."
"And that one is Shockblast?" Knock Out pointed.
"For exactly what?" Xiaxus demanded.
"I heard you once performed some secret experiments which goal was to create some beast machine super soldiers by using captured Autobots as test subjects." Undermine narrated.
"Yeah, I heard about the project. Shockblast merged DNA of creatures from another world with those Autobots' genetic code, causing modifications in their combat efficiency." Thundercracker reminded.
"And the resulting creations ended becoming indomitable all smashing Autobot destroyers." Darkscream criticized.
"But...that was the purpose of the project, so the experiment was a success." Slipstream defended.
"Exactly, and that's why I looked for you all this time. Shockblast, I want you to turn me into the same Grimlock became: an unstoppable destruction bringer beast." Undermine revealed.
"For what purpose?"
"To beat him, and prove being stronger than anyone else."
The three Decepticon generals looked each other, thinking the same about the matter.
"Having such great asset on our side could give us lots of advantage." Xiaxus started.
"Like finally stand against Predaking." Darkscream smirked. "Can you repeat it?"
"I will require the necessary instrumental for the procedure." Shockblast answered.
"Very well then. Undermine, your request is approved. We expect a great contribution from you for the Decepticons."