2- Troubled Times
"It has been a while since we Autobots chose to protect planet Earth, home of pokémon and human race, and ours now too. With our creator's boon to keep on fighting, we have made sure to safeguard the freedom of all this world's inhabitants, and our newest friends. But sadly, things are currently not well." Optimus Prime narrated.
"This world has been the greatest challenge we Decepticons have ever faced in all our long campaign. After the lost of our lord and master Galvatron we thought things would never be as we once knew. But recently, as a long-desired reward granted by the universe, our forces have been uplifted by a forgotten aspect of our ancient history. Now we are back with all full strength to take what's rightfully ours." Darkscream told on the other hand.
"These are troubled times: despite our greatest victories, the lost of the Decepticons' great leader among others, our enemies have managed to find new renewed might to come back in search of their twisted ambitions. It has been a while since we last heard from our great leader and friend, Sentinel Prime. He left us to find some questionable individuals who called themselves Creators. Some believe he will never return, but deep in my spark I know he's still out there, searching. At this point in time, some of our friends may be starting to ask themselves this: we look at the skies with dread and we wonder: how much of our time remains? What other mysteries, and most important, threats remain hidden in the dark corners of the universe? One hundred billion of planets in the cosmos...and since we have memory, our kind chose Earth. Why? Either way, this stalemate cannot last…"
"One side must win."
"And yet the battle continues. This is our finest hour. Earth is within our grasp, and now is only matter of time victory will finally be within the Decepticons' reach." The Fallen ended.
During the speech, the scene showed the space around Earth's orbit, totally calm with no activity. Until a meteor broke the silence, making its way to Earth. The meteor crash-landed in a forest, somewhere in the Hoenn region. The landing was brutal, and loud enough to scare all the nearby pokémon which witnessed the event. But while this happened, around the forest, something was moving between the woods, two silhouettes making their way at the same direction the meteor landed. Once reaching the edge of the forest it showed they were just Ash Ketchum and Pikachu. But the duo didn't look like they were traveling, instead their looks seemed like if they were searching for something.
"Do you get something, buddy?" Ash asked.
Pikachu smelled the ground, trying to find any trace of what they were searching. But he denied. "Pika pika."
"That's weird. How can you lose something as large and destructive as a meteorite?"
"Pi?" Pikachu suddenly said as his ears seemed to pick something. "Pika."
"You found it?" Ash said as he picked his cybertronian gun from his back. "Let's go check it out."
The duo advanced toward where Pikachu sensed that, passing above a small hill. Once they reached the top they got surprised what they saw: at the other side stood a crater, surely caused by the meteor. But it wasn't a meteor, it seemed more like some kind of escape pod, or part of a cybertronian ship.
"This must be what Blaster detected." Ash saw.
"Pika pi?"
"No clue of who belongs, there's no emblem on it. Of course, if it was from the Bots they should have know it. Better make sure to know what we are dealing with."
Trainer and pokémon got closer to the ship, climbing up to the top.
"Wait, look. I think there's someone inside, it may be a survivor."
He and Pikachu pulled out from the entrance point together, trying to get inside. While they did that they weren't aware that someone had followed them: a few meters from them, between some bushes, Stinger was observing quietly. After some effort pulling they finally open an entrance and took a look to the inside: there was indeed a cybertronian lying on the pilot's seat, but it looked dead or unconscious. Another weird fact was the cybertronian's appearance: its armor looked just like the one of a knight, and showed no emblem of both Autobots or Decepticons. Ash approached his hand to the robot's head to check if it was really dead, but when it made contact it awakened with a spasm.
"Woah, thank Arceus, you're fine. Don't worry, we're just here to help you." Ash started, trying to calm it down.
"Please. Protect from Alpha Q…" The robot said.
"What?" Ash asked, before noticing a bad wound on one of the sides of the robot's body, and it was leaking energon. "Oh no. I should have taken Clemont with me at least. Hand on, everything will be fine."
Ash tried to stop the energon leak, but the knight simply pushed it aside. "Take the…" It removed its battle helmet as it opened a small compartment on its chest and pulled out something. "The talisman...will protect you."
Ash looked the small object, a small medallion like item with a strange symbol on the center. "You don't owe me anything."
"Please...take it...with you. It will show you...the way."
After those last words the knight's light went off, he perished. Pikachu approached the knight, touched his head and tried to reanimated him with his electric attacks.
"It's over, buddy. Stop it, he didn't make it. It's gone." Ash lamented.
After seeing this with his eyes' zoom, Stinger got ready to act. But before he could he heard a horn approaching. It came from a dark green Oshkosh Medium Tactical Defense Vehicle, which almost reaching where Ash and Pikachu were it transformed into a huge Autobot with a body full of ammunition pieces and a turret over one of his shoulders, it seemed like a military veteran.
"Hound's in town. Love starting the day off with a gunfight. Sorry I'm late, kiddo. My invitation to this early morning recon must've got lost in the mail!" The new Autobot, Hound, excused himself while he stood ready with a heavy gatling gun at hand ready to fight, until he noticed Ash standing on the ship with his head down. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"He didn't make it."
That also demoralized the tough Bot. "Oh, I see. Sorry kid, these things happens in life, you like it or not. The sooner you learn to live with them the better. Now let's go back, there's no more for us here."
Hound transformed, driving back where they came once the duo got inside him. During the travel, Ash thought about what the knight said before he died, and looked at the talisman on his hand. What he was referring to him? He saying to protect it from something, but what? What was its importance? Meanwhile, at the same time, very far from Hoenn, inside some cave, there was another cybertronian, but one around human size, with some parts of its body that looked like gears or pieces of ancient tools. It seemed to be waiting for someone, until a human silhouette approached him.
"Why did you want me to come in such a hurry?" A young voice, probably of the human, asked.
"My friend, do you remember that weird thing I've been waiting for a long time to happen that I told you about? I think it's really happening this time." The human sized cybertronian answered as he opened a secret passage and ignited a little flame in the top of one of his fingers.
"Are you...sure about it?"
The duo went stairs down, standing next in front of a weird huge object which surface was fluctuating constantly.
"I'm certain. The knight has arrived, the talisman has been bestowed." The robot answered. "And I think I know who he is."
"Then you should bring him here as soon as you can."
Time later, Ash, Pikachu and Hound were reaching their destination. At the distance, at the other side of the sea, they spotted LaRousee City, the technological city were Ash and some of his friends witnessed their first contact with Deoxys and Rayquaza, but it wasn't there were they were heading. Instead, they headed to some kind of junkyard which was also city's property, a place where they processed the spare parts of the city's systems, tools and inventions. Since the last encounter, the fight against the Decepticons has become harder now with The Fallen, the rogue Prime, leading them. But fortunately a few good news came for the Autobots' too: first of all, thanks to the worked alliances with selected trustworthy humans, Optimus managed to expand their forces' operations around the regions, using the junkyard as a disguised supply center, where Autobots could use the remains humans left to convert them to replacements, source materials and other usefulness derived from recycling; besides, shortly after The Fallen's return the other Autobots who Ash's group met at first finally came back, bringing with them other missing Bots ready to protect their new home; and also that they received a message sent to them. Right at that moment all his friends were present there, helping tidying up the whole place, and some Autobots were busy on something, like Drift.
"No fear. No hate. No anger." The samurai Autobot recited while he was standing, or better said meditating, leaning on just one of his swords upside down.
Bonnie and Dedenne were watching it with confused looks. "I wonder why he does that. Do you think he's trying to act like a compass?"
"Nene?" The little pokémon said before approaching the Autobot, climbing up a mountain of junk nearby and jumping right into the free sword.
Even with so little extra weight, Drift noticed it and made him lost balance, falling while Dedenne went back with Bonnie. "Bonnie, I would appreciate if you and your pokémon don't disturb me while I'm performing my meditation sessions."
"Oh, so you were meditating?" Bonnie said.
"It's very important for a warrior to remain focused in middle of battle, or for relieve stress." Windblade added approaching.
In that moment a warning sound was heard in all the area.
"Hey, you know what that means, right?" Bonnie started.
"Ash's back!" Serena ended, heading to the entrance.
"Hey girls." Ash saluted, taking the chance to get off Hound and hugging his girlfriend while Pikachu went play with Dedenne.
"What's wrong? You seem a little down."
"We were late, he didn't make it."
"Oh Ash, you don't have to feel guilty."
"She's right." Hot Rod supported. "There are things not even the most powerful of beings can even control, so don't think about it too much."
Ash sighed, accepting their friends' advice. "Thanks guys, that helped. Let's go with the others, I have something to share."
"Oh right, perhaps we may finally heard the message." Serena revealed.
"Huh? What message?"
"The one Blaster received last night, the only thing he said was that it was sent to Optimus."
"It could be from Sentinel Prime." Bonnie suggested.
"Woah, then we better go with the rest so we can catch up." Ash nodded before following Hound.
At the junkyard's center, most of Autobots and their human companions were busy with different duties: Perceptor, an Autobot scientist, was sorting everything on the command center, just when Hound arrived, who wasn't exactly a discreet Bot by the way he did: at transforming released a bunch of missiles which exploded nearby.
"Booyah! Big time!"
"What in the…? Hound!" Perceptor called.
"What's your problem, dude?"
"What's with that doing? Letting go detonating objects on your way in a place like this."
"That's the way I roll, I like to make a statement when I arrive." He said, making some of the children present laugh at his behavior.
"Well, you can't just do that here, you are making a mess of the complex."
"This ain't no complex, it's a junkyard!"
"Keep those conflictive circuits in check, buddy in arms. Save it for the enemy." Ironhide tranquilized arriving. "Hey kids, nice to set optics on you again."
"We are glad to have you here too." Dawn acknowledged.
"So these are the little beings which welcomed us into their world in our hour of need?" A blue female Autobot, taller than Arcee and Moonracer but not as Elita One, said standing next to Ironhide. "I have heard many good things about you."
"Pals, meet Chromia."
"Second-in-command of Elita One's military unit, veteran of the War for Cybertron."
"And a very most pleasant company." Ironhide ended, making her blush, making the humans notice what relationship those two had.
"Please, get yourselves a private room in New Iacon." Hound said covering his face and leaving.
On the other hand, Goh was watching the TV with Sunstreaker.
"Look at those color schemes, they're so pretty. Imagine them on a cute fembot."
"Haha, the last thing would be you changing your color scheme one day after another." Goh laughed.
Ritchie returned after delivering a box full of item. "And that's it, the last one. Is that all you requested, Jetfire?"
"Yeah, that should be fine. Now let's see: 5 sets of electric panels, 8 boxes of primary components, 3 prototypes for alternative power sources and 30 bunches of brand recycled spare parts. Did I miss something?"
"Don't ask me, air general." An Autobot with red, blue and grey touches, resembling a plane, Air Raid, answered while he and other similar but silver were carrying boxes. "Ask Silverbolt, in case he recalls something I missed."
"Hey guys, have you seen a police car around here?" Tracey asked arriving alongside Kiawe.
"A police car? No." Ritchie denied. "Why?"
"Local officer Jenny has reported its missing, and that it was nearby when it happened." Kiawe explained.
"Hum, you know? Since there are no remains of cars and other vehicles here when you guys reclaimed this place, I think I recall seeing something like that earlier this morning."
"Actually Iris, I'm seeing it right now. Hey Grimlock! Could you please turn around? What do you got in your mouth?" Strongarm started, seeing the Dinobot leader carrying a car in his jaws, very similar to the one they mentioned.
"This? It's just...something new I'm trying, to figure out how it tastes."
"Well, that looks like Jenny's car, drop it. Drop it now!"
"Be careful Strongarm, usually no one shouts at Grimlock if they aren't ready to face his Dinobot rage." Sideswipe taunted while the Autobot cadet went after the Dinobot, trying vainly to retrieve the vehicle while the gang and a few Bots laughed at this.
Tired at Strongarm's attempts of taking his meal, Grimlock ended swallowing the car, but seconds later spilled it.
"Serves you right, cars are not eaten." Strongarm reproached.
"It's Slag's fault! He told me it could be Cesium Salami." Grimlock protested.
"No, I said it smelled similar to Berylium Bologna!" Slag argued.
"Cesium Salami!"
"Oh geez, they're starting again." Snorkel complained.
"Once those two bring up the topic, they just can't stop." Slash added.
Predaking also heard the Dinobots argue, but he simply chose to ignore them and return to rest. Meanwhile, the two genius of the human gang were immersed on their own topic.
"Are you sure you wanna try luck, Sophocles? Keep in mind learning theory is not the same as operating on the field."
"Clemont, you and Ratchet have shown me lots of simulations, and I have read all your manual's sections 3 times at minimum. I think I'm more than ready for my first practice."
Strongarm chuckled. "How nice of you to keep your instruction by the book."
"Yeah, but what I don't get is why I'm supposed to be the voluntary patient." Smokescreen pointed lying on an imitation of a medical berth.
"To make the situation more realistic." Clemont answered before displaying a hologram over the Autobot from his backpack. "Okay Sophocles, here's the case: say you got an inline energon leak on a normal-size Autobot. Don't get it fixed, its about to bleed out, you got 30 seconds. Now, what are you gonna do?"
"Oh, I feel so terrible. I'm dying." The young Autobot imitated, trying to appear realistic.
"Hmm, maybe this is just my personal point of view, but if I was fixing an energon leak I'd cauterize the artery and re-channel the central flow into an alternative vein to share out the energon pressure until it's stabilized." Sophocles answered.
"Not bad, you're starting to get the hang of it." Clemont congratulated.
"You may end up becoming as good as a doctor as you are an inventor." Wedge complemented. "By the way, the recognition team has already returned."
Three vehicles entered the junkyard: Whirl, a grey car followed by a red Dodge Challenger.
The grey car transformed. "Hey pals, nice how are you tiding up this huge bunch of useless waste."
"Nice for you to entertain us with your jokes again, Jazz." Nautica said rolling her eyes.
"Who's the car which comes with you and Whirl?" Lillie asked.
The red car transformed into another medium size Autobot, with the detail of horns on his head. "Glad to see you after so long, buddies."
"Nice to have you with us, Cliffjumper." Bee saluted with a high five. "So, what do you have?"
"Surprisingly the Ark is in better shape than I remember. Of course, the main thrusters says it may not be able to take flight for a long while."
"If only we could take it to New Iacon, somehow, we could repair it properly." Whirl proposed.
"Not just only that kid, we may be able to upgrade it to the next level, allowing it to be able to match the Nemesis' firepower." Jazz added.
"Upgrading the Ark from transport to warship. You think it can be done?"
"With the right materials and proper infrastructure to perform such improvements, maybe." Seaspray nodded. "And speaking about supplies' collection, here's our good pal Springer, one of the toughest Wreckers of all."
A curious vehicle approached the junkyard by air, a green with yellow touches heavy cybertronian starfighter, and the moment it hit ground it changed to some kind of cybertronian tank which drove as fast as a car.
"Seaspray, Jackie, how nice of you two to finally settle down after too much time each wandering by your own." The Autobot, Springer, saluted after transforming.
"I would have said the same for you, Spring." Wheeljack answered while they fist-bumped.
"Another old buddy?"
"You bet Misty, and one of the best since he's good at both battling from distance as well close combat." Seaspray nodded.
"Don't be so soft on yourself, since your little partner here has bragged about your united performance recognizing underwater. Speaking of scouting, check out what curious souvenirs I collected on my way back after fulfilling my duty." Springer said as he started to take out a few things. "Look what I found in Crown City: ladies and gentleman, the half of Lockdown's head."
"Hehe, sounds ironic how this guy has ended to being nothing more than a lobbing ball's replacement." Wheeljack laughed as he picked up the remain of their former chaser.
"Em, even so, I would advise you not to put it near our pokémon. Even if he's gone he seems to still get us the creeps." Serena begged.
"Hey guys, the meeting is about to start." Lana called.
Everyone gathered around the command center, waiting for the other Autobots to call them.
"And what about you, Hound?" Mallow asked, as she decided to try knowing the new Autobots better. "Are you technically considered overweight?"
"No. It's just all my gear. It's like somebody packed 10 pounds of ammo in a five-pound sack."
"No, he's just a chunky Autobot." Moonracer taunted.
"You wanna stop that?"
"Hey guys, they're here." Tracey called.
At the moment Optimus' image appeared on a screen. "Thank you all for waiting, my friends. Blaster, you may proceed."
"After deciphering the whole security measures this is what I discovered: indeed, the message comes from Sentinel Prime."
"He's still out there." Ash deduced.
"Thank goodness." Serena celebrated.
"Who is this Sentinel Prime?" Predaking asked.
"The Autobot leader that preceded me during the war on Cybertron, my wise teacher and good friend." Optimus answered.
"It was him who established the first contact with our human companions, which led to the alliance we share today." Elita explained.
"After our first strike against the Decepticons and Team Alien on this planet, Sentinel departed in search of the ones who sent Lockdown after him, the called Creators." Ratchet continued.
"And you think he may have brought news about his progress in this message?"
"We are not sure Ultra Magnus, but this is the first sign of activity from him since a long time. Whatever it contains it must be of high importance." Optimus said.
"I'm going to reproduce it, right now." Blaster announced while he pressed the right commands.
"This is Sentinel Prime, this is a message of high priority, so I pray Primus that it reach your hands only, Optimus. I have followed the trail left by the seed, in hope of finding any clue about the Creators' current whereabouts, but also aware of any possible stranded Autobot comrades in need or Decepticon forces still in the fight. My search seemed to be longer than I expected, so I ensured stopping for shelter and recharge when it possible, knowing I need to be at the top of my game by the time I meet them. Finally it seemed I reached to the most obvious place of all for searching, their own home planet. But when I arrived I just found an infertile world. It appeared they received an unexpected visit, surely a hostile force which attacked them without provocation. After inspecting closely it was obvious that invasion force was no doubt cybertronian, my fear is that it was surely our enemies' undoing, since the time when it happened was later our planet's fall. However, it appears not all of them perished, as I detected an ancient record about a general off-world mobilization. I don't know what their intentions are Optimus, but I warn you to remain alert, as it seems that their journey trajectory leads right to where I departed. I'll try to rendezvous with you as fast as I can, although I'm not sure if I will make it in time. But I know without a doubt, that in case worst happens, you will be there to lead everyone in your darkest hours, so I count on you, my apprentice. Good luck there, and till all are one."
After the message's end, everyone was speechless.
"So it seems he didn't encounter them. He's fine." Ritchie started.
"But he has mentioned they are on their way here." May added.
"With all that, it is good or bad news?" Sophocles asked.
"I did not expect their situation being worse than we thought. Also the motive of them wanting to come all the way here I do not know." Optimus pronounced.
"Think they also felt The Fallen's arrival?" Warpath asked.
"It may be, as the Primes warned Optimus before he showed up." Mirage supported.
"We can't jump into conclusions yet, since there's not enough information Sentinel has provided about this unexpected matter." Perceptor opined.
"You said they sent Lockdown to our world, and he sided with Team Alien to hunt down others like you, Decepticons included." Goh reminded.
"That's right, they may be looking for revenge." Max supported.
"It's not so unbelievable, if I suffered the lost of my planet I would also be looking for payback once I know the responsible ones' last known location." Arcee added.
"But why would the Decepticons attack them like that?" Lillie wondered.
"When I was a clerk back in Iacon, Megatron also showed interest about Cybertron's past history. One of the chapters focused on the time when our kind was threatened by slavery." Optimus mentioned.
"So based on the historical records, Megatron wanted to ensure not to give them the privilege of another try and chose to attack first in case of finding their home." Ultra Magnus deduced.
"If that's true, then who knows what intentions they could have in mind for all of us." Fixit finished.
"What we would all give to have Sentinel back right now." Elita said.
While everyone was still debating about the new discovery, Ash remembered something as well. "Oh, now I remember. Optimus, I gotta tell you something."
"What is it, Ash?"
"Today we found a crashed cybertronian ship here on Hoenn. The pilot didn't make it, but he entrusted me this. He also told me to keep it safe from...something, though he didn't say what."
At the moment Ash pulled out the talisman, Optimus looked at it with high interest.
"It cannot be." The Autobot leader expressed in disbelief.
"Is that…?" Ratchet started.
"Is everything alright?" Serena asked.
"Ash, the Autobot who give it to you, what it did look like?" Elita requested.
"Well, it wasn't an Autobot. At least he didn't show the emblem, for what I saw. And regarding its appearance, it resembled that of an ancient knight." Ash detailed as he showed a picture he made with his Pokétch.
"I see, so it is a real one."
"Optimus?"
"Ash, what you have in your hand is a talisman of a Iacon Knight."
"A what?" Scorn asked in surprise.
"Really?" Hot Rod added.
"I heard about them, but just as an ancient tale." Whirl followed.
"What do you know about them?" Iris demanded.
"The Iacon Knights were the very first protectors of Cybertron, the ones who fought against the invaders on that period. Their brave actions managed to free our ancestors, marking the beginning of the Golden Age." Optimus told.
"Wow, by the way you say it they were some great heroes." Bonnie admired.
"And what was about them?" Clemont asked.
"No one knows it. After that they simply disappeared, without any trail let behind of their existence, except the armors Grimlock and his team acquired." Ratchet answered.
"Until now. I don't believe the appearance of that talisman as well as Sentinel's warning may be a coincidence. This must be a signal, of troubling news coming." Optimus concluded.
Later at night, while everyone else was resting, Ash remained awake looking to the stars, with the talisman still at hand, thinking about what Optimus said before: did really the talisman's discovery meant something bad was gonna happen? Who did the knight say he had to protect it from? And above all, is those 'Creators' were truly coming to Earth, for what purpose? Would they come in peace? While he mentally debated about it, he was not aware that a cloaked figure was observing him from a distant cliff, as he was on top of a tower. Meanwhile, hidden in the darkness of space at some distance from Earth, the Decepticon warship, the Nemesis, continued watching the planet patiently. Inside, Stinger walked to the main bridge, where he met with the Decepticon leaders.
"Sirs, lord The Fallen, I've returned." Stinger saluted bowing.
"Stinger, I hope your scouting has provided any promising discovery." Darkscream said before The Fallen signaled him to remain calm.
"Report."
"The object that crash-landed was a cybertronian ship, but it wasn't neither one of ours or from the Bots. When I got a closer look I caught this." Stinger said showing a holographic photo from his wrist.
"Hum, I've never seen one like it." Shockblast opined taking a look.
"This one's ancient, more than any other cybertronian I can recall." Xiaxus mentioned.
"It looks similar to those guardians of Crystal City. They looked like coming from previously the Golden Age." Darkscream added.
"Of course. That ancient armor, it can only be an Iacon Knight." The Fallen recognized.
"What? The ancient order of fighters that protected Cybertron during its darkest hour, previously the Great War?"
"Did you know them, my liege?"
"No Xiaxus, they were founded long after my banishment. But even from exile I was able to witness their event. And if there is one on Earth, it can only mean one thing: it is here."
"The what?" Stinger asked.
"The Life Bender Staff, the ancient relic which belonged to my brother Quintus Prime, the creator of life. It was made just specifically for him to use, his signature relic, just like the Requiem Blaster is mine."
"An impressive work of development to share its power for both use at both hands." Shockblast added, seeing the cannons of The Fallen's arms.
"It is said the staff held a massive amount of power, capable of infusing worlds of life, as of snatching away."
"A weapon of ultimate power, and is hidden on Earth?" Darkscream summarized, smirking about where this conversation was going. "If we find this staff we may finally get the upper hand on this fight."
"And even use it to get our world back. The last I knew was that it was entrusted to the knights for safeguarding, and that only the talisman can lead to it. Tell me you have found it."
"I saw it: the dying knight gave it to that human, Ash. I was about to intervene and retrieve it, but the Autobots showed out of nowhere." Stinger told.
Obviously The Fallen wasn't pleased to hear that, as he charged his Requiem Blaster. "You let the talisman get away?! We must have it! Without the talisman, we cannot find the staff!"
"The kid got away, but I managed to put him a tracker. It will show us his location at every moment."
"This is a chance we cannot afford to lose, our whole future depends on the success of this quest."
"I'll assembly a strike team at once. Fear nothing my liege, we will have the talisman." Darkscream offered.
But it seemed they weren't the only ones interested on that relic, because at the same time, still far from Earth, Nemesis Prime seemed a little different as Quintesson engineers seemed to be working on him. Meanwhile, he was talking with their leader.
"Your world is now lifeless? We must restore your home." Nemesis said.
"There is a way to heal our world. The power of creation, the staff, was stolen by the guardian knights. They abandoned their own and hid it on Earth, the planet where you came from. Gave it to your precious humans. The staff is the only way to bring life back to Quintessa. You are going to find it for me. Tell me my creation, do you seek redemption?"
"My maker, I do."