Chapter 85: The Phoenix:
Steel's POV:
We were training in the training hall. It was an obstacle course. I turned on my beast mode and tried to avoid the obstacles... I got splattered. The rest of the team made it through.
"Hey, wait, those of you who had powers," I said, "didn't use any!"
"Because that would've been cheating," says Erika.
"You can't rely on powers all the time," says Sunset.
"But powers are awesome. For example, I'm a living weapon. I have blasters and incredible strength. Plus, I can transform!"
"But what if you get stuck in beast mode," asks Arashi.
"Why would that ever happen?"
Then Director Flagg came in. "You're needed in Arizona."
. . .
We arrived in Arizona.
"So, what do you think we're dealing with," asks Miko.
"Probably that," says Raf.
We all look and see a familiar looking fiery bird.
"A phoenix," asks Arashi, "we already dealt with that!"
"No, the last one was quiTte a roc turned into a phoenix, this one is a naTtually born phoenix," says Drake, "a phoenix is a large flame-wreathed bird, known for its unique ability to immolaTte itself, only to be reborn again from its ashes. It is reveed in some cultues as a deity."
"Other names for the creature include the Firebird, Bennu, Feng, Ho, Hwang, and O," says Erika, "that book really comes in handy."
"You knoh, in the creature world, there's this one phoenix whoh is the youngah bruhthah of Infernus the Immolator. His name is Moegami." says Brightmore.
"So, can we beat it with water," I asked.
"No, that's not going to work," says Drake, "I just need you lot to hold it down so I can use the dice."
"I got this," I said, but then I started short circuiting.
"Steel, are you okay," asks Raf.
"I... don't... know..."
"It's a longshot," says Jack, "but Steel, turn to your beast mode!"
I do just that and turn to my scarab form. "Hey, I feel fine now."
"I think it's best if you stay in beast mode," says Jack.
"Alright, I'll fly to that bird!" I then flew.
. . .
I was flying to the phoenix, but I had a problem. I don't have access to my weapons. "Alright, I guess I could just punch it." I try, but I'm not as strong as I used to be. Plus, the phoenix was on fire. It sent me to the ground.
. . .
I woke up and everyone was surrounding me.
"You okay," asks Sunset.
"I think so..." I turn to my robot mode, but then the weird force happens again, so I turn back to my beast mode.
"D'ya think the phoenix is doing this," asks Miko.
"I've never known the phoenix to mess with robots," says Drake, "but then again, my world doesn't have alot of robots."
"Did you roll the dice," I asked.
"Yes, but I had an eleven," says Drake.
"What's eleven do," I asked.
The phoenix then starts controlling the weather.
"Gives the creature power over the weather," says Drake.
The Phoenix then flies off.
"We have a new problem," says Jack.
. . .
I kept trying to turn to my robot mode, but every time I do, the short circuit keeps happening, so I turn back to my beast mode. What if this is a permanent thing?
"Miko, Roadblock, and I are going to figure out what's wrong with Steel," says Jack.
"How," I asked.
"We're gonna see if Arizona has anything weird in it," says Miko.
"The rest of you guys deal with the phoenix," says Jack.
"I'll get Liger on board," says Arashi.
"And I'll summohn Ra-Vu," says Brightmore.
"And I can use my Maximal powers," says Raf.
"Sorry Raf, but we can't risk whatever's wrong with Steel happening to you too," says Jack.
"Alright."
"Let's go," says Jack.
. . .
The phoenix was creating a massive storm. Ra-Vu and Liger jump off some buildings and try to attack the phoenix, but it is overpowering them. The phoenix then hits them with a lightning bolt.
Jack's POV:
Miko, Roadblock, and I were investigating the area. So far, things seem normal.
"Hey guys," says Roadblock, "I found something weird."
I spoke too soon. We ran over to him and saw what it was. It looked like crystals.
"Is that what I think it is," asks Miko.
"It might be," I said, "Energon."
"You mean like a Cybertronian's blood," asks Roadblock.
"It's probably unstable," I said.
"That's probably what's making Steel's robot mode go nuts," says Miko.
"Let's go," I said.
Steel's POV:
Erika tried to use her energy powers, but that didn't work either. Then Jack, Miko, and Roadblock came.
"Turns out, it's raw energon," says Jack.
"It's messing with your robot mode," says Miko.
"There's energon around here," I asked. Then I had an idea. I flew over to the energon and grabbed it. I figured it'd be shiny enough. I then flew to the phoenix. I remember how the Roc had a weakness for shiny things.
. . .
I flew in front of the phoenix and held up the energon. "Take a look, Bird Brain."
It was working, the phoenix was being lured in by the shiny energon.
Jack's POV:
Steel was luring the phoenix to us.
"Now, Drake," I said.
Drake rolls the dice and gets a twelve. A portal opens and sucks in the phoenix.
"Well done, Steel," says Drake.
Steel's POV:
Now that we were back at the base, it was good to be in my robot mode again. But I am going to add this to the list of reasons I want to be human. Anyway, we were in the obstacle course, and this time, I was trying to avoid using my powers. After all, you can't rely on them all the time, right?
In the next chapter, the team will be meeting the Order of Black.