10- Deus Ex Machina.
May was inside a pokémon stadium, one getting ready for the upcoming pokémon contest that was going to take place at Pewter City. Unfortunately, she wasn't the only one who wanted to sign up for the event.
"Already two hours and this line still looks the same? This takes forever." She groaned.
But then, she noticed a person carrying a canister, full of inscription permits. That made her think on a crazy idea.
"Come out, I need you." She said pulling out one of her poke balls, revealing to be Beautifly's.
"Beautifly."
"Beautifly, listen. I need you to make a distraction. Move to the center of the hall and use Morning Sun until I return."
"Beautifly." The butterfly pokémon nodded.
Beautifly followed May's instructions: it flew to the center of the hall and started to shiny in a way that caught everyone's attention. May took the chance to sneak behind the canister and picked up one of the permits. Next, she acted like she simply wanted to show everyone what her pokémon could do and met with it, allowing Beautifly to land on her head, making the public applaud them.
"Thank you so much. I hope you enjoyed with this, because it's only a simple demonstration about what will come for the pokémon contest. Now, if you excuse us, we need to continue practicing." She said saying goodbye.
Once outside, she sighed in relief that everything went just fine. And right in that moment, she saw Warpath parked on a hideout, to not call to much attention. Perfect for her, so she went with him. Meanwhile, Warpath was listening the radio, switching channels. Just in the moment when May got inside, he was listening a channel of pokémon contest.
"Oh, wait Warpath, I want to listen this one. To know where are going to celebrate possible new contests."
"Wait, what?" He said turning down the radio's volume. "May, what are you doing here so sudden? Weren't you lining up for the contest inscription?"
"Well, I was. Of course, the inscription was taking more than I expected, but fortunately, I managed to take one permit by other way." She said revealing it.
"Beautifly."
"Right, and all thanks to you, Beautifly." May said, petting her pokemon.
"Wait. You're meaning you stole it?" Warpath asked in disbelief.
"No, I simply took it by a faster way." She corrected retrieving Beautifly, but then, she saw something that made her nervous. "Oh oh, here comes Officer Jenny. I hope she didn't see me. Roll out, Warpath!"
"Aw, May."
Despite that, Warpath did what his friend asked for and drove away. Moments later, they were heading to base, while they were having a conversation.
"May, I'm supposed to be your guardian, not your getaway vehicle. You can't just take something you want like that; it's called stealing. What if your parents found out?"
"They live in Petalburg City, Hoenn, remember? Besides, I made a great show, so everyone thinks I was only practicing."
"May, listen: if someone discovers you doing something like this, you may never be allowed to participate in one of those pokémon contest anymore."
"What?" She asked worried. "Do you think so?"
"Well, that's how things are supposed to be, no? After all, I saw it in some movies."
"But movies don't speak the truth always, Warpath." May corrected before exiting Warpath, already at base. "You know, you're starting to sound just like my father."
Warpath returned to robot form. "What? Isn't he a gym leader?"
"He might walk on a different path, but he still watches out for me and Max's."
"Because we want the best for you and that means making sure you stick loyal to your dreams correctly, to not go jail."
"Uh-oh. What'd you do?" Max asked mockingly from the platform.
"Nothing of your business." May immediately replied.
"Some girls thing, that's for sure." Sideswipe said.
"Listen May," Warpath started, kneeling down to her height. "When I was a rookie in the Autobots, even I made some mistakes, thinking what I was doing was for the cause, even if others considered them wrong. Ironhide could tell you about."
"But you have become the toughest Autobot I know because of the path you followed. And I want my pokémon to be as great on pokémon contests as you are on the battlefield."
"I feel moved by what you think about me, but that doesn't' mean you always have to take the easy way every time you find an obstacle or setbacks. You need to return that permit before someone starts to suspect something, May. It's the best."
"I'm detecting a fresh energon pulse. From a place called Michina Town, in the Sinnoh region. An ancient settlement where people still live." Ratchet saw in the terminal.
"Ancient settlement, uh?" Warpath said as an idea came to his head. "Hey May, you wanna come to a field trip?"
"With you, Warpath? Always."
Meanwhile, the Nemesis continued wandering, near to a storm, but there was something new. A few minutes ago, a couple of ships arrived to the ship, carrying new members for the crew. One of them, a red Decepticon with an appearance which resembled a car with some fancy designs and about the same size of Bumblebee, met in the bridge, where Darkscream was waiting for him.
"It's about time, Knock Out. I do not enjoy being kept waiting."
"Aw, it was a long drive, Starscream. I'm still picking…what's how the humans call them again? Bug type pokémon, was it? Anyway, I'm still picking parts of them out of my grille." The new Decepticon, Knock Out, responded, until he was surprised by Darkscream's new appearance. "Wow, what's with the new look, Starscream? Have you been working out?"
Darkscream groaned in irritation. "Many things have happened since the last time we met, Knock Out. And from now on, you will refer to me as Darkscream. Understood?"
"Darkscream, eh? Sounds cool, and that new look suits you fantastic, if I have to say so myself."
"Yes, right. You're one of those."
"Come again?" Knock Out asked confused.
"Never understood why any self-respecting Decepticon would choose automobile as his vehicle mode when he could have flight."
"I like the way I look in steel-belted radials."
Moments later, the two Decepticons were heading at the medical lab.
"I take it lord Megatron requires a laboratory assist?" Knock Out asked.
"You might say that. But now we prefer to speak about him…as Galvatron." Darkscream simply answered as the lab's door opened, revealing a very injured Galvatron hooked to the life support machine.
"Whoa." Knock Out said surprised. "Surely I missed a couple of interesting things."
At the same time, a ground bridge took Warpath near Michina Town, near some ruins.
"Here we are, the Michina Ruins." Warparh announced.
"Dawn told me about this place: it seems they witnessed an incredible battle between some legendary pokémon, and even that she, Ash and Brock traveled through time." May remembered getting out of Warpath and started looking the surroundings. "This is a beautiful place. What are we doing here?"
"I'm scouting energon. You can seize the time to practice for that pokémon contest."
"Really, Warpath? I thought you were mad for what I did and you would forbid me to enter."
Warpath laughed a little. "I'm not your dad, May. But I would appreciate if in exchange of this trip you'll correct your mistake once we get back."
"I will, I promise. So…would it bother you if I accompany you?"
"Nah, fine with me." The Autobot tank answered as they walked to what seemed to be ancient ruins. "Signal's strong. An excavation site."
"Looks like an archeological excavation site for me. They must be studying these ruins in order to learn from the past civilizations." May deduced.
"And according to my scanner, those archaeologists hit energon veins, and they don't know it." Warpath said as he examined the area, until a painting caught his attention. He zoomed his optics to see it better. "Wow, that's cybertronian."
Back to the Nemesis' medical lab…
"Sadly, our inevitably former lord Galvatron has been like this for some time. But the crew took a vote and it was decided that an expert might put him on the road to recovery."
"I've done plenty of body work, Darkscream." Knock Out said as he changed his hand for a drill and change back again. "But I'm better at breaking 'em than fixing 'em. It would help if I had my assistant."
"I summoned both of you. Where is he?"
"We were hopped on a fresh energon trail when you called. Breakdown will show when he's through scouting it." Knock Out explained.
Back to the Michina Ruins…
"Why would the ancient humans of Sinnoh paint an energon harvester?" Warpath asked to himself.
"You know what that round thing is?" May asked as she used her phone to take a picture. "You're smarter than you let on."
"But even dumber than he looks."
Both friends turned back to see who said that. Right in front of them, on a cliff, was a blue robot of Warpath's size with yellow eyes, also looking as a tough guy.
"Breakdown." Warpath recognized.
"And you must be Warpath, the Autobot tank. I must admit I expected to find Bulkhead on this planet, but you could be a great challenge as well."
"Like if you know anything about fighting a tank."
"Warpath, you know this Con?" May asked.
"Wheeljack told us about him. His pal Bulkhead and this guy have a history."
"And you have a pet." Breakdown chuckled as he grabbed a pillar. "Does it play catch?" He ripped the pillar out of the ground and… "Catch!"
Breakdown threw the pillar right at May, but Warpath shielded her with himself.
"May, stay down!" Warpath asked as he was going to face his opponent.
But Breakdown came out from the dust cloud and tackled Warpath into the ruins. While in mid-air Breakdown threw him into the painting, destroying it.
"Oops, hope the pretty picture wasn't too important." Breakdown mocked.
"Beautifly, use Silver Wing!" May shouted after summoning her pokémon.
The butterfly pokémon started attacking the Decepticon, who felt a little the attack's effect since it was aimed for his head.
"Nice try, but it will take more than that to take me down. Fortunately for you, I don't have time for this." Breakdown said before he transformed into a Plasan Sand Cat armored van and drove away.
"Told you I used to cause collateral damage. But at least you managed to make him run."
"You can always count on me to watch your back, Warpath. Besides, we still have a picture of the picture." May revealed showing the picture she took.
Moments later, everyone was seeing the picture back at base.
"It is indeed an energon harvester: a powerful tool created by the ancients to remove raw energon from any source." Optimus explained.
"The ancient people knew Autobots?" Ritchie asked.
"No. The ancients often used the art of a given era to conceal messages."
"This fresco was likely a signpost, indicating a harvester's location. Hidden somewhere on this planet." Elita continued.
"Uh, Optimus, if the harvester removes energon from anything and you all have energon pumping inside you…" Tracey started.
"In Decepticon hands the harvester would be a devastating weapon." Optimus concluded.
"Who would expect it? You did great at destroying that painting." May said to Warpath.
"May is not wrong." Moonracer supported. "How can the Cons find the harvester without the fresco?"
"With high-speed internet." Clemont answered as he searched on his laptop. "If you do an image search for "origins of poke ball technology" this pops up."
Clemont showed an image of the statue of a human holding the harvester like a poke ball.
"Hey, I know that. It's at the Sinnoh historical museum, on Eterna City. I saw it when I visited it the last time with my mom." Dawn revealed.
"Is that the real deal?" Arcee asked to Optimus.
"Contact Ranger Jack." Optimus ordered.
But when they did it…
"You've reached pokémon ranger Jack Walker. I'm currently on an intensive training retreat and unavailable until Tuesday." Is what they heard when they tried to call him.
"I hate talking to machines." Ratchet groaned.
"Without the pokémon rangers' direct aid, we will have to confiscate the harvester on our own." Optimus declared.
"Whoa whoa whoa, confiscate? As in steal museum property?" Ash asked alarmed.
"Isn't that…illegal?" Bonnie asked.
"I do not wish to break human law, but once the Decepticons learn of the harvester's location they will not hesitate to obtain it by any means necessary." Optimus clarified. "We must act covertly."
"No offense, Optimus, but covertly and giant robots don't really go together." Clemont expressed.
"Yeah, museums are public places and have security guards and cameras." Serena numerated.
"You can let that to us. We are small enough to sneak in and we are not a great secret."
"May, I'm not sure that's wise."
"But it may be our best option, Warpath. The longer we debate, the more time we give the Decepticons." Optimus concluded.
And just as they suspected, Soundblaster managed to find the image of the harvester's location and showed it to everyone on his screen.
"Hm-hm, that's definitely it." Breakdown nodded.
"And I'm afraid Galvatron's well-being will have to wait. It's harvest time." Darkscream declared.
At Eterna City, it was already night when the Autobot team drove at the museum in vehicle form. Each Autobot went for a different path around the museum.
"Autobots, confirm position." Optimus requested while he stood in front of the museum's entrance.
"Westward secured." Arcee said as she and Moonracer took positions.
"Eastward's clear." Hot Rod followed as he and Bumblebee stationed.
"I have the roof covered." Sideswipe reported after jumping to the roof.
"Warpath and I have the south side covered." Wheeljack said.
"Maintain your guard." Optimus instructed.
Meanwhile at base, the group was waiting on a of forklift next to the ground bridge.
"Everyone, I will have a clear view of you. Once you secure the harvester, I will contact Ratchet and Elita to bridge you back to base." Optimus said through the com-link.
At the same moment, Elita opened the ground bridge. "Now, since you'll bypass all points of normal entry you won't need to worry about setting off the alarm."
"But take care to avoid any security guards." Ratchet warned.
"Don't worry, we will." Ash nodded.
The portal took them inside the museum, right in a hall where there was the fossil of a Bastiodon, right next of the statue which held the harvester.
"There it is." Max pointed.
"And according with the schematics, the only camera of this room is right above us." Clemont added, pointing at the ceiling.
They saw Optimus outside flashing some lights, signal that it was all clear. Tracey moved the forklift until they were directly next to the security camera. Misty took out her phone, leaned closer to the camera to get a better look at the statue and took a picture of it. Next, she changed the picture to the wallpaper on her phone and put it in front of the camera. With that, in the security room the guard saw nothing out of normal. Once Misty finished, Tracey moved the forklift to the statue. Then, Optimus heard the sound of another vehicle approaching, and saw coming from behind a red Astan Martin DBS V12 car which stopped right next to him, and it looked like it whispered.
"Sweet rims. Twenty-four gage? You're really heavy duty. Just like my friend here." The vehicle said, revealing to be Knock Out.
Next, Breakdown came driving at full speed, and a turret appeared on top of his alt mode which fired a missile at Optimus. He returned back to robot form and grabbed the missile, but it was powerful enough to push him back. He finally stopped it, crashing the glass a little, just when both Ash and Ritchie's Charizard, May's Venusaur and Blaziken and Dawn's Mamoswine were moving the harvester into the forklift. Optimus saw they were fine, but when he saw back at Knock Out, he was already in robot form with an electrified staff at hand and hit him with it at the neck. The shock made Optimus to fall unconscious, but in case he wasn't, Knock Out jumped on his back to stabbed it once again.
"It's Cons." Max saw.
"They got Optimus." Dawn added.
"We better end with this quickly so we can help him the sooner." Ash decided.
Once Knock Out neutralized Optimus he flashed his lights, giving Breakdown a clear for charging against the museum. Fortunately, Bumblebee and Hot Rod appeared heading to intercept him, but Breakdown fired another missile at them. The missile missed them, but the impact force was powerful enough to take them down. Arcee and Moonracer came from the other side, but Breakdown fired a missile at them too. They managed to dodge, but they crashed with Bee and Hot Rod in the process. Sideswipe started fire at him from a hiding spot on the roof.
"Hey, Breakdown!" Wheeljack called, jumping from top of the museum and charging against him. "I promised Bulkhead to give you a worthy fight like he used to, so here I come!"
But before reaching him, Breakdown changed back to robot form and punched him hard, sending him flying against Knock Out. The impact even damaged the building making sound the alarm, which the guard heard and observed that something was blocking the statue with a false picture. The gang's pokémon managed to push the harvester on the forklift.
"Nice work, pals." Ash congratulated as he and the others retrieved their pokémon.
"Now let's get this big orb out of here before things get complicated." Tracey said.
Because Knock Out was no longer over Optimus he saw the Autobot leader recovering. He tried to stun him again, but this time Warpath tackled him and pushed him backwards.
"Come on. Time to make our exit." May called.
May went ahead to find the exit while the rest followed her on the forklift. Once she saw the exit's door, she opened it, but then she was spotted by the guard and his Houndoom right at the exit.
"Ah…hi. What a nice night, right?" She simply said.
"Better come with me, miss." The guard simply said as he took May by the hand and dragged her inside his office.
"Not good." Clemont said hidden, with everyone.
"Look." Serena said pointing at the entrance, seeing a par of cybertronian legs. "Come on, it must be Arcee or Moonracer."
But for their surprise it was not Arcee, it was Soundblaster, who finished opening the door.
"It's Soundblaster." Tracey recognized.
"We'll not let you get the harvester." Ash warned.
"Pika pika." Pikachu supported, ready to fight.
But before they had the chance to attack, Ravage appeared out of nowhere and pushed both Pikachu against the floor. Piplup was about to help them, but another Minicon, one of human size and with female appearance, jumped in front of him first: Crumble.
"Not a chance." The female Minicon warned before she turned her hands into some heavy hammers and hitting the ground with them.
The impact caused by the Minicon not only let Piplup stunned, but also made the group collapse to the ground. Next, once both Minicons returned with him, Soundblaster grabbed the harvester, changed to his vehicle mode and flew away. Optimus saw Soundblaster leaving with the harvester, the same as Knock Out.
"Hum, that would be game." He said before changing to his vehicle form and drive away.
Breakdown did the same and retreated. Arcee tried to chase them, but there was too late.
"Optimus, we have a situation!" Ash called.
"The Cons have the harvester!" Ritchie added.
"And security has my sister!" Max added as he and the rest of the kids went with them.
"What?" Warpath asked in disbelief. "I'm going in after her."
But Optimus stopped him. "Warpath, May may be detained, but she's safe from harm."
Of course, May wasn't exactly enjoining the experience too. The guard even took her poke balls and put them on the desk.
"Look kid, if this is some kind of prank, you need to know that the authorities are on their way. It'd go a whole lot easier for you if you just told me what happened to the sphere." The guard persuaded while the Houndoom simply stared at her.
"I was only researching for my history report, that's all. I just lost track of time and then locked in here after closing." May invented.
"So, what's your history report about? I'd love to know."
So she had no other choice but to invent another story. Meanwhile, the Autobots scattered across different places trying to locate where the Decepticons might been using the harvester: Hot Rod was searching on Kanto, Arcee went to Johto, Sideswipe was sent to the Orange Archipelago, Bumblebee started searching on Hoenn, Wheeljack was sent to Unova, Moonracer traveled to check Kalos and Elita One headed for the Decolore Islands.
"In all likelihood, Darkscream will use the harvester to gather as much energon as quickly as he can. From the planet's otherwise unminable energon deposits. Approach with extreme caution, Darkscream will not hesitate to turn the harvester on any one of us." Optimus instructed to everyone as he was going to his destination. "Warpath, it is best that you remain here."
"So I can bust May out of the museum?"
"So you can help Ratchet." Optimus corrected. "You may be May's guardian, but she requires human assistance. The pokémon rangers remain her best option."
With all said, Optimus left. The others also tried to contact Ranger Jack, but they continued to hear the same message.
"Still no answer." Clemont communicated.
"Jack's lounging around some pool side cabana." Warpath suspected annoyed as he smashed one of Ratchet's tools.
"Warpath, I needed that!" Ratchet yelled, making the children and pokémon laugh. "Arg, great."
"Sorry Ratchet, it's just too funny." Bonnie apologized.
"We can free May if we can just return that harvester to the museum." Warpath suggested.
"So the Decepticons can steal it all over again?" Ratchet pointed.
Warpath didn't think of that, so he was completely out of ideas. "I am so dumb!"
"So how are we going to help May?" Max asked.
"By returning this replica to the museum." Ratchet answered, showing what he was constructing. "The construction of which would be going a whole lot faster if Warpath hadn't just mangled my frame welder!"
"We're already trespassers and thieves. Why not add forgery to the list?" Misty said sarcastically.
"Hmm, I wish I'd never taken May to…" Then Warpath realized something else. "The painting of the harvester isn't the only thing we found at those ruins."
"I'm sorry?" Ratchet asked confused.
"Darkscream is not dumb. No matter what kind of tool he has, he is going to take the easy route."
Warpath's deduction wasn't wrong, the Decepticons returned to the Michina Ruins. A few guards were patrolling while Darkscream, Knock Out and Breakdown were at the same place were Warpath and May found the harvester's painting.
"Why move mountains now when we have a motherlode of energon right here for the taking?" Darkscream said as he was holding the harvester in one hand. "Courtesy of this gift from the ancients."
"Ah, actually, commander Darkscream, it was a gift from Breakdown and myself." Knock Out corrected.
For interrupting him, Darkscream aimed the harvester at them. The device started to glow and fired a blue beam. It missed them, but instead hit one of the Vehicons that were patrolling. The soldier started to agonize as all the energon of his body was drained and flew at the harvester like currents of water while Breakdown and Knock Out watched horrified, but not Darkscream, instead he smirked. In only a few moments, the Vehicon was dead, and his energon was stored inside the harvester.
"All that energon in such a tiny vessel." Darkscream admired amazed.
"Those ancients never missed a trick, lord Darkscream." Knock Out said, trying to look more loyal and be luckier.
Darkscream seemed to aim at them again, making them expecting the worst. But it was only a trick, instead he used the harvester to commence taking the energon of the field. While the two Decepticons observed the process, Warpath was trying to sneak close enough. But stealth wasn't exactly his strong spot, because when he crushed a rock, it made a sound that caught Knock Out and Breakdown's attention.
"Oh scrap."
"Back for seconds?" Breakdown mocked as he changed one of his hands for a hammer and Knock Out pulled out his electrified staff.
Both Decepticons decided to attack him from different sides, Knock Out from the right and Breakdown from the left. Seeing them coming at him, Warpath waited until they were close enough and dodged at the final moment, making Breakdown to hit Knock Out with his hammer at the face and making him lost grip of his staff, which Warpath grabbed and stabbed it on Breakdown, zapping him. But then Darkscream hit him with the energon harvester and started draining his energon, making him fall to the ground.
"You're a big one. This could take a while." Darkscream smirked.
But Warpath was not going to fall so easily. He went back to his feet and started advancing toward Darkscream.
"Wait. What are you doing?" Darkscream asked surprised.
"What I do best." Warpath answered as he grabbed the harvester's point of entry, blocking the energon's fluid. "Blasting things. KABOOM!"
And fired his chest cannon, hitting Darkscream's chest, sending him flying against a rock wall. But because of all the energon lost, Warpath fell back to the ground, with the harvester in hand.
"He's a glutton for punishment." Knock Out said with his staff active ready to keep fighting, as well a Breakdown.
Then, right behind them, a ground bridge portal appeared and Optimus and the other Autobots appeared in vehicle mode. Soon they changed to robot form and started to fire at them.
"Fight?" Breakdown suggested.
"Hmm, drive." Knock Out decided.
Both Decepticons changed to their vehicles forms and left the place. Darkscream tried to counterattack, but seeing how the Autobots were advancing toward him he had no choice but to change to his jet form and fly away. The Autobots gathered around Warpath, who received them with a smile.
"Hey."
Meanwhile, as the sun started to raise on Eterna City, May was still trying to make the guard believe that she was researching. Of course, she managed to make Houndoom fall asleep.
"And according to the principles of Deus Ex Machina, an ancient god which looked like a robot, bestowed the people of the world the means we know today of capturing pokémon."
"That's so, young lady? Well, I'm sure the police will want to hear all about your history report." The guard said, a little bored.
Suddenly someone knocked the door, and it was no one else that Jack Walker.
"Pokémon ranger Jack Walker." He said showing his badge. "No need to worry, officer. The stolen property has been located and restored to museum premises."
Just like he said, the camera showed the same sphere in its rightful place.
"The girl comes with me." Jack said as he pulled May on her feet and gave her a phone. "I think this belongs to one of your friends. He or she dropped this. I found it on the floor, right next to your history report."
The two left the room, leaving the guard and his pokémon still confused. Once outside, May smiled at seeing Warpath in his vehicle form, coming to pick her.
"Off you go." Jack nodded to her.
She ran back with her guardian. "Good timing, Warpath. I was running out of historic factoids; stuff I didn't know I knew."
"Looks like you're smarter than you let on." Warpath said.
"Under pressure."
"Me too."
The two friends started the way back home.
"Hum, Warpath, when you can, can we please stop at Pewter City? I want to return the contest permit and amend my mistake."
"Don't bother about that anymore, May. Ranger Jack told me he took care of everything about your pending business with the pokémon contest. So, I guess you can keep it for the day when the contest arrives."
"Wow. Really?"
"He said we can consider it a favor, for saving him from the Cons."
"Oh, thank Arceus. I promise you this, Warpath, if I win the contest you will be the first one I will mention in gratitude."
"Hum, I'm not sure anyone would understand who are you referring to, May."
