The Army of Ash! Destroy Team Rocket!

Chapter 17: End Game - Part 4

In two massively brilliant bursts of energy, two Mega Evolved Pokemon stood facing each other from opposite sides of the field. On Ash's side stood Mega Lucario, the power of his Aura at the absolute max as he stared up at the massive pure Steel-type on Giovanni's side. Mega Aggron stood about 3 feet taller than Mega Lucario, and the Iron Armor Pokemon looked ready to crush, smash, and destroy anything that stood in its way.

"This has gone on for long enough. . ." Giovanni said.

"You got that right!" Ash said confidently, "Lucario, get in close and use Force Palm!"

"Autotomize!" Giovanni said with a snap of his fingers, and the sound of grinding metal could be heard coming from within Mega Aggron as sparks shot out of its joints and out through the holes in its head.

Mega Lucario dashed in towards the massive Steel-type, his right paw raised and glowing with power as his Aura Sensors streamed out behind him. He jumped towards Mega Aggron with his paw outstretched.

Neither Ash nor Mega Lucario were prepared to see the giant Pokemon swiftly dodge out of the way with speed unnatural for something as big and heavy as a Mega Aggron.

"What!?" Ash shouted in disbelief.

Giovanni smirked and said, "Much like Curse, Autotomize is a move that has been banned by the Pokemon Leagues due to its incredible power. Autotomize allows even the heaviest of Pokemon to become lighter and faster by two degrees, while still retaining the Pokemon's power, as you are about to see. Mega Aggron, use Bulldoze!"

Mega Aggron glowed orange as it stomped the ground hard, blasting out an orange shockwave that struck Mega Lucario as he landed. The attack blasted him in the back and sent him tumbling towards the wall.

"Use Iron Head!" Giovanni ordered.

"Can't dodge. Too fast," Ash thought quickly, and he shouted, "Block with Force Palm!"

Mega Lucario sat up just in time to see Mega Aggron zooming towards him like a murderous train. He brought both his palms forward and unleashed the attack just in time. The explosion of Iron Head meeting a Force Palm caused Mega Aggron to stumble backwards while Mega Lucario was thrown against the wall.

"Use Rock Slide!" Giovanni ordered.

As Mega Aggron created orbs of white energy that turned into massive boulders, Ash called out to Mega Lucario, "Force Palm off the wall, quick!"

While in a sitting position, Mega Lucario slapped his paws against the wall and unleashed his power. He slid across the ground away from the wall, narrowly avoiding the Rock Slide attack as boulders crashed down on the ground where he would have been a fraction of a second ago.

"Aura Sphere!" Ash shouted.

Mega Lucario charged the attack as he slid towards Mega Aggron, and then unleashed it so that the ball of Aura shot up and struck the Steel-type directly under his massive chin.

"Force Palm!" Ash shouted.

As Mega Aggron staggered backwards, Mega Lucario jumped to continue his assault, a glowing right paw outstretched.

"Metal Burst!" Giovanni said with a snap of his fingers.

Pikachu gasped as he saw the ball of white light appear in Mega Aggron's jaws. "(Oh no! Look out!)" Pikachu cried out.

"Don't let up! Attack through it! I believe in you!" Ash shouted to Mega Lucario.

Emboldened by Ash's confidence, Mega Lucario roared out loud as he thrust his paw forward as Mega Aggron fired the Metal Burst attack. The glowing sphere exploded, but Mega Lucario continued onward and struck the Steel-type hard in the face with Force Palm.

Furious at this, Giovanni shouted, "We should be overpowering this Lucario! Do your job! Autotomize, again!"

Metal began to grin from within the massive Pokemon again as sparks started to fly.

"Aura Sphere, Lucario!"

"Metal Burst, again!"

The two attacks were sent out, the two spheres collided, and both exploded.

"Get in there with Force Palm!"

"Dodge, Mega Aggron"

Mega Lucario ran and jumped, and he missed. He turned to see that Mega Aggron had already moved aside.

"Aura Sphere!"

"Dodge again!"

Mega Lucario turned his body in midair, and he charged and fired an Aura Sphere that Mega Aggron dodged effortlessly.

"He's so fast!" Ash shouted in frustration.

"(But he's so big! It's too weird!)" Pikachu cried out in distress.

"Use Iron Head," Giovanni said, a triumphant smirk growing on his face.

Mega Aggron zoomed across the field, catching Mega Lucario dead center and tossing him clear to the opposite side of the field.

"Bulldoze, now!" Giovanni ordered, his smirk getting larger.

As the shockwave was sent out by the Steel-type's stomp, Ash called out, "Run and jump for another Force Palm!"

Mega Lucario got up again and did as Ash said, running a few steps and then jumping to avoid the Bulldoze attack. He leapt towards his opponent, moving swiftly enough to close the distance and land a Force Palm right in the Steel-type's chest. The attack caused the larger Pokemon to roar angrily and wobble backwards a bit, as if the attack was nearly enough to knock him off his feet. This actually surprised Ash and got him thinking for a brief moment.

Undaunted, Giovanni smiled and said, "Metal Burst."

"Aura Sphere!" Ash replied quickly.

Mega Lucario only barely managed to launch his Aura Sphere before the Metal Burst attack reached him due to Mega Aggron's increased speed. Nevertheless, the attack was negated, but Giovanni wasn't through yet.

"Iron Head!"

Mega Lucario had no time to dodge as the Steel-type Mega lunged forward at incredible speed. He shouted in pain as Mega Aggron's head slammed into him and threw him into the ground hard. Now he lay flat on his back with Mega Aggron staring down at him, towering over him imposingly.

Giovanni felt and looked entirely victoriously as he too a glance over at Ash and said, "Any who stand against Team Rocket are crushed eventually. My methods and my tools are superior to yours, kid. Mega Aggron is bigger, stronger, more powerful, and clearly faster than your Lucario. You have no way of winning."

Ash glared over at Giovanni and said, "Don't say you've won before the battle's over, Giovanni. You just don't know what Pokemon battles are really about. If you did, then you'd have realized the big mistake you made in this battle!"

Giovanni smirked and said, "I have made no mistakes."

"Oh really?" Ash said with a smirk of his own, and he called out, "Lucario! Force Palm yourself upwards to grab Aggron's horns!"

Mega Lucario threw himself up into a handstand, then used a double Force Palm to propel himself up at an angle towards Mega Aggron. As he shot upwards and flipped forward, he also grabbed Mega Aggron's horns. Time seemed to slow down as he pulled hard, flipping over the massive Pokemon. Mega Aggron roared as he was pulled backwards by his horns and slammed down hard onto his back.

Giovanni stood in a state of shock as a wave of disbelief overtook him. "What was that!?" he shouted.

"You said it yourself, Giovanni," Ash said with new growing feeling of confidence, "Autotomize may make your Pokemon faster, but it also makes them lighter. Mega Aggron might be able to attack quicker and dodge a little easier, but now he's easier to move and knock over because he's not as heavy anymore!"

"You insolent. . ." Giovanni said, clenching his fist and grinding his teeth, "You come to my organization, a child, and presume yourself to be superior to me?"

"Good is superior to evil!" Ash shot back.

"METAL BURST!" Giovanni shouted.

"Dodge it!"

Mega Lucario quickly threw himself out of the way of the attack, which crashed into the wall with a vengeance.

"GET UP! BULLDOZE!" Giovanni exclaimed and pointed furiously.

"Aura Sphere his foot to knock him off balance!" Ash called out.

Mega Lucario quickly fired off an Aura Sphere, which collided with Mega Aggron's left foot as he lifted his right foot to stomp out a Bulldoze attack. The Aura Sphere shifted the left foot so much that Mega Aggron wound up falling flat on his stomach with a crash.

"Thanks for the help, Giovanni!" Ash said with a smile in his voice.

"IRON HEAD!" Giovanni shouted again, and Mega Aggron composed himself as he prepared to lunge forward on all fours like a lviing battering ram.

"Force Palm up! Aura Sphere from above!" Ash shouted as he began to find a sense of flow.

"(Alright! Go Lucario!)" Pikachu shouted.

Mega Lucario shot up above the charging Steel Type, easily dodiging the attack, and then he threw a massive Aura Sphere down at it. Mega Aggron's armor might have been strong against Physical Attacks, but Special Attacks would resonate right through it and rattle the Steel-type to its core.

"THIS HAS GONE ON FAR ENOUGH! I WILL NOT LOSE TO YOU, ASH KETCHUM!" Giovanni shouted, his face twisted with the purest of rage and hatred of the boy he was battling against, "ROLL OVER AND USE METAL BURST, AGGRON!"

"Finish it with Steel Beam, Lucario!" Ash exclaimed.

As soon as Mega Lucario landed, he turned around and brought his paws together. Meanwhile, Mega Aggron had rolled over and craned his neck as he charged up a Metal Burst attack in his mouth. An orb of bluish-silver energy formed in front of Mega Lucario's paws, created out of his own Steel-type energy, using his own vitality as a fuel source for this powerful attack. Right after the Metal Burst orb was fired, the bluish-silver orb reached critical mass and fired a powerful beam that pierced right through the Metal Burst, blowing it up, and then struck Mega Aggron right in the head.

After the explosion from the Steel Beam's impact, Mega Aggron roared as he began to fall backwards, his right foot lifted up into the air slightly as the massive Pokemon appeared to be slowly losing his balance.

Ash smiled and said, "Alright. . ."

"(YES! WE WIN!)" Pikachu cheered joyfully.

"Bulldoze," Giovanni said with a quick snap of his fingers.

Mega Aggron promptly recovered from his apparent loss of balance and brought his raised right foot down hard. The shockwave of the attack shot out and knocked Mega Lucario, already weakened from the risky Steel Beam attack, onto the field where he rolled a few feet before coming to stop face down on the ground.

Giovanni raised his arms and said jovially, "Ha! That was a truly intense fight!" He then waved a finger at Ash and said "But mark my words. Not being able to measure your own strength shows that you are still but a child."

Giovanni then waved a hand at the prone Mega Lucario and said, "Close in and finish him with Iron Head."

Mega Aggron actually let out a chuckle as he swiftly stomped his way over to Mega Lucario. His entire head and horns were glowing with Steel-type energy as he ran over to his fallen foe. Right when he reached the Aura Pokemon, Mega Aggron threw his head back and laughed as he prepared to bring it down hard onto Mega Lucario and smash him deep into the ground.

"REVERSAL!" Ash shouted as loud as he could.

A wave of orange energy burst out of the ground around Mega Lucario as his entire body glowed with golden aura. One of his fists became covered in orange energy. He then flipped up and over and launched himself straight up, his glowing fist colliding against Mega Aggron's chin with such incredible force that it created an incredible explosion of Aura that flooded the entire chamber with light.


Ash was standing in a void, although it was really only a void in visible appearance. This realm Ash was now standing in was not entirely empty. It wasn't even completely devoid of color. It had a glowing, bluish tint to it, whatever it was. It also had a sensation running through it, a constant wave of invisible energy that both warmed and cooled Ash's being at the same time. It felt pleasant in a way Ash could not describe. Something in between a hug and a confidence boost. All Ash knew for sure was that it extended infinitely in every direction.

"Ash!"

Ash turned around to see Lucario running towards him, no longer Mega Evolved but looking no worse for wear.

"Lucario!" Ash called out in relief as the Aura Pokemon came to a sudden stop a few feet away from him.

Lucario smiled at his Trainer and said, "Ash! Ash. I'm so glad you're here."

Ash looked around in confusion and said, "But. . where is here?"

Lucario became thoughtful for a moment, then he said, "The best way I can explain it is. . . that it's a place where we can communicate through out Auras."

"So. . .we're inside our minds?" Ash asked, sounding unsure.

"Almost. . ." Lucario corrected, "It's more like. . . a direct link between our minds through Aura. . ."

"Woah. . ." Ash said in amazement, then his eyes widened and he said, "Wait! The battle!"

Lucario held up his right paw and said, "Don't worry, Ash. Time moves differently here. We won't miss anything."

Ash calmed down slightly and said, "Okay then. But, why are we here?"

"Because at that moment, with us fighting with everything we had while our Aura were burning brightly, made stronger by the power of Mega Evolution, we achieved a powerful bond. . . one that made me realize something, Ash." Lucario's eyes became serious, then slightly sad, and he continued,"Something I needed to tell you. Right now."

Ash blinked his eyes, then he nodded slowly and said, "Well. . .it must be really important. . .So, what is it?"

Lucario looked Ash in the eye, the utmost certainty in the Aura Pokemon's gaze. "I've been having dreams. . .visions. . .flashes of recollections. . .I did not know what they were at first, but now it's finally all beginning to fit together. They're memories. Memories of a past life. . .before you hatched my egg."

Ash stared at Lucario with a look of utter confusion. "But. . .that doesn't make sense. How can you have memories before you were even born?"

Lucario stood up tall before Ash, and with a solemn nod, he said with utmost seriousness, "Because, Ash. . . I am the reincarnation of Sir Aaron's Lucario."

Ash could only stand there and stare at Lucario. Ash was frozen solid, unable to form words as painful memories resurface and ran through his entire body.

Lucario stared at the boy, a sad look in his crimson eyes as regret swelled within his own soul.

Finally, Ash was able to form a single word, "How?"

Lucario sighed and dutifully began his explanation, "After I. . . died. . .and was reunited with Sir Aaron, both he and The Creator felt that it was simply. . .unfair that things had ended they way they did for me. When Sir Aaron put me in the Staff, he intended for me to be let out after the war was over so I could live a life of peace in the Kingdom of Rota, and possibly later train a successor to carry on the Aura Guardian legacy. But as great as he was, he wasn't perfect. He hadn't thought things through. He left no way of letting anyone else in the kingdom know that I was in the staff or even still alive. So I spent centuries sleeping within the staff, and when you finally let me out. . .well. . . you know the rest."

Lucario lowered his head slightly as he continued, "Sir Aaron deeply regretted his mistake. All he wanted was for me to experience the world, to pass on his Aura training, and to live a life of peace and happiness. He had always loved me unconditionally. He would gladly lay his life down for mine, as I would for his. Living a new life in his name was already an honor for me, but there was something else that made me want to live again. . .You."

Lucario looked back up at Ash with moist eyes as he successfully held back his tears. "Ash, when I thought Sir Aaron had abandoned me and betrayed the Kingdom of Rota, I became bitter and jealous of you and Pikachu. Sir Aaron and I had what you and Pikachu had, and when I thought it was all a lie, I hated you for it. I acted so horribly towards you, and you had done nothing wrong. Then I watched you sacrifice yourself to the Tree of Beginning for your Pokemon. Then you were revived, and you helped me find out the truth of Sir Aaron heroic sacrifice. Then you went on to risk your life again to save Mew and the Tree."

Lucario hung his head in shame and said, "And how did I repay you? I forced you to watch me die. I never even apologized for my actions towards you. I had to come back, if only to make up for all the pain I put you through. It was all planned out perfectly. My new egg would be laid in a place where you could easily come across it, and it would only hatch in response to your unique Aura. My memories and abilities would be locked away until the right moment, at which point I'd remember everything and regain my own Telepathic powers."

Lucario looked back up at Ash, this time his furry cheeks were moist with tears he could not hold back. "Ash. . .I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for putting you through all that. . . for doubting the goodness in your heart. . .Can you ever forgive me?"

Ash just stood and gaped at Lucario as his brain had a five second lag time in taking in all the information that was being given to him. Ash's mouth moved soundlessly as his breathing got heavy. Ash then suddenly shut his eyes tight and felt to the ground as he began to sob and cry out, "No! No! It was my fault! I'm sorry, Lucario!"

"Ash!?" Lucario cried out in shock.

"It was my fault!" Ash cried out as he knelt down with both fists clenched, "If my Aura was stronger. . . If I knew how to use it better. . .we could've saved the Tree together! You wouldn't have had to die if I knew what I was doing! If I wasn't so-."

Lucario suddenly dashed forward and wrapped his arms around Ash's shoulders. "No, Ash," Lucario said calmly and firmly, "Nothing was your fault. Nothing! Everything just went so wrong in ways no one could have predicted. We were both thrown into an unfair situation where we were forced to do something difficult. Choice was taken away from us in that moment. I swore an oath to protect the Kingdom of Rota. My sacrifice was just the ultimate expression of that oath and the duty I had pledged myself to. You were a young man with a pure heart who didn't hesitate to perform a selfless act. But you had a future of your own, and a destiny beyond that place. Pikachu told me of all your adventures and heroic deeds. You couldn't have done all those things if I had let you cripple or kill yourself by exhausting your Aura. I simply could not let you die there. My duty, your destiny. Perhaps it was unfair, but it was NOT your fault, Ash. It never was."

Ash's body shook as he tried to hold in his sobs, and then he reached out with his arms to hug Lucario back. Lucario closed his eyes and rested his forehead against Ash's forehead as he let his own tears run down his face as well. The two had to hug each other while leaning forward due to Lucario's chest spike, but it was an emotional and loving hug nonetheless. In that moment, Ash's youth was plain to see. Lucario's death had affected him more than even Ash himself could fully realize. The unfairness, the misfortune, the senselessness, the lack of any actual villains. The idea that someone like Lucario could die. . .just because. . . it caused wounded something inside of Ash's soul.

Thankfully, the wound was finally being healed.

Eventually, Ash's sobs stopped, and the pair lifted their heads up to look at each other eye to eye.

"Do you forgive me, Ash?" Lucario asked hopefully.

Ash nodded and said with a smile, "Of course I do! You were lost and confused and hurt. I don't blame you for being upset and angry. . ." Ash then made an embarrassed face and said, "I probably shouldn't have tried to tackle you back then. . ."

Lucario smirked and said, "You know I could've blasted you off like Team Rocket with one attack if I'd felt like it, don't you?"

Ash smiled sheepishly and said, "Yeah. . .I'm kinda surprised you didn't, seeing as how upset you were back then. So. . .thanks for not doing that, by the way."

Lucario gave a nod and said, "You're welcome. Be that as it may. . ."

Ash cried out as Lucario suddenly lunged forward and tackled Ash to the ground, pinning him down with his feet on his ankles and his paws on his shoulders.

"Hey! Lucario!" Ash shouted out in confusion.

Lucario grinned down at his Trainer and lowered his head so that their noses were touching. "Now we're even."

Ash blinked, then he grinned, and then he started laughing. Lucario joined in, and the two simply remained there, laughing without a care in the world in that single moment in this realm that was a physical manifestation of the bond between them.

Lucario rolled off of Ash and sat down next to him. Ash sat up as well and turned to Lucario. They smiled at each other for a moment, then Ash's smile fell as he sighed and said, "Lucario. . .when I watched you. . . when I saw. . . I just. . .felt like I had failed. . . I'd seen Pokemon die before, but they were always either brought back to life like Celebi, or they died because of something I couldn't do anything about, like Latios. But with you. . . I was a part of it. . . I held your paw as you died. I can't even say how much that hurt. I wouldn't feel anything that bad again until Pikachu got turned to stone by Ylvetal. I don't want to go through that again and. . . well. . ."

Ash looked at Lucario pleadingly and said, "Please. . . promise me you won't do that again. That you won't sacrifice your life like that ever again. Not even for me."

Lucario looked at Ash, long and hard. Then his gaze softened and said, "I can promise not to give my life up too easily. I can promise to never leave you for anything else. I'd appreciate it if you made those same promises to me as well, Ash. But. . . the bond we share between us means that I will always gladly lay down my life for you, Ash Ketchum. I don't think I could handle you dying again either, Ash."

Ash took in these words in silence, then he smiled and nodded before saying, "Okay. . .Those two promises are enough. But I think you know by now that I'd give up my life for any of my Pokemon, and that includes you, so. . ."

Lucario mirrored Ash's smile and said jokingly, "I guess that means we'll both just have to live forever. . ."

Lucario and Ash shared a laugh at this, then Ash remarked, "You know, Lucario. . .you did kinda remind me of. . .well. . .the you in your first life. You're really serious and stuff. You kinda got a temper when it comes to anyone who doesn't act or think the way you think they should, like Goh's Cinderace."

Lucario rolled his eyes and huffed, "That bunny. . . Arceus knows what goes on in his head. I'd simply crush him and be done with it if it weren't for the fact that he means well. But. . . maybe he's just a way for me to hone my patience and concentration skills."

"And he's your friend," Ash added.

Lucario smiled, "Yes. Yes he is."

The pair sat in silence together for a moment, then Ash said, "We should probably get back to the battle, right?"

Lucario nodded and said, "Yes. We've said all that needs to be said at the moment. We can always continue this later. We have our whole lives ahead of us, don't we?"

Ash had a wide, joyful grin at this, and he said, "Yeah. . We sure do. . ."

Lucario dutifully got up on his feet.

"Wait. . ."

Lucario turned to look down at his Trainer.

"You. . .you know that I really love every single one of my Pokemon," Ash said, then he gave the Aura Pokemon a smile and said, ". . . So I just want to say that. . . I love you, Lucario."

Lucario smiled and reached down to pull Ash up to his feet as well.

"I love you too, Ash."


The light began to fade, but before it fully could, another source of light erupted. It was the light of Mega Evolution power being dispersed. When both of these lights faded, Giovanni's Aggron, no longer Mega Evolved, lay on the field unconscious with Ash's Mega Lucario standing victoriously on top of its chest.

The chamber was completely silent. Silent enough to hear a Pretty Wing drop.

Pikachu stood with his mouth hanging open, thoroughly amazed by what he just saw. "(Lu. . .cario. . .)" he said softly at first, then a big smile appeared on the mouse's face and he jumped for joy shouting, "(LUCARIO DID IT! HE WON IT! LUCARIO WINS!)"

As Mega Lucario continued to stand victoriously on the defeated Aggron's chest, Ash stared on with his own wide eyed amazement.

"Is it all over?" Ash thought to himself, "Did Lucario and I. . .did we really win it. . . . ?"

Giovanni stood, utterly stunned by what he was seeing. He shakily took out Aggron's Pokeball and recalled it back into it, spurring Mega Lucario to hop off it and make his way back to Ash. Giovanni put the Pokeball back into his pocket and stared over at his opponent.

"How is this possible...?" Giovanni finally said, "Everything I've done. . . everything my mother did. . . has all been a waste...? How can a kid like you manage to destroy my dream like this?" Giovanni hung his head low as if in mourning and said, "The precious dream of Team Rocket has become little more than an illusion. . . I can't face my followers after being defeated like this. Team Rocket is. . ."

Giovanni took a deep breath, then raised his head and looked straight at Ash, "As of today, Team Rocket is finished!"

Ash stared blankly at Giovanni at first, unable to fully register what he was hearing. Then, the full meaning of those words finally came through, and a relieved smile overtook Ash's face.

"We did it," Ash said, the victorious feeling inside of him roaring to life, and then he shouted, "Alright! We defeated Team Rocket!"

Mega Lucario and Pikachu both ran up beside Ash and jumped for joy as they cheered alongside him.

Ash turned to his two Pokemon and said, "I couldn't have done this without you. All of you! Everyone Pokemon that trusted me enough to let them train them and be their friend! And Goh too! I never would have gotten this far without Goh and his Pokemon! Oh wow, this is amazing!"

Pikachu nodded and said, "(That's right, Ash! This sure does prove how special you are! How we were all meant to be together forever! And we will be together forever! Always!)"

With a flash of energy, Mega Lucario turned back into his normal form and gasped for breath. "Well. . . I'm sure we all could use a good rest after all of that!"

Ash handed Lucario two Sitrus berries and said, "That's right. We all deserve a rest. Only a few things left to do though." Ash then turned to Giovanni and said, "Alright. We're taking you right to Officer Jenny, Giovanni. It's time for you to pay for all the bad stuff you've done."

Giovanni frowned at Ash and said, "That was not part of the agreement."

". . .Huh?" Ash remarked.

"The terms were that if you won, Team Rocket would be disbanded, and you can have whatever you can recover from this place. I never said I would allow myself to be captured," Giovanni said flatly, then a very odd smile graced his lips as he continued, "And as for what you'll even be able to recover. . ."

Giovanni cleared his throat and said, "I am Giovanni. Initiate Arian 5 Protocol. Repeat. I am Giovanni. Initiate Arian 5 Protocol."

A computerized voice then responded, "Arian 5 Protocol Initiated. This facility will self-destruct in 10 minutes."

"WHAT!?" Ash shouted as sirens began to blare throughout the entire complex.

"There is a massive stockpile of weapons and fuel stored beneath this facility. More than enough to utterly obliterate Team Rocket HQ," Giovanni said matter of factly, with a rather casual tone yet, "A world that Team Rocket cannot rule is not a world worth living in to me."

"But. . .you can't. . ." Ash stammered out, unable to believe the dramatic turn things had taken so quickly.

"Do you intend to drag me out of here bodily?" Giovanni asked in amusement, "All but two of your Pokemon are unconscious. Your Lucario needs rest. Any attempt to bring me with you will only slow you down. Less than 10 minutes remain. Try to save me, and you will only succeed in dying along with Team Rocket."

Lucario turned to Ash and said, "Remember the promises we've made. We cannot risk our lives for this-."

"What about your Pokemon?!" Ash shouted at Giovanni.

Giovanni shrugged and said, "My tools have failed me. Better they are destroyed along with the rest of Team Rocket."

This touched a nerve within Ash, and he shouted, "Lucario! Get Giovanni's Pokeballs!"

Although still weak from the fight, Lucario had enough strength to run over Giovanni, grab him by the collar with one paw, and snatch all six of his Pokeballs with the other paw. Lucario unceremoniously dropped the man and back to Ash.

Ash shoved the six Pokeballs into his pockets and said, "Thanks, Lucario. Guess we've got no time to lose. Return!"

Ash recalled Lucario into his Pokeball, let Pikachu jump onto his shoulder, and said, "Let's get out of here!"

As Ash turned and ran to the exit, the computerized voice announced, "WARNING! THIS FACILITY WILL SELF-DESTRUCT IN 9 MINUTES!"