Episode 32: Myth-ion: Impossible Part 1

Brock is bending over, observing Dashilisk's leg. He removes a splint from it and says, "Alright Dashilisk, your leg looks all healed up. It should be fine to walk on now." Dashilisk leaps up happily and begins to dance. Brock laughs. "Or dance on, that works too." Brock stands up and says to Ash and Brenda, "Alright, the checkup's over. We can get back to the road now." Ash recalls Dashilisk and they begin to walk off. In the distance, a mountain range can be seen.

Our heroes have finally made it to the base of the Starstreak Mountain Range, where they plan to meet up with an old friend, and maybe find a legend in the process.

After walking a little more, they see two people up ahead. It's Professor Pine and Professor Oak. Ash calls out excitedly, "Hey, Professor Oak!"

The Professors turn to see them approaching. Oak calls back, "Ash my boy, so nice to see you!"

Ash and Pikachu run the rest of the way. Ash pulls out his badge case and shows it to Oak excitedly. "Look Professor, these are my two Tenno Gym Badges!"

"They're great my boy. I can see you're making quite the progress here in Tenno. Aren't you glad you ran that errand for me?"

Ash nods. "I sure am."

Brock and Brenda catch up. Brenda says happily, "Hi Professor Pine, how are you?"

Pine smiles. "I'm great. How's your journey going?"

"Great, I won my first ribbon a while back!" She eagerly shows it to him.

Oak turns to Brock and greets, "And if it isn't Brock. It's been far too long."

Brock nods. "It's a pleasure to see you again Professor."

Brenda leans over and asks Brock in a whisper, "Who's the old guy?"

Oak cringes and exclaims, "Old!?"

Brock asks with surprise, "You've never heard of the Professor Oak?" Brenda shakes her head. "He's one of, if not the, most forefront Pokémon researchers in the world."

Pine nods in agreement. "Yes, the Professor and I actually go way back. We were colleagues back in college. He was the only person in my class who could outperform me."

Oak says modestly, "Oh Pine, you know that when it comes to topics relating to outer space, I can't hold a candle to you." In a change of topic, Oak turns to Ash and says, "By the way, there's someone here who'd like to see you." He shouts towards the trees, "Hey, Ash is here!"

A familiar voice calls out from the trees, "Sorry, I'll be right there! I saw a Protostar and just had to sketch it!" A figure emerges from the trees.

Ash exclaims, "It's Tracey!"

Surely enough, the figure emerging from the trees is Tracey Sketchit. He waves happily, "Hi Ash, Hi Brock."

Ash asks, "What are you doing here Tracey?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm Professor Oak's assistant after all. I'm here to assist him." After a moment he then adds, "Not to mention that I want a chance to sketch a picture of that Legendary Pokémon that's said to live here."

Ash turns to Brenda and explains, "This is Tracey Sketchit, he's a Pokémon Watcher. Pikachu and I met him back when we were traveling in the Orange Islands in Kanto. He's great at drawing pictures of Pokémon, and he's working as Professor Oak's lab assistant."

Brenda extends a hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Brenda. I've been traveling with Ash through the Tenno Region."

Tracey shakes her hand. "It's nice to meet you too Brenda."

Oak watches and then says, "I think this event demands a poem." He takes deep breath and recites, "Friends, old and new, come together in a grand view."

Brenda looks at him with awe and asks, "Wow, did you just come up with that on the spot?"

Brock explains, "As well as being a Pokémon expert, Professor Oak is also a renowned Pokémon poet."

Ash then turns to Oak and says, "Now, how about that Legendary Pokémon?"

Oak smiles. "Remember Ash, I said that we might see that Pokémon, there's not actually any proof of its existence."

Pine interrupts, "Sorry, but that's not entirely true. Throughout history there have been many reports of mysterious sightings in this area. On top of that, modern scientists are beginning to realize that many of the legends relating to the Cosmic Architect may actually be true."

Oak laughs. "And by 'modern scientists,' you mean yourself, right?"

Pine grins. "Isn't that the only opinion you need?"

Ash then exclaims, "I don't care, I want to see it anyways!"

Oak laughs. "That enthusiasm is why I love you! Let's get moving."

The group has hiked up into the mountains. Tracey and Brock are talking. Tracey is saying, "So the Professor told me that you decided to become a Pokémon doctor. How's that going for you?"

Brock smiles. "It's great. I've always felt the need to help and protect Pokémon, and now I can better than ever."

Tracey nods. "That must be great."

Ash asks, "How about you Tracey? You must be learning a lot about Pokémon as Professor Oak's assistant."

Tracey grins. "You bet I am. It's the opportunity of a lifetime. I get hands on experience with Pokémon, not to mention that trainers from all around the world send Professor Oak their Pokémon, and I get to see, and sketch, them all."

Ash laughs. "Speaking of all the Pokémon at the lab, how are all mine doing?"

"They're great Ash. Bulbasaur is continuing its job as Pokémon peacekeeper perfectly. We've barely seen a single dispute between the Grass and Water Pokémon since you left. Everyone else is doing wonderfully."

Ash smiles. "That's great to hear."

Brock looks to the Professors and says, "If I may ask, where are we heading right now?"

Professor Oak answers, "There's a system of caves in these mountains. Professor Pine and I were planning to study the types of Pokémon that live in those caves."

Professor Pine adds, "The easiest entrance point to those caves is just up ahead, once we get a little higher up. Actually, it won't be too much further now."

Ash asks, "Are those caves where the Legendary Pokémon lives?"

Professor Oak begins to explain, "The alleged sightings take place all over the mountain range, there's nothing to suggest that it would live-"

Professor Pine cuts in, "If an undiscovered Pokémon wanted to stay out of sight while living in these mountains, it would make sense for it dwell in the caves."

Professor Oak turns to him and argues, "Yes, but that's all conjecture!"

Pine counters, "It's a summation based on the available facts!"

The two continue to debate. They have no malice or anger in their voices, this is a purely academic debate. Oak proclaims, "Of which there are practically none!"

"Ah, but you say practically! That means that you admit that there are some facts!"

"Yes, some, but not nearly enough to say that this Pokémon of myth actually exists!"

Brenda, trying to break up the argument, asks, "Professor Pine, I've been wondering, why are these mountains called the Starstreak Mountains?"

Pine, instantly breaking out of the debate, answers, "Once again, the answer lies with the Legendary Pokémon. They say that when it first came to Earth, it fell from the sky over these very mountains in a brilliant trail of light. It looked like the brightest star was falling from the sky into these mountains. Ever since then these mountains have been known for that very event."

Oak jokes, "If you can call a story an event."

Tracey, who has pulled ahead of the group, calls back, "Hey, be quiet, there's some people at the cave entrance!"

Both professors stop debating and look forward. They both ask at once, "Who?"

Everyone catches up with Tracey and looks down a hill towards a craggy inlet in the mountain. There seems to be an operation of some kind underway, with a large group of people moving about, and transporting equipment. The people are Team Planetary Grunts.

Pine says with disgust, "It's Team Planetary."

Brenda complains, "Not them again."

Tracey asks, "Wait, I thought Team Planetary was an organization that leads the Tenno Region in technological advancements. What's wrong with them?"

Ash explains, "That's only on the surface. They pretend to be a legitimate business, but they're actually crooks who steal whatever people won't give them."

Pine adds, "They stole one of my Pokémon reserved for new trainers."

Brock adds, "And they stole Crate the Horizoport Gym Leader's Meteoric Shards."

Tracey exclaims, "That's awful!"

Oak asks, "Then what are they doing here?"

Ash says, "No good, that's for sure."

They look around. While most of the people are grunts, there are two people who stand out. One is Cosmo, and the other wears the uniform of a Team Planetary Commander. He is a large muscular man, with military-cut brown hair. Ash suddenly steps forward and says angrily, "Cosmo's with them!" He begins to move forward.

Brock grabs him by his shoulder. "No, Ash, we can't let them know we're here. Let's stay up here and figure out what's going on."

Ash sighs. "Yeah, you're right."

On the opposite side of the rocky inlet, Team Rocket watches Team Planetary as well. Jessie states with anger, "Those copycats are back."

James demands, "How dare they show their faces again?"

Meowth declares, "We'll just have to show them what the power of originality can do."

Jessie asks, "What do you suggest that we do?"

Meowth responds, "We do some recon here, figure out what their plan is, and then we ruin it.

James nods. "I like that plan."

Down at the bottom of the inlet, Cosmo and the Planetary Commander are talking. Cosmo asks, "How does finding this Legendary Pokémon help advance our plans?"

The Commander laughs loudly, roughly, and hardily. He pats Cosmo on the back, but with such force that it causes Cosmo to stumble forward. He says in an equally loud, rough, and hardy voice, "Kid, you should know better than that! This Pokémon is a Cosmic Guardian, servant of the Cosmic Architect. We capture it, and we're that much closer to being able to use the power of the Cosmic Architect to help the people of Tenno. Not to mention, this Pokémon supposedly protects one of the Grand Meteoric Shards. Imagine what we could do if we got our hands on that kind of power."

Cosmo nods. "I suppose so. Just tell me Commander Orion, why must we be so secretive of this? If what we are doing really is for the betterment of the Tenno Region, why must it be kept a secret?"

The man, apparently named Orion, laughs again. "You ask too many questions for your own good kid. If others were to learn that Team Planetary was hunting for a Legendary Pokémon, others would come here looking for it as well. We can't have that now."

Cosmo nods again. "Right, and it is vital that Team Planetary be the only ones with access to such a power, because others may abuse it."

Orion laughs. "Bingo, we have a winner! Remember that, and you'll go far kid." He then turns towards all the grunts and declares, "Alright grunts, we're just about ready to move out! Once we get in there, our number one priority will be to find that Legendary Pokémon!"

All the grunts stand at attention and salute. They then turn to begin transferring their machinery into the cave.

From up above, Ash says, "So they're going after the Legendary Pokémon."

Oak comments, "Strange, you would think an organization as large and prestigious as Team Planetary wouldn't put so much faith in myths and legends."

Pine shakes his head. "No, it makes sense. We already know that they're collecting Meteoric Shards, it's not much of a stretch to go after a Cosmic Guardian. It is said that the Cosmic Guardians were constructed by the Cosmic Architect out of the materials leftover from the creation of the solar system, the same material that the Meteoric Shards are made out of."

The last of the grunts enter the cave. Ash says, "Come on, we've got to follow them!" He rushes down, everyone else follows. They run into the cave entrance.

In their hiding spot, Team Rocket is discussing their options. Jessie says, "So those copycats are going after a Legendary Pokémon."

James nods. "I like the sound of that. If there really is a Legendary Pokémon in there, then it has Team Rocket written all over it."

Meowth agrees, "We snatch that Legendary Pokémon, and then not only will we rob those copycats of what they want, but the originals will get a major payday from The Boss!"

The three cheer, and then run into the cave themselves.

Who's that Pokémon!?

This very friendly Dragon-Type Pokémon will hug its beloved Trainer, leaving that Trainer covered in sticky slime.

Ash and friends now wander through the caverns. Brenda observes, "I think we lost track of them. How are we going to find them now?"

Tracey's face lights up. He exclaims, "Hey, I've got an idea!" He tosses a Pokéball. "Go, Azumarill!"

Brenda pulls out her Pokédex. "Azumarill, the Aqua Rabbit Pokémon and a Water and Fairy Combo-Type. This Pokémon uses its large ears in order to sense the smallest of vibrations, allowing it to be an expert tracker. Evolves from Marill at level 18."

Ash marvels, "Wow Tracey, your Marill Evolved into an Azumarill!"

Tracey nods. "It sure did. Since it Evolved its ears have been stronger than ever."

Professor Pine realizes, "And you can use its ability to hear in order to locate Team Planetary!" He looks to Professor Oak and compliments, "You have a very clever assistant Samuel."

Oak smiles with pride. "He's one of a kind."

Tracey looks to Azumarill and says, "Alright Azumarill, I want you to listen for the sound of the footsteps of a large group of people."

Azumarill nods. "Azu!" It looks around and its ears twitch. It concentrates. A few moments later it exclaims, "Azumarill!" It points towards the right.

Tracey says, "Great! Thanks Azumarill!" They run off with Azumarill leading the way.

Just behind them is Team Rocket. Jessie says, "It looks like the Artsy Twerp knows exactly where to go."

James declares, "We follow them, we find those phonies."

Meowth nods in agreement. "Sounds like a plan to me." They run off as well.

It's Goodra!

Team Planetary has set up a center of operations in a large chamber in the cave. A grunt is reporting to Orion. She says, "Sir, according to our energy detectors, the Grand Meteoric Shard is hidden somewhere near this chamber."

Orion nods. He exclaims in his somewhat obnoxious voice, "That's great news!" He turns to Cosmo and shouts, "Hey kid, you hear that!? We're on the verge of finding our first Grand Meteoric Shard!"

Cosmo is leaning back against some equipment. He grumbles with some resentment, "I thought I was supposed to be in charge of this mission."

Orion laughs. "Ha! Don't be silly kid! You may be the future leader of Team Planetary, but for now I still outrank you. It would be best if you remember that. The boss sent you here to learn more about leadership, and if I might add, he paired you up with the best teacher!" He laughs.

Cosmo rolls his eyes. "Of course."

Orion turns to the grunt that reported to him, and commands, "Now the next step is to set up the device. Get it ready right away."

The grunt salutes. "Yes Commander." She turns around and leaves.

Behind a nearby outcropping of rocks, Ash and friends are spying on them. Ash whispers, "Did you hear that? We don't have any time left to spare. We have to stop them now."

Suddenly from behind them, Jessie's voice says, "We're with you Twerp. What's the plan?"

Everyone turns around with surprise and says in shock, "Team Rocket!?"

Jessie nods. "That's right, so prepare for trouble!"

James adds, "We're not here to fight, so make it double!"

"To protect the hopeless Twerps from fakes!"

"To unite with our enemies, or whatever it takes!"

"To denounce our rivalry, at least for now!"

"To extend our reach, and make you say wow!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

"Team Rocket says the enemy of our enemy is our friend!"

"Don't surrender now, your hands you should lend!"

"Meowth, at least until the end!"

"Wobbuffet!"

"Mime mime!"

Ash asserts, "Get out of here Team Rocket, we don't have time for you!"

Meowth asks, "Didn't you listen to The Motto? We're here to help you."

Tracey asks, "Are you sure these are the same three from before?"

Ash nods. "They are."

Brock asks, "Why should we trust you?"

Jessie explains, "Because we have a beef to pick with those copycats Team Planetary. They think that they can steal our thing, so we have to stop them by any means necessary."

James adds, "And that includes calling a truce with you Twerps."

Professor Oak says, "I don't think we should trust them."

Jessie declares, "Face it gramps, you're vastly outnumbered, you need our help to stop them."

James nods. "You have no hope without us."

Ash and Pikachu look to each other and nod in understanding. Ash steps forward and says, "I think we should trust them."

Everyone looks at him in surprise. Brenda asks, "Why should we trust them? What if this is another trick to take Pikachu, or one of our other Pokémon?"

"Because it would be too hard for them to keep their plan going smoothly with Team Planetary here as well. It's too many variables."

James shouts, "Exactly, we're not that smart!"

Jessie and Meowth give him glaring looks of disapproval.

Brock nods. "I agree. We could really use their help."

Brenda nods too. "Alright, fine." Team Rocket cheers.

Oak says, "Alright, then all we need to do now is come up with a plan of attack. As of right now we have the element of surprise."

Tracey is looking out towards Team Planetary. He says, "Umm…maybe not for long." He points out over the rock outcropping. Everyone peeks over. Team Rocket has made their way out into the open.

Jessie declares, "Prepare for trouble!"

James shouts, "Make it double!"

At this point, all of Team Planetary is looking towards them. Team Rocket continues their motto.

Brock complains, "Great, they've ruined our surprise!"

Pine shrugs, "I guess that's what we get for working with the likes of them."

Brenda sighs. "I guess there's nothing to do now but join them out there."

Ash gets up. "Finally, I'll get my rematch with Cosmo. Let's do this!"

Everyone leaps out from their hiding spot as Meowth is declaring, "Meowth that's right!"

Cosmo sighs. "Great, not only is it these clowns again," he looks towards Ash, "but it's them too."

Orion asks, "These are the kids who tried to stop you from appropriating both your first Pokémon and the Meteoric Shards?"

Cosmo nods. "The very same."

Ash shouts, "Cosmo, I'm taking back everything you've stolen! And we're going to stop you from taking anything else!"

Cosmo shouts in anger, "Why don't you understand!? Everything I do is for the greater good of the Tenno Region! I'm not the crook you think I am!"

Ash shouts back, "If that was really the case you wouldn't steal whatever you want! You're nothing but a bully, using your position in Team Planetary to take whatever people won't give to you!"

Orion steps forward and declares, "Enough of this. You will get out of our way, for we are Team Planetary!" He throws a Pokéball. "Show them Meteormight!" The Pokémon he sends out is made of a silvery-black rock, with singe marks coating its body. It has large muscular arms and legs, and its body is mainly composed of its head, except for a small torso region below its face.

Ash takes out his Pokédex, saying, "Hey, that looks like Meteorfight."

"Meteormight, the Space Warrior Pokémon and a Rock and Fighting Combo-Type. Meteormight's fists can hit with the force of a meteorite hitting the Earth's surface. It can retract its limbs in order to hurl itself at an opponent with an even greater force. Evolves from Meteorfight at level 34."

All of the grunts throw Pokéballs, releasing various Protostar, Lunatone, and Solrock. Cosmo then throws his Pokéball, sending out his Buffern.

Ash shouts, "I'll take Cosmo!" He throws a Pokéball. "Turcell, I chose you!" Once it's out, Ash says to it, "Turcell, this Buffern Evolved from the same Sporout that you lived at Professor Pine's lab with. We need to rescue it from Cosmo!"

Cosmo shouts with anger, "Buffern is my Pokémon! We have grown and bonded together!"

"I refuse to believe that! You stole that Pokémon! Turcell, use Ember!"

Cosmo counters, "Buffern, Foliage Fortress!" Buffern blocks the attack with ferns that grow out of its back.

Brock throws a Pokéball too. "Meteorfight, Comet Punch on Meteormight!" Brock's Meteorfight emerges from its Pokéball and punches Orion's Meteormight in face.

Orion shouts, "Meteormight, don't take that from such a wimp! Attack with Meteor Mash!" the two meteor Pokémon begin to duke it out.

Tracey says, "That leaves the grunts for the rest of us! Go, Scizor!" Tracey sends out his Scizor, which apparently Evolved from his Scyther. "Scizor, use X-Scissor!" Scizor flies at a Solrock and slashes its pincers at it in an X formation.

Brenda tosses a Pokéball, releasing Kappaqua. "Kappaqua, attack with Aqua Bomb!" Kappaqua launches its Aqua Bomb, of which the shockwave hits several Protostar, Lunatone, and Solrock.

Jessie and James call out their Repiv and Haking. At the same time, Jessie commands, "Poison Sting!" and James shouts, "Sludge Bomb!" The two Pokémon unleash their attacks on the Planetary Grunts' Pokémon.

The professors stand back and observe.

Cosmo commands, "Buffern, Razor Leaf!" It launches multiple spinning leaves at Turcell.

Ash shouts, "Withdraw Turcell!" Turcell pulls into its shell and the leaves bounces harmlessly off of it. "Now use Molten Slag!" Turcell spits a globule of molten material.

"Knock it out of the way with Mud Slap, and then move in closer and attack with it again!" Buffern stands on its hind legs, and its front legs become covered in mud. In slaps the attack out of the way, and then runs at Turcell.

"Withdraw again!" Turcell pulls back into its shell, right as Buffern slaps it, but this seems to offer little protection, as Turcell is knocked back against the cave wall. Ash grunts.

Brock commands, "Meteorfight, use Meteor Slam!"

Orion shouts, "Show it a real Meteor Slam, Meteormight!" Both Pokémon draw their arms and legs into their bodies and then throw themselves at their opponent. Both Pokémon collide with great force, and knock each other back.

Brock quickly shouts, "Spring off the wall and use Meteor Mash!"

"Do the same Meteormight!" Both Pokémon change the direction of their momentum by pushing off against the cave wall. Their fists then collide midway.

Tracey commands, "Scizor, use Double Team, and then attack with X-Scissor!" Scizor splits into multiple versions of itself, and then each of them slashes at various Planetary Pokémon.

The Pokémon hit by the attack are sent flying towards Kappaqua. Brenda shouts, "Kappaqua, use Confusion!" Kappaqua catches all of the Pokémon then slams them into the ground. "Then follow it up with another Aqua Bomb!" With the launching of another attack, Kappaqua hits all the Pokémon again.

James commands, "Haking, Smokescreen!" Haking covers the area around it, Repiv, and several Planetary Pokémon with smoke.

Jessie declares, "Now, while they can't see you, use Poison Fang!" The silhouette of Repiv can be seen slithering from Pokémon to Pokémon, biting down on each of them.

Meowth cheers, "Yeah, no way a bunch of copycats are going to beat the original Team Rocket!"

Wobbuffet appears and begins cheering on Jessie. "Wobba wobba!"

In the midst of battle, a beeping noise can be heard. A grunt shouts, "Commander Orion, that's the Meteoric Calling device! It's working! We're attracting the Legendary Pokémon!"

Orion moves all his focus from the battle to a strange machine behind him, the source of the beeping. He declares, "Yes, it's finally time! Come out little Legendary Pokémon!"

Suddenly there is an intense flash of light. Everyone stops fighting and looks towards the source. Cosmo looks towards the source of the light with awe. He says with wonder, "It really is here."

Professor Oak says with disbelief, "No, that's impossible…"

The light begins to dim, and a small form can be seen within it. Orion shouts, "Grunts, get that Pokémon!" The grunts all begin to move towards the light. Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Tracey move to try to stop them.

Everything freezes. What is this? Could it really be the Legendary Cosmic Guardian Pokémon of myth? And if it is, what could Team Planetary possibly want with it? The answers to these questions and more, next time…

To Be Continued…