Episode 43: Peak of Perfection

Ash, Brock, and Brenda are on hiking along a mountain trail on a cliff's edge. Brenda appears somewhat worried. She looks down at the long drop and states, "We're so high up…if we fall, it's a long way down."

Brock suggests, "Try not looking down. If you don't think about it, it's not that bad."

Brenda nods and says to herself for assurance, "Right…just don't look down and everything will be fine."

Ash, acting like the height is no big deal, scoffs, "Oh it's not that bad. Nothing to be afraid of at all." Just then Ash trips and lands on his stomach so that his face hangs over the cliff. He shouts in fear, "I'm looking down!"

This seems to cheer Brenda up, as she laughs and says, "You know what Ash, you're right. It is nothing to be afraid of." Brock chuckles.

Ash quickly gets back to his feet, regains his composure, and says, "Right, nothing at all." Brock, Brenda, and Pikachu all laugh at him some more. Ash frowns. "You too Pikachu?"

Pikachu nods and laughs, "Pik pik pik pik!"

Ash sighs with embarrassment. "I can't catch a break…"

Brock says, "Don't worry Ash, according to the trail guide on my Pokéssistant, we're not too far from a rest stop." He chuckles to himself. "You can catch a break there."

Ash grumbles, "That's not what I meant…"

The Narrator laughs too. Today we join our heroes during the trek back up Mt. Corona, the only way in or out of Starcore City, and it looks like Ash might have just found out that he's afraid of heights.

The trail ahead of them turns inwards, away from the cliff and towards a valley. Ash, likely looking for a change in subject, stops and listens to something. "Hey, do you guys hear that?"

Brenda taunts, "Maybe it's the echo of your screams of terror."

"No, I actually hear something."

Brock and Brenda stop to listen. A female voice can be heard shouting, "Lunatone, use Moonblast!"

A male voice then shouts, "Dodge it Solrock, and use Solar Flare!"

Brock observes, "Sounds like a battle."

Ash, looking for any distraction, proclaims, "Cool, let's go check it out!" He runs ahead. The trail leads to the rest stop that Brock spoke of. In a relatively smooth patch of a ground, a battle is being held. Ash stops and gasps when he sees who's battling. It's Liza and Tate battling with their signature Lunatone and Solrock.

Brock and Brenda catch up with Ash. Brock says, "Well, look who it is."

Liza and Tate hear this and momentarily stop battling to look up at the group. They both say at once with surprise, "It's Ash and Brock!" They cease battling and run over to them.

Liza say, "What a surprise seeing you here."

Tate agrees, "What an odd coincidence."

Ash says, "I'm trying to earn gym badges here and enter the Tenno League."

Liza nods. "I suppose that shouldn't be of any surprise."

Tate asks, "And what about May and Max? Are they in Tenno too?"

Brock shakes his head. "No, we went our separate ways some time ago."

Brenda, sounding slightly annoyed, says, "Would anyone care to introduce me?"

Ash grins. "Sorry, this is Liza and Tate, they're the co-Gym Leaders of Mossdeep City in the Hoenn region." He turns to Liza and Tate. "And this is Brenda, she's been traveling with us here in Tenno."

Brenda thinks for a second. "Mossdeep City…isn't that that one city with the second rate space center?"

Tate shouts with rage, "Second rate!? I'll have you know that the Mossdeep Space Center beats anything here in the Tenno Region by a longshot!"

Brenda grins smugly. "Oh, I didn't know the Mossdeep Space Center put a person on the Moon, I thought that was the Cape Space Center in Kanaveral City."

Brock whispers in her ear, "Their parents run the Mossdeep Space Center."

Brenda nods awkwardly. "Oh…sorry."

Liza shrugs. "Don't worry about. There's always been a healthy rivalry between Mossdeep and Kanaveral. It helps both reach their true potential."

Ash asks, "So what brings you two here to Tenno?"

Liza answers, "Officially, our dad said it would be good for us to see the operations at other major space centers."

Tate continues, "But unofficially, we're here to Evolve our Lunatone and Solrock."

Ash questions, "Evolve them?"

Brenda pulls out her Pokédex. First it's, "Lunatone, the Meteorite Pokémon and a Psychic and Rock Combo-Type. The composition of the material that makes up Lunatone is nearly identical to that of rocks brought back from the Moon, leading scientists to speculate that it originates there. Evolves into Lunatue by leveling up in the vicinity of Mt. Corona."

Then, "Solrock, the Meteorite Pokémon and a Psychic and Rock Combo-Type. This Pokémon's body is highly heat resistant, leading to speculation that it originally lived somewhere extremely hot, such as near the surface of the Sun. Evolves into Solem by leveling up in the vicinity of Mt. Corona."

She asks, "They only Evolve here at Mt. Corona? Why's that?"

Tate explains, "No one's really sure why, but there seems to be some sort of unique cosmic energy field here required for Lunatone and Solrock to Evolve."

Liza adds, "So as soon as we heard we were going to Tenno, we knew we had to stop here. That's why we were battling. We were trying to give our Pokémon the experience necessary to Evolve."

Brock asks with curiosity, "If it's a location-based Evolution, how do you know you're in the right place? Maybe where we are now doesn't receive that cosmic energy."

Tate answers, "That's easy. Solrock here can sense the energy, isn't that right Solrock?"

The Pokémon nods. "Sol."

Liza adds, "Lunatone can too. I guess since it causes their Evolution, the two of them are tuned in to its frequency or something. This spot had the strongest field we could find."

Ash has an idea. "Hey, how about you let us help you train?"

Tate exclaims, "That's a great idea, we could have a tag battle!"

Liza nods in agreement. "I like the sound of that. It can get boring fighting the same person over and over again…especially when that person's Tate." She laughs.

"Hey!"

Ash turns to Brock. "What do you say, want to be my tag battle partner?"

Brock nods. "Sounds great."

So they take their positions. It's Liza and Tate vs. Ash and Brock. Brenda watches from a bench. Liza and Tate already have their Pokémon out.

Ash tosses a Pokéball. "Falcoknight, I chose you!"

Brock throws his Pokéball, "Go, Meteorfight!" Both Pokémon appear.

Tate marvels, "Wow Brock, you never told me you had a meteor Pokémon too!"

Brock grins. "I caught this early in my journey through Tenno. I'm sure it will be a fun match-up against your Pokémon."

Liza says, "Alright then, let's get this battle started. You two can make the first move."

Ash grins. "Great. Falcoknight, use Talon Grapple on Solrock!"

Brock commands, "And Meteorfight, you use Meteor Mash on Lunatone!" Both Pokémon lunge at their targets, ready for battle.

Liza and Tate both order at once, "Psychic!" Lunatone and Solrock combine their psychic powers to stop the attacking Pokémon midair.

Liza says, "You'll find that Tate and I have grown a lot as a team since we last battled."

Tate agrees, "Now we're truly a tag battle force to be reckoned with."

They then both command, "Throw them!" Falcoknight and Meteorfight are tossed to the ground.

Liza orders, "Moonblast, Lunatone!"

Tate orders, "Solar Flare, Solrock!" Lunatone charges an orb of pink energy and fires it, while Solrock attacks with tendrils of fiery plasma. The two attacks hit the Pokémon lying helpless on the ground at the same time.

Ash asks, "Are you okay Falcoknight?"

And Brock asks, "Can you move Meteorfight?" Both Pokémon get back to their feet and respond with a nod.

Ash turns to Brock and says, "I think it's time for a combination attack."

Brock nods in agreement. "Let's do it." He turns to Meteorfight. "Prepare for a Meteor Slam!" Meteorfight pulls in its limbs and floats in the air, ready to attack.

Ash orders, "Grab it with your talons and hurl it at them!" Falcoknight grabs hold to the top of Meteorfight and flies straight at Lunatone and Solrock.

Liza and Tate order at the same time, "Lunar Beam!" and, "Solar Beam!"

Ash quickly counters, "Aerial Maneuvers!" Falcoknight banks to left and then disappears with a burst of speed. The two beams miss. Falcoknight reappears behind Lunatone and Solrock.

Both Ash and Brock declare, "Now!" Falcoknight hurls Meteorfight, which plummets into both Lunatone and Solrock, inflicting massive damage.

Ash cheers, "Yeah, that went perfectly."

Brock observes Lunatone and Solrock, and takes note of how damaged they appear now. He says, "We almost have this."

Liza says smugly, "I wouldn't be too certain of that if I were you."

Tate agrees, "Yeah, we're full of surprises."

"Lunatone, use Moonlight!"

"Solrock, use Morning Sun!" Lunatone glows a gentle silver while Solrock glows a brilliant gold. When they cease to glow, all of their damage is gone, they've healed completely.

They both say, "Looks like this battle isn't as closed to finish as you thought."

As they're saying that, the ground suddenly begins to shake, and a massive booming noise can be heard. Brenda cries out, "What was that!?"

Brock looks around and observes, "It sounded like it came from over there!" Everyone runs in the direction Brock indicates. They climb up over a small hill. Once on the top, they can see something going on in the valley below them. It's full of Team Planetary Grunts.

Ash says angrily, "Team Planetary…"

Tate asks, "What's your beef with Team Planetary?"

Brock explains, "Believe it or not, they're not the benevolent group that they're made out to be. They'll lie, cheat, and steal to come out on top."

Liza says, "Actually, we can believe that. Tenno may be blind to their actions because of hero worship, but we at the Mossdeep Space Center have realized that something fishy is going on with them."

Ash points, "And of course he's here." He's pointing at Cosmo, walking up towards a large hole in the ground that's releasing smoke.

Cosmo walk up to two grunts on the edge of the hole and asks, "What do you have to report?"

One grunt answers, "Sir, we're almost certain we found it this time. Once we blasted the hole, our energy readings went off the charts. This tunnel should lead us straight to the Solar Peak Temple."

Up from behind Cosmo, the Planetary Commander Cygnus steps up. She sighs with relief. "So we can finally get this drag of a search over with."

Cosmo suggests, "Hey, you should watch your tongue. Team Planetary has been combing these mountains for years searching for the Solar Peak. This is a very important moment in Team Planetary history."

Cygnus groans. "Look kid, I don't go telling you what to think, so mind your own business. You don't outrank me yet."

Cosmo says with annoyance, "Fine then ma'am, as your subordinate officer, I suggest that we proceed into the tunnels."

Cygnus shrugs. "Works for me."

Cosmo sighs, and then shouts to all the grunts, "Alright, let's get moving! Everyone into the tunnels!" And they all begin to climb down into the hole.

Brenda asks, "What do we do?"

Ash answers, "Isn't it obvious? Whatever they're doing is no good. We've got to follow them."

Tate says, "You can count me in too. My dad would get a kick out of hearing a true story about Team Planetary."

Liza says, "I guess that means I'm going as well."

All of Team Planetary has gone down the hole. The group leaves to follow.

Watching from their balloon is Team Rocket. Jessie complains, "It figures that just as we're about to attempt to capture Pikachu Team Copycat shows up and interrupts."

James declares, "Not only are they unoriginal, but they have no sense of manners whatsoever."

Meowth suggests, "Let's just wait and watch this time. Maybe an opportunity will present itself."

James nods. "Good things come to thieves who wait."

Who's that Pokémon!?

Its skin has a rubbery elasticity, so this Pokémon can reduce damage by defensively pulling its skin up to its neck.

Ash, Brock, Brenda, Liza, and Tate have made it down into tunnels inside the mountain. They are sneaking quietly through them. Brock points up ahead and whispers, "Look, there's Team Planetary." Sure enough, ahead of them Team Planetary is standing in front of what appears to be a dead end at first glance. They dive behind some rocks to hide and listen in.

A grunt reports to Cosmo, "Sir, this is most definitely the gateway to the Solar Peak Ruins."

Cygnus then complains, "If you've confirmed that, then why haven't you gotten out the detonation charges yet? Let's blow this wall up and get in there already. I'm ready to be done with this mission."

Cosmo shakes his head. "No, we can't do that."

"What do you mean we can't do that?"

"We have to respect for these ruins. We can't just go blowing them up. If we damage anything, think of all the knowledge that could be used for the betterment of Tenno that could be lost. No, there's another way in, I just know it."

Cygnus groans. "Fine…whatever floats your boat kid."

Cosmo nods. He turns back to the grunt and tells him, "Bring me the Meteoric Shard we brought with us. According to legend, these ruins have a connection to the Meteoric Shards."

The grunt nods. "Yes sir," and leaves to fetch the shard.

Cosmo begins to walk along the wall and observe it closely. He feels all of the grooves and crevices. He puts his ear up to the walls and listens. After several moments of close observation, he seems to find something he's looking for. A groove in the wall. He traces it with his finger, following it across the wall, until it leads him to a small divot. He commands, "The Meteoric Shard, now!" A grunt hands him a small fragment of rock. He takes the shard and inserts it into the divot.

The moment he does so, the shard and the divot react and begin to glow a golden light, similar to the sun. This sunlight then spreads out from the source, filling in what at first appeared to be grooves, cracks, and crevices across the wall. Now lit up, it's easy to tell that this wall has been full of carvings and petroglyphs. Once they're all lit up, the entire tunnel begins to shake as the wall actually slides to the side, acting as a doorway.

Cosmo watches with awe. "I knew it."

Cygnus states, "Great kid, don't get cocky."

Cosmo looks to all the grunts and declares, "Beyond this doorway is the Solar Peak Ruins. Let's get moving."

Cygnus holds up a hand, indicating for a pause. "Before that, we have something else to deal with. A vermin problem." She points across the room, right to where Ash and the others are hiding.

Instantly all the grunts throw Pokéballs, releasing hordes of Protostar and Elgyem. Ash and the others walk out from their hiding spot with their hands up.

Ash whispers, "Come on Brock, we can take them."

Brock shakes his head. "No Ash, we can't fight that many all by ourselves."

Cosmo sees who it is, groans with annoyance, and orders, "Tie them up."

It's Scraggy!

Ash, Brock, Brenda, Liza, Tate, and even Pikachu are thrown down to the ground. They're all tied up and unable to move. They are now behind the door. It is a massive chamber filled with ancient ruins. Everywhere across the ruins there seems to be solar imagery and symbols.

Cosmo steps up to the tied up group and tells them. "You five should be proud of yourselves. You're among the first group of people to step foot in these ruins for thousands of years. Legends have always spoken of an underground shrine built by an ancient society of sun worshippers that has been lost and never again found. It was said to hold untold secrets of the solar system and the cosmos beyond it." He looks straight at Ash. "Secrets that can be used for the betterment of Tenno, and Team Planetary just uncovered their resting place. Can you still not see that what Team Planetary does is for the good of Tenno?"

Ash says loathingly, "It doesn't matter what you do if you do it for the wrong reasons. You don't want a better Tenno, you want to control Tenno."

Cygnus then buts in. "And what would be so wrong with that? People are stupid, and make stupid choices. With Team Planetary in control, Tenno would be a much better place."

Ash looks her in the eyes and responds, "That's not the kind of better place I'd want to live in."

She groans and rolls her eyes. "Like I said, stupid choices."

Cosmo looks to them and says, "We'll deal with you later." He turns to grunt and orders, "It's time to start searching. Scan the area. We need to determine the source of this place's cosmic energy." The grunts all get right to work.

Once they're alone, Brenda whispers, "So is this really the legendary Solar Peak Ruins they think it is?"

Brock looks around. "I don't see what else it could be."

She then asks, "And what are they looking for? What's this about cosmic energy?"

Liza answers, "I'd be willing to bet anything that they're looking for the source of the energy that allows Lunatone and Solrock to Evolve."

Tate speculates, "That's probably why Lunatone and Solrock found the energy to be strongest where we were. We were right on top of these ruins the whole time."

Ash adds, "And given the affinity Team Planetary seems to have for all this mystic cosmic stuff, it'd be right up their alley."

Their discussion is interrupted when a grunt declares, "Sir, I've got it!" She's standing next to a large rectangular monolith, covered in petroglyphs, centered in the back of the chamber. Cosmo approaches her and she explains, "This monolith seems to be what emits the cosmic energy."

Cosmo nods. He is pleased. He walks up to the monolith with reverence and lightly touches it. "This must be the legendary Sol Monolith. I never thought it was real, but here it is, right before my eyes."

Cygnus complains, "Yeah, it's a great, big, giant rock. Very exciting. Can we get a move on please?"

Cosmo looks at her with annoyance, and then back to the monolith. He pulls out some sort of scanner device and scans it. He looks at the results. "Just as I suspected. It's not exactly the same, but it appears to be made up of some sort of pseudo-Meteoric Shard material. Perhaps an effort to duplicate their power created by the ancients."

Ash struggles to break free of his binders. He says with determination, "We can't let them to get their hands on that thing."

Brenda says, "Ash, it's impossible. You'll never break free like that."

Then a voice declares, "At least you won't without our help." And then in a flash of motion, the ropes tying up Ash and Pikachu are suddenly cut. Another flash, and so are everyone else's. They all look behind them to see Team Rocket standing there, Meowth with his claws extended.

Ash asks, "Team Rocket, what are you doing here?"

Brock asks, "And why are you helping us?"

Jessie grins. She whispers, "Prepare for us to get you out of trouble."

James whispers, "We're helping you out so make that double."

"To protect the twerps from devastation."

"To unite with the enemies of our nation."

"To help the causes of truth and love."

"To make alliances to extend our reach to the stars above."

"Jessie."

"James."

"Team Rocket will make Team Planetary blast off faster than light."

"With you on our side, they'll surely loose the fight."

"Meowth, that's right."

Then Wobbuffet appears and whispers, "Wobbuffet."

And Mime Jr. whispers, "Mime mime."

Ash is still confused. "So why did you rescue us?"

Jessie groans. "You twerps never listen our mottos. We saved you because we know you'll mess up Team Planetary's plans, which is what we want you to do."

Suddenly a grunt shouts, "The prisoners have escaped!"

Jessie begins, "And after that coup…"

James continues, "Our work is through…"

Meowth chuckles, "So we bid you adieu."

They then run off, back into the tunnels, shouting, "Team Rocket's running off again!" They disappear in the distance. Wobbuffet can be heard shouting, "Wobbuffet!"

And now Ash and the others are surrounded once more by Team Planetary Grunts and their Pokémon. Brock says, "Great, now we're back to square one. We can't fight all of them."

Liza suddenly has an idea. "Maybe we don't have to."

Tate instantly realizes what she's inferring.

Cosmo declares, "There's really no reason in fighting us. We have you outnumbered and surrounded."

Tate shouts up to Cosmo, "Well how about this then, my sister and I challenge you and your Commander to a tag battle. And if we when, you let us go free."

Cygnus laughs. "How deluded are you? Why would we ever accept that offer? We have nothing to gain by battling you."

Liza corrects her, "Actually, you do. You may not know this, but my brother and I are the co-gym leaders of Mossdeep City. Our parents run the Mossdeep Space Center."

Tate continues for her, "If you defeat us, we can tell you about the secret new space program they're working at there."

This intrigues Cygnus. She sighs. "Fine then. We accept your challenge."

Cosmo is shocked. "Wait…we do?"

Cygnus nods. "Secrets of our only true rival in the space industry could prove quite valuable to Team Planetary." She then orders, "Step aside, grunts." All of the grunts move out of the way to clear a battle field. "Send out your Pokémon."

Liza and Tate grin. In mirrored movements they throw their Pokéballs, shouting, "Go Lunatone!" and, "Go Solrock!" at the same time.

Cygnus casually tosses a Pokéball, releasing a Beheeyem. Cosmo throws his Pokéball, sending out Buffern.

Liza orders, "Lunatone, use Moonblast on Beheeyem!"

And Tate orders, "Solrock, Solar Flare on Buffern!" Both Pokémon launch their attacks.

Cosmo orders, "Foliage Fortress!"

And Cygnus orders, "Protect!" The two Pokémon erect barriers and stop the attacks against them cold. "Now use Psybeam!"

"And you use Razor Leaf!" Now the Planetary Pokémon launch attacks.

Liza and Tate both shout, "Dodge!" at once. Their Pokémon manage to dodge the attacks at first, but then both Buffern and Beheeyem change the angles of their attacks and land a hit.

Once the first hit lands, the instinct of both Cygnus and Cosmo is to go in for a stronger attack. Cygnus orders, "Zen Headbutt!"

And Cosmo orders, "Bulldoze!" Both Pokémon go charging in for a direct attack before Lunatone and Solrock can recover. Both attacks land, dealing large amounts of damage.

Liza and Tate shout out, "Lunatone!" and "Solrock!" respectively.

Liza suggests, "Try using Moonlight Lunatone!"

Tate agrees, "Good idea, you use Morning Sun Solrock!"

Cygnus rolls her eyes. "You've got to be kidding me. Beheeyem, just use Heal Block." An odd light is emitted from Beheeyem's hands, and the glowing of Lunatone and Solrock ceases.

Liza and Tate gasp.

Brock shakes his head. "This isn't good. Cygnus and Cosmo aren't even battling as a team, but they're both powerful enough that Liza and Tate are having a tough time fighting back."

Ash says, "They can do it. They have to."

Sounding somewhat panicked, Liza orders, "Use your Lunar Beam attack!"

Sounding equally panicked, Tate adds, "And you charge your Solar Beam!"

While the two Pokémon are charging their attacks, Cygnus, obviously feeling ready to wrap this up, orders, "Use Synchronoise." Beheeyem emits a shockwave of rainbow energy. The shockwave passes Buffern causing no damage, but then hits Lunatone and Solrock, interrupting their charge and dealing massive damage. Lunatone and Solrock fall to the ground.

Liza shouts, "Come on Lunatone, you've just got to get back up!" Lunatone struggles for a moment, but then falls back to the ground.

Tate encourages, "You can't be finished yet Solrock!" Solrock to tries to get back up but fails.

Cygnus groans. "What a bore. Looks like this battle's already over."

Both twins shout with determination, "You can do this!" Their Pokémon seem to respond to their words and begin to glow. The twins are surprised.

Brenda asks, "Is that what I think it is?"

Brock nods. "Yeah, Lunatone and Solrock are Evolving!"

Ash cheers, "Yeah, way to go Liza and Tate!"

The shape of the two Pokémon begin to change. An entire body grows out from underneath them. The glowing ceases revealing two new Pokémon. What was once Solrock now has a sturdy and bulky humanoid body of rock beneath it, leaving what used to be its entire body as its head. It also has extra sun ray rocks that levitate around its head. Similarly, Lunatone has also grown a body, turning what it used to be into a head. Where Solrock's body bulky and solid, Lunatone's is slim and loosely constructed, composed of a collection of rocks suspended beneath by psychic powers. Both Pokémon are completely revitalized.

Ash pulls out his Pokédex. "Solem, the Meteorite Pokémon and a Psychic and Rock Combo-Type. It is believed that once it has absorbed a significant amount of cosmic energy, Solrock are able to change their form to better match their environment. Having landed on Earth, their form bodies suited for terrestrial living. Evolves from Solrock by leveling up in the vicinity of Mt. Corona."

And then, "Lunatue, the Meteorite Pokémon and a Psychic and Rock Combo-Type. The rocks that make up its body come straight from the Moon and are connected via a low level telekinetic field. If it loses part of its body, it can be replaced by nearby rocks. Evolves from Lunatone by leveling up in the vicinity of Mt. Corona."

The twins exclaim at once, "That's great!" They then look to each other and ask, "Are you ready to do this?" They then answer each other, "I sure am!"

Liza commands, "Let's do a Moonblast Lunatue!"

Tate shouts, "Go for a Solar Flare Solem!" Both Pokémon unleash the same attacks that they opened the battle with, but this time much more powerful and much quicker. Both attacks land before Cygnus and Cosmo can counter.

Both then order, "Use Solar/Lunar Beam while they're down!" commanding each Pokémon to use its respective beam attack.

Cygnus tries to order, "Protect!" but by the time Beheeyem starts to erect a barrier, it's already hit.

The twins declare, "Let's wrap this up! Double Psychic!" Both opposing Pokémon are lifted into the air.

Just then, a grunt comes running up to Cygnus. He reports, "Ma'am, we've successfully removed a chunk of rock from the Sol Monolith. It is ready for transport."

Cosmo is shocked. He shouts in rage, "What!? I never ordered you to do that!"

Cygnus talks down to him, "But I did. We need a sample of this pseudo-Meteoric Shard material to further our research."

"How could you do that!? That monolith is a national treasure! You can't defile it by cutting it into pieces!"

"Tough luck kid. Team Planetary needs it, so Team Planetary's taking it." She then orders, "Now get us out of here."

All at once, the grunts order their Elgyem to use Teleport. A high pitch hum envelops the room and everyone in Team Planetary is cloaked in a blue light.

Ash runs towards Cosmo shouting, "No! You're not getting away again!"

Cosmo looks towards Ash, almost with a look of regret, and then disappears. Ash stumbles, as his target is now gone.

Ash shouts in anger, "No! They got away again!"

Tate apologizes, "Sorry, it's all our fault."

Liza says, "Yeah, we shouldn't have been having so much trouble. We should have beat them sooner."

Brock says, "No, you two did the best you could, it's not your fault."

Brenda points to the other side of the chamber. "Guys, look at the Sol Monolith." Everyone looks. A large chunk has been taken out of its side.

Brock says, "That disgusts me. I've read about these ruins and the Sol Monolith. They're very important to Tenno's history. I can't believe that a group that claims to work for the betterment of Tenno would ever even consider defiling it."

Ash says, "This only goes further to prove that all their propaganda is a lie. We will expose Team Planetary. Someday Tenno will realize the monsters that they are."

They've all made it back out to the rest area. Liza suggests, "Well, we really should be on our way now."

Tate apologizes, "Sorry we couldn't finish our battle, but if we want to make it to Starcore City by nightfall we better get moving."

Brock nods in agreement. "The same goes for us."

Ash says, "I guess this is goodbye for now then."

Liza and Tate nod. Tate says, "Once again, we really are sorry we couldn't be better help down there."

Liza adds, "If only Lunatone and Solrock had Evolved sooner."

Brenda says, "That's not something we can worry about. Look at the bright side, at least you got what you came here for. They did Evolve in the end."

Tate nods. "I suppose you're right."

Liza smiles and says, "It's been great seeing you Ash and Brock, and it was great to meet you Brenda."

Ash says, "And it was great to see you too." The two groups split up and go their separate ways.

Once more our heroes encounter Team Planetary and once more Team Planetary comes out ahead. Can anything or anyone stop Team Planetary? Maybe we'll find out…as the journey continues.

To Be Continued…