Episode 144: Planetary Crisis Part 1: Cometed Crimes

A holovision is turned on and a news program is playing. The anchorwoman is saying, "The countdown has started. In t-minus 72 hours, or three days, the long-awaited mission of the Space Shuttle Rayquaza will begin. The Space Shuttle Rayquaza is Team Planetary's newest shuttle. It is the most high-tech space vessel ever launched. Its mission is of exploration and scientific discovery. It will travel further from Earth than any space shuttle before it. Polaris, the leader of Team Planetary, has stated that he hopes discoveries made by the Space Shuttle Rayquaza will help in Team Planetary's mission of helping not only the Tenno Region, but the entire world."

The holovision is turned off by Polaris, who stands in his office at Planetary HQ in Kanaveral City, looking through his window. From his vantage point on the top floor of the tallest skyscraper in the city, he can see the Cape Space Center in the distance. A space shuttle with boosters attached looks ready for launch. He grins. "Five years. For five, long, hard, exhausting years I have dedicated myself to the mission. I have sacrificed so much. Endured so much more. But at last, the time has nearly come to save the world. The Space Shuttle Rayquaza will launch in three short days. But still, even three days feels like an eternity. But what is three days compared to five years of preparation, planning, and execution? I can wait, just as I always have."

He turns to his desk and his eyes immediately lock onto the framed photo of him and Andromeda, Cosmo's father, taken over five years ago. Though it's just a picture, the grinning face of Andromeda seems to stare at Polaris, gazing into his very soul. Polaris can't bring himself to look away from the photo. Polaris breaks out of his trance and topples the frame down so he can't see the picture anymore.

"Don't look at me like that. I have endured your critical stare for five years now. I will not be deterred by phantoms at this stage. It is not my fault you lacked vision." He looks to the framed photo next to the first, which is of a younger Cosmo. "Cosmo, soon you will see that everything we've been forced to sacrifice will be worth it. Nothing is more important than saving this world."

Polaris steps back onto a circular panel on the floor behind his desk. He presses a button on the wall, there's a flash of light, and Polaris is teleported elsewhere. When he reappears, he's inside a laboratory filled with machinery and scientific instruments. Across the room from him is three pods. In the left pod is the shooting star Pokémon, Ryusei. In the right is the meteor Pokémon, Showakusei. The middle pod is empty. The two Cosmic Guardians look to be in a state of suspended animation.

Behind the pods the room opens up massively. An incredibly large open chamber at least several stories in height lies just beyond. In the center of the chamber is something enormous. A towering machine too large to grasp the scope and purpose of.

Polaris approaches the pods. "Ryusei, Showakusei, soon you will be reunited with your final sibling, and then you will lend your combined might to the worthy cause of saving this world. We all must maintain vision. We all must make sacrifices."

Ash, Brock, and Brenda travel down a path through a forest. Brock explains, "The Comet Lake is supposed to be beautiful this time of year."

Ash shrugs. "It's just a lake. How special could it be?"

Brenda points out, "Ash, the Comet Lake is the remnants of an ancient comet collision with Earth. The collision left a perfectly circular crater, which filled with the water of the melted ice from the comet. There's nothing else like it."

Ash pauses. "Wait, are you saying it's a space lake?"

Brenda shrugs. "I suppose that's one way to put it."

"Space lake! All right! Let's get there, and let's get there fast!"

Trouble may be brewing, but our heroes don't have any way of knowing that yet. For now, they ignorantly enjoy their final moments of peace before the impending crisis.

Ash, Brock, and Brenda come to an abrupt stop when they spot a barricade ahead, blocking them from further travel up the road. Manning the barricade are two Team Planetary Grunts.

Knowing exactly what Ash is thinking, Brenda urges, "Ash, please don't do anything rash."

Ash ignores her. He marches forward and demands, "What are you doing here!?"

The grunts look to Ash. One says, "Sorry, but the Comet Lake is currently closed due to special Team Planetary operations in the area. Please come another time."

"What is Team Planetary doing?"

The other grunt answers with annoyance in his voice, "An environmental survey of the lake's ecosystem. It's a process that must not be interfered with."

Ash stares intensely at the grunt. "As if. You and I both know that Team Planetary is up to no good over there. So you better step aside or—"

Brock and Brenda pull Ash away. Brenda apologizes, "Sorry about my friend. We'll be out of your hair now."

Ash demands, "What are you guys doing!? We have to stop whatever Team Planetary's plans are!"

Brock sighs. "Ash…you've been getting more and more obsessed with Team Planetary lately. You have to think more logically. We have no way of knowing that those grunts are lying. Team Planetary could actually be doing an important and harmless ecological survey."

Ash shakes his head. "Nothing Team Planetary does is harmless. Have you not realized that yet?"

Brenda asserts, "Ash, Team Planetary has existed for over fifty years. Their list of positive accomplishments goes on and on. Remember Leo? Remember how he showed you that there are good people in Team Planetary willing to do the right thing?"

Ash clenches his fists. He's angry that he can't argue against Brenda's point.

As they're about to walk away, someone tries to get their attention, "Pssst."

Ash looks around, "Huh, what was that?"

A whisper comes from a nearby bush. "It's just me." The bush stands up on legs that emerge from the bottom.

Ash leaps back in surprise, "Aah! Talking bush!"

The bush laughs at him. "Sort of, I suppose. This is just my disguise." A hand emerges from the side of the bush to push some of the top foliage aside, revealing Braydon's face. "How's it going, guys?"

Brenda asks with surprise, "Braydon? What are you doing here?"

Braydon beckons to the bush enshrouding his torso. "Isn't it obvious?"

Brock asks, "You're trying to get more in tune with nature?"

Brenda guesses, "You're playing an intense game of hide-and-seek?"

Ash tries, "You want to experience the joys of photosynthesis firsthand?"

Braydon stares at them for a moment, before correcting, "No, no, and definitely no. This is my disguise so I can spy on Team Planetary. They've been preparing for a big operation here for some time now. Way too much preparation to be a simple ecological survey."

Ash cheers, "I knew it!"

Brock asks skeptically, "Then what would they be doing here?"

"The answer is obvious, once you know the legend of the Comet Lake."

Ash questions, "The legend?"

Braydon nods. "The comet that created the lake is believed to have also been the home of Suisei, the third Cosmic Guardian."

Ash gasps. "Cosmic Guardian? Like Ryusei and Showakusei?"

"Exactly. And that's way too much of a coincidence, even if you're not a conspiracy theorist. There's only one possible thing Team Planetary wants with the Crater Lake, and that's Suisei."

Ash pulls out his Pokédex and consults the myths and legends database. An artist rendering of a Pokémon similar in shape and stature to Ryusei and Showakusei. Its body is colored silver, while hands, feet, and most of its head are colored a silvery-blue. Its head looks to be partially encased in ice. Its entire body is engulfed in a wispy aura, also a silvery-blue color. "Suisei, the Comet Pokémon, and an Ice and Psychic combo-type. Legend tells that Suisei was created to direct comets to Earth, depositing a supply of life-sustaining water to the planet. It remains out of sight, guarding the Cosmic Architect's creations. Does not evolve."

Ash pounds a fist into a palm. "We'll stop them this time. I won't let Suisei meet the same fate as Ryusei and Showakusei. I'll do anything in my power to make sure Team Planetary does not succeed today."

Braydon grins. "Happy for the help. It's a good thing you guys happened along. I wasn't sure how I was going to do this alone."

Brenda points out, "That also means you can ditch the bush costume."

Braydon looks down at the leaves covering his body. "Why?"

Brenda chuckles. "It's kind of goofy. You know, like the sort of costume Team Rocket would wear."

Braydon shrugs. "I don't know. I kind of like it. Though, it is itchy." The group moves on as they begin to discuss their plan of attack.

Then three more bushes behind where Braydon was hiding begin to move. They too produce legs and stand up. One bush asks, "That twerpette dares compare that amateurish Halloween costume to our full-blown disguises? Who does she think she is?" It's clearly Jessie speaking. Despite her convictions, their costumes seem no more convincing than Braydon's.

James points out, "Well, they are itchy. They were right about that much." Leaves shuffle about as James can be heard scratching himself inside the costume.

Meowth points out, "They simply know not of what they speak. They wouldn't know a good disguise if it walked up to them and robbed them."

Jessie points out, "Of course they wouldn't. That's the point of a disguise."

Wobbuffet appears and agrees, "Wobbuffet!" The Pokémon holds tree branches with leaves in each hand, in a pathetic attempt to have a costume of its own.

Meowth comments, "Enough talk about costumes, we're ignoring the important point here. Team Copycat is already back in action. We'll have to put them in their place, yet again."

James remarks, "And by yet again, you mean for the first time."

Meowth retorts, "That all depends on your definition of 'putting in their place.'"

"Touché."

Jessie comments, "If there's one thing I'm always ready to do, it's be a thorn in Team Copycat's side. If we simply annoy them enough, maybe someday they'll learn to have some actual originality."

James laughs. "Like that's possible!"

From above, "Deli deli!"

Meowth gasps, "Do my ears deceive me, or is that…?"

They all pull aside the leaves shrouding their faces and shout together, "It's the Team Rocket Delibird!"

The Pokémon lands in front of them and announces, "Deli!"

Meowth asks excitedly, "What kind of delivery?"

Delibird digs through its sack and pulls out a letter. "Deli."

James pauses, "Wait a sec… The last time we saw Delibird, it gave us only half the letter from the Boss and made us believe we had been fired. Why are we so happy to see it now?"

Jessie recalls the unfortunate misunderstanding. "You're right." She looks to Delibirid with fire in her eyes. "This better be good news, or else I will shoot the messenger."

Delibird takes a step back out of fear. "Deli…"

Meowth translates, "Delibird promises that this is good news."

Jessie points two fingers at her eyes, and then turns them to point at Delibird.

Delibird gulps nervously as it hands the letter to Meowth.

Meowth takes the letter, scans it, and exclaims, "Oh my goodness, it's finally happening!"

James leans over his shoulder in an attempt to read it. "What is it? Is it the invitation we've been waiting for!"

Jessie exclaims, "They've finally made it a reality! They've invited us!"

Together they cheer, "It wasn't lost in the mail after all!"

Meowth laughs at them. "Sorry to smash your ultimate dreams, but that's not what this is. It's better."

Jessie and James look defeated. James asks, "How could it be better…?"

"Because it's a memo from the Boss. The Team Rocket invasion of Tenno is scheduled to begin in twenty-four hours. This says we're to report to Kanaveral City immediately for our assignments."

Jessie, suddenly excited, asks, "The Team Rocket invasion of Tenno!? That's everything we've been working towards for all our time here!"

James, also excited, adds, "We've put in so much hard work, and now it's about to pay off!"

Meowth points out, "Not only that, but the Boss wants us on the front lines! This may be the most important assignment we've ever received!"

Jessie demands, "What are we waiting for!? Let's make like bushes and leave!" They dash off, not even bothering to remove their costumes first.

Delibird breathes a sigh of relief before it takes off and flies away.

The two Planetary Grunts continue to stand guard at the path to Comet Lake. One yawns. The other looks to him and asks, "Do you ever get the feeling that you're stuck in life? Like, no matter what you do, you just can't move forward. You try and try and try, but nothing ever changes. It's like you're just standing on a road, but not moving."

"Uhh…we are standing on a road and not moving…"

"I mean metaphorically though. I've been in Team Planetary for seven years, but I'm still not doing anything more than simple guard duty. I don't want to stand in one spot day-in and day-out."

"I thought you said you were speaking metaphorically about standing still."

"I was, now I'm not. You have a problem with that?"

The other grunt shrugs nonchalantly. "No. Not really."

"Look, my point is that there's so much more to life than guard duty. We could be so much more than what we are. Why are we settling for mediocrity?"

"Don't project your problems on to me."

"Come on. Are you telling me that there's nothing you'd rather be doing with your life right now?"

The grunt shrugs indifferently again. "Nothing comes to mind."

The first grunt makes a realization. "Oh, I get it. By doing your current assignment the best you can, that's your ticket to promotion, as well as bigger and better things. Therefore, you are doing exactly what you need to be doing. It's so obvious, it's not! You're a miracle worker, man! You should consider being an inspirational speaker or a therapist or something."

The other grunt shows no emotion towards the idea and bluntly responds, "That would require talking with people."

"I'm going to take your advice, and I'm going to be the best guard I can. I won't let anyone past this point. I am going to take pride in my job, and I am going to work until I get that promotion!" He stands up straight, taking an over-exaggerated guard posture.

Ash runs up to the guards and shouts, "Guys! Look! That bush is walking! Walking!"

The eager grunt swings around. "Huh?" The other doesn't bother looking.

Braydon, still in his bush costume, runs past them. With their attention elsewhere, at least the one who cares, Ash, Brock, and Brenda run past them as well.

The first grunt shouts, "Hey! Get back here!" He looks to his partner, who seems to be pretending he didn't see anything. "Come on! We've got to get them!"

The other groans. "Or…hear me out…we don't."

"Bu why would we…?" Realization strikes him. "If Commander Sirius learns that a couple of kids made it past our post, we'd be in trouble. Possibly get demoted. But if we conveniently 'didn't see' them, then we did our jobs perfectly. You're a genius!"

The other shrugs. "Eh."

Then a streak of light suddenly zooms past them at incredible speeds, leaving behind nothing but a breeze. The eager grunt looks around in confusion. "Huh? What was that?"

The other asks disinterestedly, "What was what?"

"Right. Yeah. Nothing. Of course. Nothing got past us. Not even a blur of light."

Who's that Pokémon!?

It is said to live in another world. The intense light it radiates from the surface of its body can make the darkest of nights light up like midday.

Braydon has now ditched the costume. He, along with Ash, Brock, and Brenda, run down the path to the Comet Lake. Water shimmers in the sunlight, just beyond the trees ahead. Brenda asks with concern, "Shouldn't we have some sort of plan?"

Ash points out, "How can we make a plan, if we don't even know what we're up against yet? We have to see what Team Planetary is doing first."

Brenda is about to object but realizes she can't. "That…actually makes sense."

Braydon points ahead. "Stay quiet. There they are." They take hiding spots behind trees and look to the Planetary operation ahead of them.

A group of Planetary Grunts are boarding a small hover boat. Overseeing them is Planetary Commander Sirius and Cosmo.

Ash clenches his fists instinctively and says under his breath, "Cosmo…" He steps forward involuntarily, but is held back by Brock, who silently shakes his head.

Sirius announces sternly, "The island at the center of this lake hides the entrance to the Comet Chamber. It is where we will find the third Grand Meteoric Shard, as well as its guardian, Suisei. As always, this mission is top-secret. For the good of the Tenno Region, the truth of what we are doing here cannot be known."

The grunts immediately respond, "Sir, yes, sir!" Cosmo makes no response.

Sirius looks to Cosmo. "I didn't hear your response."

Cosmo's attention seems to be elsewhere. He stares off into space.

Sirius crosses his arms and asserts, "I am in command of this mission, and you will respond to me with respect owed to a superior. Unless you've recently received a promotion I am not aware of."

Cosmo looks back to Sirius with loathing in his eyes. "Sorry, sir. My thoughts were elsewhere."

"We are on the verge of the most important Team Planetary mission since the Moon landing. This is not a time to be distracted."

"Of course."

Sirius eyes him critically.

"Of course, sir." He says sir, but he says it with no respect in his voice. Cosmo and Sirius board the boat and it departs for an island in the center of the lake.

Ash shakes his head in disgust. "This just confirms what I knew all along. Cosmo didn't learn anything from our time together in the Den of Mega Evolution." He pounds a fist into a tree. "I let my guard down around him before, and that allowed him the chance to take the second Grand Meteoric Shard from me while I slept. And now he's about to take the third and final one."

Brenda consoles, "Ash, it's not your fault. You had to work with Cosmo to escape. You had no choice but to trust him, or else you never would have gotten out of the Den of Mega Evolution."

Braydon points out, "And don't forget, we've got an advantage over Cosmo this time."

Ash questions, "We do?"

Braydon nods. "Thanks to the message from my father, we can be almost certain that it was Team Interplanetary, the Planetary Shadow Organization, that had his father, as well as mine, silenced. The revelation that the group he's dedicated his life too are the same people responsible for taking his father from him will shatter his perception of the world."

Ash doesn't seem convinced. "I'm not sure that someone as set in his ways as Cosmo could ever have his perception of the world shattered." He sighs. "But, if it possibly gives us a leg up in our fight against Team Planetary, then we need to try."

Brock states, "We'll cross that bridge when we get there, but first we need to figure out how to cross this one." He beckons to the water. "Or rather, this lack of one."

Braydon grins. "No sweat. Kappaquarius will get us across in a heartbeat." He pulls out a Pokéball.

As they prepare to cross the water, something is watching them from behind the trees. A closer look reveals that it's Velocivity standing stoically as it observes them from afar.

But Velocivity isn't alone. A heavily silhouetted figure of a person stands next to it. In a deep and labored voice, the figure says, "Well, Velocivity, my friend. We must hope that your chosen champion can come through for us. The time of reckoning has come."

It's Solgaleo!

Matori approaches Giovanni's desk. "Sir, I have sent dispatch orders to Butch, Cassidy, Jessie, James, and Meowth. All via Delibird, so as to not be intercepted by Team Planetary."

Giovanni turns his chair to face her. He strokes his Persian as he says, "Excellent. Team Planetary has controlled Tenno for far too long. It is time for a change of ownership. It is time for Team Rocket to come to power in the one region in the world that has resisted it for so long. It is time to begin our play."

Matori pushes her glasses up slightly. "Shall I activate the Matori Matrix, sir?"

Giovanni grins. "No. Deploy the Giovanni Garrison."

Matori joins Giovanni in his grin. "It would be my pleasure." She promptly turns and exits the room.

With her gone, Giovanni turns away again and looks out the window behind his desk. As speaks aloud as he continues to per Persian, "Yes. The Giovanni Garrison. The ultimate enforcers of Team Rocket. The greatest of the great, all gathered together on one unstoppable unit." He chuckles menacingly. "Team Planetary won't know what hit them. Within three days, Tenno will be mine."

Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Braydon walk out from the water. They're soaking wet, but Kappaquarius got them across as Braydon promised. He recalls his Pokémon to its Pokéball. The island they're on is only about a hundred feet across with a few trees and bushes. A rock formation rises out of the center. Team Planetary's boat is on the shore, but they are nowhere in sight.

Brenda asks, "Where's Team Planetary? They have to be here. There's nowhere for them to be hiding."

Braydon shakes his head. "No, there's one place. Remember the entrance to Showakusei's chamber in Crater Cave?"

Brock recalls, "The entrance was disguised by an illusion of a rock wall."

Ash walks up to the rock formation. "And if this really is Suisei's home, then it might be disguised in the same way." He reaches forward and his hand passes right through the seemingly solid rock. He grins. "Perfect."

Brock suggests, "Team Planetary could be right on the other side. Let's all pass through at the same time."

The others nod in agreement. Braydon holds up one finger. Then two. Then three. On the third finger, they step forward.

On the other side of the wall, they find themselves in a cave chamber made of crystalline ice. Team Planetary fills the room. In the center of the chamber is Suisei. The Legendary Pokémon shouts in pain, "Suuuuuui!"

Surrounding Suisei are several grunts and their Psychic-Type Pokémon, who are being used to bind the Legendary Pokémon. A Grand Meteoric Shard has already been deposited into a containment pod, and another sits open, ready for Suisei. Cosmo and Sirius watch the process from the opposite side of the room.

Ash looks at Suisei, who looks back at him with pleading eyes. Ash is suddenly assaulted by mental images of Ryusei and Showakusei being captured by Team Planetary.

Ash gasps and says to himself, "It's pleading for my help…" He shouts, "Team Planetary! Stop!"

Cosmo shouts back, "You! Why must it always be you!?"

Ash steps forward. "Because I'm someone who refuses to stand by so long as there is evil in this world!"

"When will you get it through your dense head!? We are not the—!"

Sirius steps in front of Cosmo and cuts him off. "I was warned that you children might try to interfere. You will not stand in the way of Team Planetary. Suisei is already ours."

Brenda shouts, "Suisei doesn't belong to anyone! Least of all, you!"

Ash looks down to Suisei. "Don't worry, Suisei, we'll get you free!" Through its struggling, Suisei manages to glance up at Ash. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

Cosmo is pulling out a Pokéball, but Sirius asserts, "No, continue overseeing. I'll take care of the children myself." He throws a Pokéball and sends out a Gigastar, which floats forward and intercepts Pikachu's electricity with fire.

"Electro Ball!"

"Solar Flare!"

The two new attacks collide once again and explode. It is clear that Sirius and Gigastar will not let Pikachu through.

Brock, Brenda, and Braydon also pull out Pokéballs and enter the fight. They send out Meteorfight, Wispirit, and Kappaquarius. Several grunts and their Pokémon break off from capturing Suisei to battle.

In the corridor of a hallway, there's an explosion that blasts out of a door. Several Planetary Grunts flee from the room. One straggler isn't able to escape before a Pokémon lunges at her and pins her against the opposite wall. The Pokémon is Mega Solurtle. Next out of the room is Solurtle's trainer, the Pokémon trainer Brandon.

The grunt pleads, "Please, let me go."

Brandon doesn't look to be in a merciful mood. He demands, "Where are your Meteoric Shards? The Planetary database says there should be five shards at this research lab, but I'm not finding any."

The grunt gulps nervously. "Th-that's t-top secret."

"Do I look like I respect your secrets?"

"No…"

Solurtle opens its mouth, revealing a fire burning inside.

"So, unless you're feeling particularly cold right now, I suggest you answer my question."

She gulps again. Seeing fire in Solurtle's mouth grow larger, she finally answers, "Okay, fine. All Meteoric Shards in Team Planetary possession were to be transported to headquarters in Kanaveral City within the next three days for Project Architect."

"Project Architect? What's that? All of my searches in the Planetary database, and I've never heard of it."

The grunt seals her lips and refuses to say anything further.

"Three days you say…that would line up with the launch of the Space Shuttle Rayquaza. I knew there was more to that mission than they were saying!" Brandon starts to walk away. "Come on, Solurtle. We've got a rocket to catch."

Solurtle takes one last glance at the grunt, ceases its preparation for a fire attack, and drops her. It follows its trainer out as the grunt pants with relief on the floor.

As they walk away, Brandon says to himself, "Project Architect? Could this be Team Planetary's endgame? Is this why they've been stockpiling Meteoric Shards?" He pauses. "And what, if anything, does it have to do with Team Interplanetary's plans with Schwarzsfield?" He stops before exiting the building. "Chris…I hope you're safe. If Team Planetary is about to enact their master plan, we're all in danger…"

"Pikachu, use Iron Tail!"

"Chu, pika!" Pikachu launches itself at Sirius' Gigastar to attack with its tail.

"Stop it in its tracks! Overheat!"

"Gigaaaaas!" Gigastar launches a wave of intense heat from its body, scorching Pikachu as it moves in close.

"Pikaaaaa!" Pikachu falls to the ground. The icy floor likely gives it some relief.

"Back up and use Thunderbolt!"

"Pikaaaaa chuuuuuuuu!

"Solar Flare!" The two attacks collide. "Follow up with Photonic Impact!" The explosion from the colliding attacks has barely faded and a harsh light surrounds Gigastar. The Pokémon throws itself at Pikachu.

"Out of the way, Pikachu!" Pikachu runs to the side, but Gigastar is so large, that it makes dodging difficult. Gigastar hits its mark, and Pikachu crashes into a nearby ice pillar.

Sirius crosses his arms and announces sternly. "Give up. I am the senior Commander of Team Planetary. You have no chance in battle against me, just as you have no chance in stopping Team Planetary."

Ash swipes a hand outward for emphasis as he shouts, "Never! We will never give up! What Team Planetary is doing is wrong! We will not allow it to go any further!"

"Then you are a fool who will fail. Gigastar, Overheat!"

Cosmo watches the battle from the opposite side of the chamber. He thinks, He is a fool. An idealistic fool, who has no idea of the harsh realities of this world. He is ignorant and naïve. If he knew the full scope of the truth of this world, he would not fight us so. He is… He finishes his thought under his breath, "Just like Father…"

Cosmo isn't the only one watching events unfold. Elsewhere in the chamber, the same obscured figure from before stands vigil. He says to himself, "I could step out and turn the tide of battle right now, but it would ruin everything. The time is not right for me to reveal myself." He pauses. "I am so close…so close that it hurts. But I must wait until the time is right to reveal myself, or I risk losing everything I have worked so hard for. Everything I've gone through would have been for naught. For now, I must observe, as I have for years." Though shadows cover him, one of his eyes can be seen, as it glows an intense blue.

Ash continues to refuse to give up, though Pikachu is beginning to look worn. "Quick Attack to get close!"

Sirius, getting annoyed, commands, "Solar Flare."

Pikachu is able to use its speed to run around the attack, then continues to dash in close. "Now switch to Iron Tail!"

Pikachu leaps up. "Chu, pika!" Pikachu manages to score a hit with its tail, knocking Gigastar aside.

"Quickly! Follow up with Thunderbolt!"

"Pikaaaaa chuuuu!"

"Overheat!"

Gigastar is able to quickly recover, and it attacks back before Pikachu's move can land. Both Pokémon are too committed to their attacks to be able to avoid the other. The attacks sail past each other and each land.

"Pikaaa!"

"Gigaaas!"

As both Pokémon stand back up, they stare at each other in determination. Both are weakening, but neither are willing to give up. Their trainers stare at each other intensely as well.

Their staring match is interrupted by a grunt shouting, "Commander Sirius! We've got it! Suisei is contained!"

Ash's eyes widen. He looks to his side to see that Suisei has been forced into a containment pod, much like Ryusei and Showakusei before it. Ash can't help but have flashbacks to the moments where he failed both of them as well. "Suisei! No!"

The feintest of grins appears on Sirius' face. "As expected. Get us out of here."

Several grunts order, "Teleport!" Their Elgyem begin the teleportation process.

Ash shouts, "No! Pikachu, stop them!" Pikachu runs at Sirius to attack, who is now beginning to fade away in the blue light of the Teleport.

Sirius gives Ash a stern look. "You four have been a thorn in Team Planetary's side for far too long. That ends now. We can no longer afford to have such a rouge element. Enjoy your freedom while it lasts."

Pikachu passes straight through the teleporting Sirius, unable to land an attack.

Ash looks to what remains of Cosmo. "Cosmo! Your evil will be stopped! I won't let this stand!"

As the last of Cosmo fades away, he shakes his head in disapproval and says, "Idealistic fool…" Then he's gone. They're all gone.

Ash shouts in rage as he kicks a chunk of ice broken free by the battle. "Aaaaaah! Not again! Why does it always end this way!? Why do I always fail!? Why!?"

Brenda steps up to Ash and puts a hand on his shoulder. "We'll get them, Ash. We'll stop Team Planetary, and we'll rescue the Cosmic Guardians. We won't stop until we do."

Ash agrees, "No. We won't."

Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Braydon have exited Suisei's chamber and stand on the island. Everyone is speechless as they attempt to determine their next move.

Brock shakes his head. "There's one thing that's bugging me. What did Sirius mean when he said to enjoy our freedom while it lasted?" From his pocket, his Pokéssistant starts ringing. "Huh?" He takes it out and answers. "Hello?" He listens to the person on the other end, then hands the phone to Brenda. "It's for you."

Brenda takes it. "Hello."

Her mom is on the other side. "Brenda? What's going on? I'm scared."

"What do you mean, Mom?"

"Sweetie, put on the news."

Brenda asks Brock, "Can you put a news feed on this thing?"

Brock nods. He takes the Pokéssistant back and taps it several times. A hologram display appears.

It shows a press conference in Kanaveral City. Planetary Commander Cygnus is at the front, with Sirius, Orion, and Cosmo behind her. She says, "These children, Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Braydon, are dangerous criminals who aim to subvert Team Planetary and its efforts. They seek to stop the launch of the Space Shuttle Rayquaza by any means necessary and rob the world of the good it will do. As of now, they are at the top of Tenno's most wanted list. Team Planetary makes a call to law enforcement agencies across the region to help us bring these dangerous criminals to justice." Pictures of Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Braydon are shown, with the large word "WANTED" plastered over their faces.

Brock drops the Pokéssistant in shock. Everyone is speechless.

Brenda's mom can be heard through the phone asking, "Brenda? Are you there? Please, tell me this is all a mistake. Brenda?"

Our heroes? Tenno's most wanted? The Planetary Crisis has begun…

To Be Continued…