Pokemon Learning League
A Meeting for All Times (Line Graphs)
Written By
Timothy Whitfield
(Story starts/fade-in on an over-the-horizon view of the ocean, with a few clouds in the sky, and a flock of Wingull and Pelipper flying above. Just then, a large cruise ship cuts through the water, as it sails through. Cut to the deck of the ship, where Lillie, her Vulpix, Snowy, Gladion, and their mother, Lusamine, looking out on the starboard side, as they pass by Mandarin Island North (Kumquat Island), with Gladion looking over info on the island via his Poke phone, while also looking over the city skyline.)
Gladion: Boy, it wasn't kidding about this being the largest city of the whole archipelago.
Lillie: I'd bet it has plenty of places Dad would love to visit we once we finally find him.
Lusamine: You nailed it on the head, dear. No doubt he'd enjoy himself here.
Gladion (inquisitively): Oh, how do you know that Mom?
Lusamine: Well, let's just say he was quite the eccentric one. You'd never what he would do next.
Lillie & Gladion (comprehending): Ahh.
(Just then, they look up to see a trainer riding her Pidgeot overhead, with a banner flying behind it, saying, "In four days: the Pokemon MG Studio, on Torom Island, will bring your trainer skills to all new heights! Come to the grand opening!")
Gladion (fascinated): Whoever's running this new studio must be really good.
Lillie: (She turns over to Lusamine.) What do you think, Mom? Should we go and check it out?
(Lusamine ponders the thought for a brief moment.)
Lusamine: Well, it does sound interesting, and it would be nice to stop somewhere for a while. I say let's do it.
Lillie & Gladion: Yeah!
(Lusamine goes to the ship's captain, and their ship changes course. Cross-fade/push into an exterior shot of the Cerise Lab in Vermillion City, then fade into the inside, where Ash, Pikachu, Goh, Cinderace and Chloe are coming in from Cerise Park, with empty containers of Pokemon food, feeling exhausted and winded.)
Chloe (to Goh & Ash): Why your Pokemon always seem to break out into fights, is getting ridiculous. You two need to get them under control.
Goh (agreeing): Yeah, we really should sooner or later.
Ash: Agreed. We sure don't want them to end up breaking into an all-out war.
Pikachu: Pikachu.
(They drop off the empty containers back into the kitchen/dining area, and then proceed over into the work area, where Prof. Cerise is logging in some new info into the databank. Cerise turns away from his monitor, and to the trio.)
Prof. Cerise: I see another tussle broke out at the park.
Ash: You got it, Professor, but everything's calmed down for now.
Prof. Cerise: Good. Now, I'm glad I got you all here, because I have something to show you that you might interested in.
(He pulls up a commercial for the MG Studio, and plays it.)
Ad (on the monitor): At the MG Studio, we're on a mission to create and invent new ways for Pokemon to help push the technical boundaries, but also make it easy for and on them. In four days, the MG Studio will change the face of Pokemon research. Look for us on Torom Island.
(The ad stops playing.)
Prof. Cerise: So, what do you all think?
Ash: It sounds like a cool place.
Pikachu: Pika-chu!
Goh: Yeah. We definitely should go to this studio's opening.
Chloe (hesitantly): Well…
Prof. Cerise (gently): Not to worry, Chloe. If it'll make it better for you, we can make it a family outing. What do you say?
(Chloe ponders it for a moment.)
Chloe: Okay, that'll be fine.
Prof. Cerise: Great.
(Fade in to an aerial view of Olivine City, on a partly cloudy day, with a sea breeze blowing through the area. Fade in/pan down to the exterior of a market, where Dawn, Piplup, and Iris are exiting with bags of food and potions.)
Dawn: This will definitely last us until we get to the Lake of Rage.
Iris: No doubt about it unless Team Rocket suddenly steals it.
Dawn: Yeah, but that will never happen.
(They both giggle.)
Piplup (giggling): Pip-lup.
(They start down the street, heading north, and various denizens and their Pokemon walk by, going about their business.)
Iris: So, what do you think we'll see up at this lake?
Dawn: Who knows, Iris, but I heard that a red Gyarados once evolved from there.
Iris: Really? Well, then maybe we'll see something like that.
(Just then, they pass by a restaurant, and the two stop notice a particular a flyer in the window, which reads, "The Pokemon MG Studio will bring out the best in any Pokemon unlike ever before! Opening in four days.", and displays art of a Malamar and Lopunny performing a combo of Psybeam and Water Pulse.)
Dawn (amazed): Wow, this place sounds amazing!
Piplup (agreeing): Piplup.
Iris: Yep, and you don't need to ask. We'll be there for opening day.
Dawn: Great, and besides, Lake of Rage isn't going anywhere. (beat.) So, what say we stick around Olivine for a while until then?
Iris: Sounds good to me, Dawn. (beat, then she looks towards the lighthouse at the end of the pier.) Say, let's check out the lighthouse.
Dawn: Okay.
(They head off toward the lighthouse. Cross-fade to four days later, on Torom Island, outside of the Pokemon MG Studio, with a podium set up, where everyone's gathered around: Ash, Pikachu, Gary, Goh, Chloe, Prof. Cerise, Parker, Talia, Prof. Oak, Prof. Ivy, Tracey, Prof. Juniper, Prof. Birch, Prof. Kukui, Prof. Burnet, their child, Lei, Prof. Rowan, Prof. Sycamore, Brock, Misty, May, Max, Dawn, Piplup, Iris, Haxorus, Cilan, Clemont, Bonnie, Dedenne, Lillie, Snowy, Lusamine, Gladion, Mallow, Lana, Sophocles and Kiawe, along with various. Pan right over to Lillie, Mallow and Lana as they warmly hug each other.)
Lana (warmly): It's great see you again, Lillie!
Lillie: Oh, it's great to see you guys, too! How've you all been?
Mallow: Everyone's been doing great! The restaurant's been getting great business lately.
Lana: Yeah, and Eevee's really been building its strength, and getting good at surfing.
Lillie: That's amazing. Well, our cruise trip's been…
(Pan left over to Prof. Sycamore and Prof. Ivy.)
Prof. Sycamore: It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Ivy.
Prof. Ivy: Same to you, Sycamore, and please, just call me Ivy.
Prof. Sycamore: All right, then. So, Ivy, what do you specialize in?
Prof: Ivy: I mainly study how Pokemon have adapted to different regions, and how it creates specific changes in them.
Prof. Sycamore (intrigued): Fascinating.
(Pan right over to Prof. Elm & Prof. Birth chatting.)
Prof. Birch: So, have you made any breakthroughs as of late, Elm?
Prof. Elm: Well, I wouldn't call them breakthroughs, but I have been making progress on how some Pokemon compatibilities work. What have you been working on, Birch?
Prof. Birch: I'm still trying to crack the mystery on why Wurmple will sometimes evolve into a Cascoon, and other times, a Silcoon.
Prof. Elm: Oh, that's interesting.
(Pan left over to Prof. Juniper and Prof. Rowan conversating.)
Prof. Juniper: Really? That actually happened?
Prof. Rowan: Mmm-hmm, but fortunately, we were able to bring the Turtwig's behavior into line, and it got along much better after that.
Prof. Juniper: That's interesting but that's nothing. We had one incident where a Tepig got loose and almost got taken by a
Prof. Rowan: That's the thing with some Pokemon's personalities. They can be very unruly.
(Pan left over to Prof. Ivy as she bumps into Brock.)
Prof. Ivy: Oh. Hey there, Brock.
Brock (uncomfortably): Hello, Prof. Ivy
Prof. Ivy: So, how've you been?
(Brock takes in a calming deep breath and calmly exhales.)
Brock (gradually warms up): Oh, I've been doing well. I'm studying to become a Pokemon doctor.
Prof: Ivy: That's great, and I'm sure you've been putting your breeder's skills to good use.
Brock: Got that right. (beat.) So, how's the lab been doing?
Prof. Ivy: It's been going fine. Faith, Hope and Charity have been doing a great job keeping things shipshape. Listen, about what happened between us…
Brock: Hey, not to worry about it. I've long since moved on from that. Besides, what's done is done.
Prof. Ivy: Oh, good. (beat.) So, if we have any medical problems we can't figure out, we'll be sure to call you up.
Brock: That would be terrific.
(Pan right over to Ash, Pikachu, and Serena.)
Ash: So, how've the contests been going for you?
Serena (confidently): Have a look for yourself.
(She pulls out her Sinnoh ribbon case and shows all five ribbons inside.)
Ash: That's awesome!
Serena: You better believe it, and we're more than ready for the upcoming Grand Festival.
Ash: Great to hear! Good luck with that.
Serena: Thanks, Ash.
(The two exchange an affirmatory handshake. Pan left over to Iris, Haxorus, Dawn, Piplup, Clemont, Bonnie and Dedenne.)
Clemont (to Dawn and Iris): It's nice to meet you both. I'm Clemont, and this here is Bonnie.
Bonnie: That's right, and this is Dedenne.
Dedenne: Dede.
Dawn (cutely): Oh, Dedenne's so adorable.
(She gently strokes Dedenne on the head.)
Dedenne (happily): Dede.
Bonnie: Thanks, Dawn, and so is your Piplup.
(She gently pats Piplup on his head. Pull back to Iris, Haxorus, and Clemont)
Iris: Your sister's pretty adorable.
Clemont: She certainly is. (beat.) So, Iris, I see that you're a dragon trainer.
Iris: Yep. When Haxorus and I battle, we are nobody to mess with.
Clemont (knowingly): I can tell.
(Just then, the clock chimes at noon, and everyone turns their attention to the podium as the Mission Guides: Ada, Diana, Lex, Quinn and Siara exit from the building, and get into their positions as they step up and give a graceful bow to the crowd.)
Siara: Welcome everyone, to the grand opening of the MG Studio. I'm Siara.
Lex: My name's Lex.
Diana: I'm Diana.
Quinn: Hello, I'm Quinn.
Ada: And I'm Ada.
Siara: Before we get started, we just want to say we are very honored to have you all attend the grand opening. It means a whole lot to us.
Prof. Oak: Hey, it's no problem at all. It is exciting to see something new being done, and I bet that's what you're planning to do with the studio.
Quinn: You got it, Prof. Oak. We're hoping to help new trainers advance their training abilities and show how to further strengthen between them, their Pokemon and others.
Ada: Yep, and as you saw from our ads, we also intend on creating new ways to make life easier for both Pokemon and people alike.
Lex: And let's not forget for inspiring the arts.
Prof. Elm: Pardon me, but how exactly do you intend to do so. Do you have ideas in mind?
Diana: Better than that. Come on inside, and see for yourself what we've done so far.
(Everyone follows the MGs inside the studio, but as the door closes behind them, we pull back/switch P.O.V to binoculars viewing every. Switch P.O.V. to Team Rocket viewing the whole event from a tree, as well as listening via a special spy microphone.)
Meowth: Lucky thing we always find the right tree to spy on the twerps from.
Jessie: Yep. That studio's sure to have some valuable inventions & Pokemon worth for the taking.
James: That's right, except for one thing.
Jessie: Oh, what's that?
James: How can we be sure they're actually worth stealing? For all we know, they could be no different than what we usually build.
Meowth: Who knows, but we'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it.
Jessie: Yeah, and plus, just imagine what the boss will think of the gadgets we'll bring to the organization if they're truly valuable.
James: Hmm, fair point there. He'll sure to be impressed and give us all a promotion.
Meowth: Yeah, and I've got just the plan to pull it off. Listen up.
(Meowth motions to Jessie & James to leans in as he whispers the plan to them.)
James: Ooh, sounds great to me.
Jessie: I love it.
Meowth: Now, enough dawdling. Let's get to it!
All: Yeah!
(Just then, Wobbuffet pops in from screen right.)
Wobbuffet: Wobbuffet.
Jessie: Oh, quit interrupting our good moments, will you?
(She calls it back to its Pokeball. Cut to the interior of the studio, in the main lobby, featuring some of the group's latest works at the center of it: a life-size statue of Haxorus, blueprints for a backup generator powered by water, a replica of a phone-esque device called a Pokepilot, animation cels and an image of a special Pokemon training course.)
Prof. Kukui: I must say, you five have done quite a bit for yourselves.
Ada: Thank you, Prof. Kukui but this only just the beginning for us.
(Just then, Serena eyeballs the Pokepilot.)
Serena: Say, what sort of phone is this supposed to be?
Siara: Ahh, this little baby is what we call the Pokepilot. Just watch what it can do.
(She gets out a real Pokepilot from her pocket, turns it on, and shows some of the features, from a friendship checker, a digital clock, to a dowsing machine and a dossier of many of their documents.)
Dawn (skeptically): So, it's sort of a hybrid of the Poketch and a video phone?
Siara: Oh, it's more than just that.
(She switches on the video projector and it displays the friendship tracker. Then, Siara changes the projector to a vertical position, adjusts it and it produces a digital display.)
All (except the Profs., impressed): Wow!
Siara: That's right, and if more than one person needs to see…
(She extends it up more and enlarges the projection. Now, she opens the music file and plays a rock and roll tune.)
Ada: Oh yeah, and in case you're wondering…
(Ada, Diana, Lex and Quinn whip out their own Pokepilots.)
May: That is so awesome!
Lex: Yep, and we have plenty more made, but we'll save that for later. For now, allow us to show you our offices.
(The quint show them where their offices are, and as soon as they're out of ear shot, we pull back to see Team Rocket peeking through the glass doors, at the displays in the lobby.)
Jessie: Now, that's something beneficial for us and the boss.
James: Yes, and will surely benefit the organization and us.
(Just then, a Pelipper with a full bill comes flying to them.)
Jessie: As always, at just the right time.
(The Pelipper unloads the Rocket Gatcha from its bill, and then flies off. Jessie and James each twist the knob and get a Pokeball.)
Jessie & James: Go!
(They throw the balls into the air, and… Weezing and Arbok emerge from them, along with slips, showing their specific move sets.)
Arbok: Charbok!
Weezing: Weezing!
(Jessie and James catch the slips as stare at Weezing & Arbok in a trance-like state, while their eyes slightly widen a bit.)
Jessie (fondly): Arbok.
James (also fondly): Weezing.
Meowth (knowingly): Well, it was bound to happen eventually.
(Push in on James and Jessie's faces, and cross-fade to a flashback the various battles and memories they had with their original Arbok and Weezing, up until their release in Hoenn. Fade back to the present day, and James and Jessie snap out of their trance and exchange a gleeful smile to one another.)
James: This'll be just like old times.
Jessie: Oh, yeah.
James: All right, then let's get on with the plan.
Meowth: Yeah, time to get the show on the road!
All: Yeah!
(Wobbuffet pops in from center screen.)
Wobbuffet: Wobbuffet.
(The trio go around to the back and head up to the roof. Cut back to the inside, where everyone's strolling through the corridor.)
Goh: So, what exactly goes on in your offices?
Quinn: Oh, we think you'll find our offices will very much speak for themselves.
(Now, a montage goes on, with the group being shown each of the MG's offices, with the first one being Siara's, in a right panning shot, featuring: awards for the best invention, sports memorabilia for the Nimbasa Zebstrikas & sporting certificates, blueprints for various gadgets and inventions, failed inventions enshrined in cases and replicas of various fantasy-based objects. Stop at Siara going over to one of her past failed gadgets: A charred-up mini flamethrower resembling Delphox's fire wand.)
Siara: …with this one, I was attempting to create a more convenient way to make a campfire, and thought it'd be cool to make it a wand stick. Unfortunately, it was too combustible and caught fire.
May: Oh, and what was the mistake this one had?
Siara (embarrassed): I didn't think to add in an internal cooling system nor a time limit on it, but I made sure to add those to the next model.
Clemont (understanding): Yeah, that'll happen a lot
Siara: More than one can imagine.
(She turns their attention to a more recent invention, an attack deflective/reflective shield resembling a barrier wall.)
Prof. Rowan: What exactly is this shield meant for?
Siara: Ahh, this is the Barrier Shield, meant to help increase a Pokemon defensive abilities, and yeah, as you can tell, I'm a big fantasy nut.
(Fade into four minutes, on a left panning shot of Ada's office, showcasing: various blueprints of different buildings, including the studio itself, & machines, different colored martial arts belts, ribbon cases filled up with lots of contests ribbons she won over time and a Ribbon cup, autographed baseballs, soccer balls and ping pong paddles. Stop at where Ada is showcasing to everyone early blueprints and layouts for the whole studio.)
Ada: …we had different ideas for the look of the building. One that'd perfectly convey who we were.
Chloe: What sort of ideas?
Ada: Well, we initially thought about having it resemble an actual Pokemon gym, but then we quickly realized people might mistaken it for an official one, so that one was out.
(She swaps the blueprints with another set, one that made the building more like a school.)
Ada: Then, we tried one that was more like a Pokemon school, which was a step in the right direction, but we felt it should have more of a casual and fun atmosphere. (beat.) Not that there aren't any fun Pokemon schools out there, don't get me wrong.
Sophocles: Don't worry. We get it.
Ada: Anyways…
(She puts the school blueprint to the side and gets out a third set, one that looks closer to the building's final look.)
Ada: Finally, we settled with a sort of hybrid between a studio and a recreation center, which was perfect. Plus, it gives off the vibe of, "This is who we are."
Ash: Oh, it certainly does.
Pikachu: Pika-chu.
(Cross-fade to another three minutes later, where they're now in Lex's office, decked out with drawings & sketches, paintings, poems, Pokemon maquettes, models of sci-fi spaceships, weapons, sentai figures and robots. Stop at where he's showing some of the maquettes of Pokemon he's sculpted.)
Cilan: Exactly how do you go about, building the movable parts?
Lex: It's a bit complex. I first build up the skeletal structures, which will act as the bones, then test their flexibilities. Next, I mold out the skin with flexible materials, then from there put on the fur or feathers flexible, color them and put the skin over the skeletons. Then, Siara and I put in the program that'll make each part move as it should. It's a lot of difficult work, but it's also exciting.
Prof. Juniper: I can imagine it is, especially since you're going for full-size models.
Lex: Yep, but they always look awesome in the end.
(Fade-in to five minutes later, on a panning shot of Diana's office, showing: an animation desk and software, various Pokemon training items, exercise equipment, a training regimen/schedule, a z-ring, various film & animation awards adorned on the wall & shelves, and some research findings on the dynamax phenomenon. Stop at where Diana is presenting an animated simulation.)
Diana: …, as it's much easier to get an idea of how it'll look working properly. Have a look at this:
(She presents some animations of an energy absorber and how it's meant to function: absorbing about every type of energy-based Pokemon attacks, and stores the information.)
Prof. Elm: Ahh, that is a good & effective way of testing out a new project.
Diana: You bet, and it's also much more interesting and fun.
Quinn: Not to mention, a lot easier to catch a mistake this way.
Diana: Oh, yeah. That's right.
(Cross-fade to another five minutes later, on a panning shot of Quinn's office, showcasing: his own animation desk and software, Pokemon exercise items equipment, electric guitars, music sheets with original rock 'n roll compositions. Pan stops at Quinn explaining to the group how they know what stat their Pokemon need to improve on.)
Quinn: …and we break down which stat needs to be worked on, and let the Pokemon train on that part of the course, and move on from there.
Brock: So, with the sort of Pokemon you train, you probably get a few tough cases.
Quinn: Right on the head, Brock. Some of them put up quite the resistance, and needed the right coaching, or sometimes the right incentive.
(Montage concludes with the MG's everyone arriving in the training area, comprising of an elaborate indoor obstacle course, with automatic attack deflectors and absorbers, as well as motion trackers & sensors, and digital charts on the wall.)
Prof: Birch: My, this is quite an elaborate training course you've built here.
Diana: Thank you, Prof. Birch. We ensure that the Pokemon here have a great time while getting the most out of their training.
Ada: Mmm-hmm, and we devised an easy way to track their daily progress.
(She turns their attention over a digital line graph chart on the wall, with a registered record of their last training session.)
Ada: Pretty simple. Every time the Pokemon land a hit or finish the course, their progress will get automatically recorded here, which you can see, we had an off day yesterday.
Misty: Yeah, we get you there, (curiously) but what made using line graphs ideal for the course?
Ada: Well, it's much better if I show you why.
(She whips out her Pokepilot from her pocket, switches it on, flips through it and pulls up their recorded line graphs from her Lopunny's session on the course.)
Ada: Now, you all know how a line graph works: you start it off with a large cross in the center, representing the x and y-axes, then you label both with the variables they represent, and from there, you identify the range of data you have, and then decide on the units every line represents for each variable.
(The line graph, tracking Lopunny's special defensive training session, gets plotted up and down the graph gets as she speaks.)
Goh: That's pretty good, but wouldn't it get confusing after a while, since you have you keep track of each stat?
Ada: Ahh, there's an easy solution for that: we use different charts, assigned them different colored lines or use different lines entirely for each stat, and also title each chart. Pretty straightforward.
Brock: Well, when you put it like that, line graphs are definitely useful.
Ada: Exactly. So, how about a quick Q&A round?
Iris: Sure, why not.
Ada: Good.
(She pulls up four line graphs from past training sessions, but different sections on each are blurred out.)
Ada: Well, you ready to do it?
May: You bet.
Ada: Good. First, Lopunny dodged every attack well, but it was significantly less than it was three minutes earlier. Where does the data point go on the graph?
Ash: Oh, right here.
(He points to the spot at 57, 35, and it gets revealed.)
Ada: You got it, Ash. Next, it blocked and deflected all the Rock Blast in just sixteen minutes. Where does that data go?
Serena: Right over here.
(She points to the spot at 92, 16, and is revealed.)
Ada: All right, Serena. Now, Lopunny landed its Double Kicks in the fastest amount of time it's ever done in just nine minutes at that point. Where does the data go?
Iris: It goes right here.
(She points to the spot at 37, 5, and is revealed.)
Ada: Great, Iris. Finally, Lopunny registered the third strongest Water Pulse attack on that day. Where does the data go?
Kiawe: Right about here.
(He points to the spot at 61, 20 and is revealed.)
Ada: Very good, Kiawe. Not a bad job there, guys.
Ash: Thanks, Ada.
(She switches off the Pokepilot, and places it back in her pocket.)
Max (to the ): Say, can you guys show how to do the course?
Quinn: Oh, better than that. You can all try it out for yourselves.
Dawn: Awesome!
(Everyone breaks off into different sections of the course, leading into a training montage, from Dawn telling Piplup to use Drill Peck against a solid glass mirror, Pikachu swiftly evading energy blasts from one of the energy reflectors and Ash commanding him to deflect some with a Thunderbolt, to Iris helping Excadrill to hone the accuracy of its Focus Blast, and Brock and Graveler punching, all while automatically registering their progress on the line. Cross-fade to twenty minutes later where they switch sections, and do so three more times. It concludes at an hour and a half later, where everyone's in the dining area, sitting around for a big brunch. Ada and Lex come out of the kitchen was trayful of food: onigiri, fruit salad, lasagna, smoothies, beet salad and roast beef sandwiches, and lay them out for everyone. Lex and Ada take their seats and everyone starts eating. Pull/fade-in to Misty & Chloe chatting.)
Chloe: Misty, your Starmie was terrific, sending all of those blasts back like that.
Misty: Yeah. We've been training really hard it'll no longer get knocked out in one hit.
Chloe (intrigued): Really?
Misty: Yeah, no joke. It used to happen every time it battled, and it was just plain embarrassing. I mean, it's supposed to be pretty strong.
Chloe: No question about that.
(Pan right over to Max and Iris, as Iris gives Haxorus some more Pokemon food.)
Iris: You've earned it, Haxorus, after how you've been stepping it up recently.
Max: Hey Iris, how long have you been Unova champion?
Iris: Well Max, believe it or not, it actually hasn't been too long.
Max (curiously): Really?
Iris: Mmm-hmm. Before then, when Haxorus was an Axew, we were out on a long journey, getting a lot of much needed training in, (embarrassed) which was really my own fault for putting it off for so long.
Max: Oh.
(beat.)
Iris: But it was all worth it.
Max: Well, judging by how strong Haxorus looks, it certainly was.
(Pan right over to Clemont & Gladion.)
Gladion (to Clemont): I see
Clemont: Yep, but then, as soon as Ash's Goodra used Rain Dance, its hydration ability kicked in, and its paralysis was gone, and it was all nonstop from there.
Gladion: I get you there, Clemont. It's very much like how it came down to his Lycanroc and mine.
Clemont: In the end, it was one of the most intense gym battles I had in a while, and the most fun.
Gladion (knowingly): No question about that.
(Pan left over to Lex & Siara conversing with Prof. Rowan & Prof. Juniper.)
Prof. Rowan: I'm sure you five will have your work cut out in the future.
Siara: Sure, we might get some tough cases in the future, but we will rise to the occasion.
Prof. Juniper: I hope you don't mind of I ask this, but what inspired you five to start up this studio in order to do it?
Lex: Easy: we wanted to be a place where we could work together under one roof, and ensure that everyone has a good time while they're here.
Prof. Juniper: Ahh, that's a good and noble thing to do.
(Fade in to seventeen minutes later, where they're mid-way through their meals, but Goh, Dawn and Sophocles put their forks down, and push their beet salad to the side.)
Lex (to Sophocles, Dawn and Goh): Is there something wrong with the beet salad?
(Cut over to Dawn, Goh, and Sophocles.)
Sophocles: No, nothing at all. I'm not too crazy about it.
Goh: Yeah, me neither.
Dawn: Same here. Please don't take it the wrong way.
(Cut over to Lex.)
Lex (reassuring): Hey, not to worry. We all have different tastes. Plus, you at least gave it a try.
Goh: Thank you, Lex.
Lex: Not a problem.
(Cut over to Siara.)
Siara: Oh guys, I almost forget. After lunch, we have a special surprise for all.
(Just then, a voice calls out from outside.)
Agusten (V.O., via megaphone): Attention, all Torom Island citizen. Please come out to the town square for an important meeting.
Prof. Oak: Hmm, wonder what it could be about?
Siara: Let's go find out.
(Everyone gets up from their seats and head outside. Cut to the outside, on the roof, with Team Rocket readying to break in, when they catch the announcement.)
James: What do you think, Jessie? Should we go see what the ruckus is about?
Jessie: All right, but we better be quick about it, while the twerps are distracted.
Meowth: Yeah, and besides, we'll be closer to getting those plans, anyway.
(Wobbuffet pops in from lower left.)
Wobbuffet: Wobbuffet.
(They run across to the other side of the roof. Cut to the town to the town square, where a podium is set up in the center, with two banners brandishing the old Plasma logo, and every townsfolk gathers around at the square. Six people, dressed in Team Plasma uniforms, step and take their spots on either side of the podium. Cut to Ash, Pikachu, Iris, Axew, and Cilan giving a worried look.)
Iris, Ash and Cilan (concerned): Uh-oh.
Pikachu (also concerned): Pika.
Haxorus (also concerned): Hax.
(Cut back to the podium, where their leader, Agustin, a long-haired brunette dressed in a more formal executive wardrobe, steps up and stands in front of the microphone.)
Agustin: Good to see you all taking the time to see what we've got in store. To start off, I'm Agustin, and as you can clearly see, Team Plasma has officially reformed.
(The entire crowd gasps in shock. Pull back to the studio rooftop, where Jessie, James & Meowth are listening in and watching through their binoculars.)
Jessie: Oh, great. Now we'll have to deal with some Unova competition again.
James: I don't know, Jessie. They don't seem like the same team they were last time.
Meowth: Yeah, he's got a point there.
Jessie: True, but even still, let's watch out for them. Now, while they're all busy…
James & Meowth: Yeah.
(They head over to the top windows. Cut back to the crowd, with Ash & Co.)
Goh: Who is this Team Plasma?
Ash (quietly): They're an evil group that once tried to take control of Reshiram and almost took over all of Unova.
Pikachu (agreeing): Pikachu.
Goh (getting it): Ahh.
Iris: Yep, but Ash & Pikachu were able to thwart them and save everyone.
Haxorus (agreeing): Haxorus.
(Cut back over to Agustin.)
Agustin: Look, we understand your concerns, given what happened in the past, but rest assure, we have no desire to conquer Unova. Just to prove it…
(He and the other grunts present their Pokeballs and place them on the ground, next to their feet. The crowd quiets down.)
Agustin: Now, we've come here today to ask you all something very important: are some of your Pokemon actually happy being trained & living with you?
(The crowd murmurs inquisitively. Cut to Dawn & Serena.)
Dawn: Well, that's such a silly question to ask.
Serena: Yeah, why wouldn't they be happy being with us?
(Cut back over to the podium.)
Agustin: While yes, there are many that are truly happy, but have you considered that the others may be feeling oppressed? They do spend a long time in their Pokeballs when not battling, after all, and probably don't get a whole lot of personal time.
Nurse Joy: Hey, they don't always spend time inside their balls.
Prof. Oak: That's right. We make sure they get plenty of exercise and they're properly provided with all they need to live.
Agustin: Ahh, you're absolutely correct. However, it all pales in comparison to getting them straight from the source. Plus, they don't all share the same sentiment, and they could be feeling stifled from the way they're being trained. As far as they're concerned, if they ever want to reach their full potential and live happy lives, they want to be back in the wild, and who are we to deny them that? We all want what's best for them and for them to live happily, right? So, maybe they should released back out into their natural environment and fully flourish.
(The crowd starts murmuring to themselves, pondering at the thought of releasing their Pokemon.)
Agustin: Now, no need to be hasty about your decisions. I'm sure you'll make the correct choice for your Pokemon. Thank you all for your time.
(Agustin steps down from the podium. Cross-fade to six minutes later, where the group are arriving back at the studio entrance.)
Dedenne (concerned): Dede.
(Bonnie gently strokes Dedenne on the head).
Bonnie (reassuring): Not to worry, Dedenne. Not after every adventure we've had.
Ash: Yeah, you said it, Bonnie.
Pikachu (agreeing): Pikachu.
Prof. Ivy: That's good to hear, because though Agustin did raise some valid points, releasing all the Pokemon is not the right way to do it.
Oak: No question about it, and with a few exceptions, Pokemon could almost never ascend to that kind of level of power and strength without the kind of bond they develop with their trainers. Not to mention, some wouldn't have the proper battle skills to survive.
Brock: Don't forget the Pokemon who need strong bonds & friendships in order to evolve. That we would never forsake.
Prof. Birch: Right, Brock, and besides, all anyone's really got to do is change up their training routine.
Diana: Well, I think we've all had enough of that. Let's get back and finish lunch.
(Everyone heads back inside. Cut to Team Rocket scrounging around Siara's office, pulling and laying out various blueprints of different inventions on the table, but Jessie overhears the group in the hallway.)
Jessie (hushed): Hurry up. The twerps are almost here.
James: Come on, Meowth. Let's hustle it up.
(James whips out the Rotom Phone and snaps pictures of the blueprints, rolls them back up, and then proceeds to pick four of them up.)
Meowth: Hold up, hold up, I just had a thought. What say we give them our own pleasant introductions before we leave?
Jessie: Oooh, good idea.
James: Besides, those newbies should know about our presence, anyway.
(Wobbuffet pops in from screen left.)
Wobbuffet: Wobbuffet.
(The trio snicker sneakily. Cut out to the hallway, as the group comes up to Siara's office.)
Siara: Hold on, guys, let me just get my bag out of here.
(She turns to her office, but just as she opens the door, a smoke ball drops from the ceiling and explodes, releasing a cloud of black smoke that envelops the whole room. Team Rocket appear from behind the smoke in their standard poses.)
Ash & Co: Team Rocket!
Jessie: Ahh, so nice of you to drop in.
James: Yes, you didn't think you'd go one day without us, did you?
Ash: You're about to steal their blueprints, aren't you?
Meowth: Right on the head, twerp. You know, you're not as dense as you make yourself out to be.
Diana: Is the talking Meowth a normal thing?
Brock: Yeah, but you get used to it after a while.
James: Now, if you'll excuse us, we have some blueprints to deliver.
Ash: Well, not if we have anything to say about it!
Jessie: Then, you better prepare yourselves for trouble!
James: And while you're at it, make that double!
Jessie: To protect the world from devastation!
James: To unite all peoples within our nations!
(Cut over to Lex and Serena.)
Lex: Do you guys have to put up with that every time?
Serena: Unfortunately yes, (snarky) but it's nothing to worry about. It's not really all that impressive.
(Cut back to Team Rocket.)
Jessie: To denounce the evils of truth and love!
James: To extend our reach to the stars above!
Jessie: Jessie!
James: James!
(As the trio goes on with the motto, Iris, Haxorus, Dawn, Piplup, Clemont and Brock sneak around them and get the blueprints off the desks, while Siara grabs her bag off the chair.)
Jessie: Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!
James: Surrender now or prepare to fight!
(Meowth leaps in from lower center screen.)
Meowth: Meowth, that's right!
(Wobbuffet pops up from center screen.)
Wobbuffet: Wobbuffet!
Jessie: Now, what say we cut to the chase where we battle it out?
James: Yeah, you know us well, by now.
Ash: That's just what we were thinking. Pikachu, go!
Pikachu: Pika!
(He jumps off Ash's shoulder and takes his battle stance.)
Goh: Let's go, Cinderace!
Cinderace: Cin-der!
(He take his battle stance.)
James: Let's show them what we got, Weezing!
(He throws the Pokeball and Weezing emerges from it.)
Weezing: Weezing!
Jessie: Arbok, show 'em what you got!
(She throws the ball and Arbok emerges forth.)
Arbok: Charbok!
Jessie: Arbok, Ice Fang, now!
Arbok: Char!
(Its mouth gets covered in light blue icy energy, then lunges at Pikachu.)
Ash: Pikachu, dodge and use Thunderbolt!
Pikachu: Pika!
(He leaps up backwards and evades Arbok's bite.)
Pikachu: Pika-chuuuu!
(He fires a powerful yellow electrical bolt from his body at Arbok, dealing it damage.)
James: Weezing, use your Sludge Bomb!
Weezing: Weezing. Weee…
(It fires multiple brown sludge globs from its mouth at Cinderace, dealing him damage.)
Goh: Cinderace, counter with Blaze Kick!
Cinderace: Cinder!
(Its feet get shrouded in red-orange flames and kicks Weezing, inflicting damage.)
Jessie: Arbok, use Mud Bomb!
Arbok: Char!
(It fires a large brown mud ball from its mouth at Cinderace, inflicting damage.)
James: Weezing, Heat Wave now!
Weezing: Weezing.
(It opens its mouth, forms an orange fire ball inside it, and fires a wind of flames at Pikachu, dealing him damage.)
Ash: Pikachu, Iron Tail!
Pikachu: Pika!
(He jumps into the air, his tail gets shrouded in white sparkles, which then converts into a white outline and transforms to iron.)
Pikachu: Chuuuuuu, Pika!
(He does a back flip and swings it at Weezing, inflicting damage.)
Goh (encouraging): Come on, Cinderace, use Double Kick!
(Cinderace jumps into the air and kicks Arbok twice, dealing it damage.)
James: Weezing, use Smokescreen!
Weezing: Weezing, Wee! Wee…
(It releases dark green smoke from the holes on its body, shrouding the whole room in a dark green smoke cloud.)
James: Now, use Heat Wave!
Jessie: Arbok, Crunch attack!
Weezing: Weezing.
(It opens its mouth, forms an orange fire ball inside it, and fires a wind of flames at Pikachu, dealing damage.)
Arbok: Charbok!
(It opens its mouth, creates teeth-shaped yellow aura, and it bites down on Cinderace, dealing him damage.)
Ash: Pikachu, use Electro Web!
Goh: Cinderace, Quick Attack!
Pikachu: Chu!
(He forms an orange-yellow electricity orb on his tail, leaps up and flings it, which then transforms into a circular yellow electrical net mid-point and ensnares Arbok inside it, dealing it damage. Up next, Cinderace's body get shrouded in a light blue aura and charges at Weezing with incredible speed, tackling it and dealing damage.)
Jessie: Don't think you're getting the upper hand just yet. Arbok, Ice Fang now!
Arbok: Charbok!
(Its mouth gets covered in light blue icy energy, then lunges at Pikachu and bites down on him, inflicting damage.)
James: Weezing, use your Sludge Bomb!
Weezing: Weezing. Weee…
(It fires multiple brown sludge globs from its mouth at Cinderace, landing a direct hit and does him damage.)
James: Now, let's use Fire Blast!
Jessie: Arbok, Gunk Shot!
Weezing: Weee…
(It fires a 大-shaped fire blast from its mouth at Pikachu, inflicting a heavy amount of damage.)
Arbok: Char!
(It fires multiple globs of sludge shrouded in a gold aura from its mouth at Cinderace, inflicting damage.)
James: Why don't you just save yourselves the trouble and give up now?
Ash: Never! Now, Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!
Pikachu: Pika! Pika-chuuuu!
(He fires a powerful bolt of yellow electricity from his body at Weezing, inflicting a lot of damage.)
Goh: Cinderace, you use Pyro Ball!
Cinderace: Cinder!
(It repeatedly kicks a rock, igniting it into a flaming soccer ball, then kicks it at Arbok, inflicting damage.)
Jessie: Arbok, use Crunch!
Arbok: Charbok!
(It opens its mouth, creates teeth-shaped yellow aura, and it lunges at Pikachu.)
James: Weezing, Sludge Bomb, now!
Weezing: Weezing. Weee…
(It fires multiple brown sludge globs from its mouth at Cinderace.)
Ash: Pikachu, dodge it, now!
Goh: You too, Cinderace!
(They both leap back out of the attacks' paths.)
Ash: Now, use Iron Tail!
Pikachu: Pika!
(He jumps into the air, his tail gets shrouded in white sparkles, which then converts into a white outline and transforms to iron.)
Pikachu: Chuuuuuu, Pika!
(He does a back flip and swings it at Arbok, inflicting damage.)
Goh: Cinderace, Blaze Kick!
Cinderace: Cinder!
(Its feet get shrouded in red-orange flames and kicks Weezing, inflicting damage.)
Jessie: Arbok, show them what you really got with your Gunk Shot!
Arbok: Char…
(It fires multiple globs of sludge shrouded in a gold aura from its mouth at Pikachu, inflicting damage.)
James: Weezing, use Fire Blast now!
Weezing: Weee…
(It fires a 大-shaped fire blast from its mouth at Cinderace, inflicting him damage.)
Ash: Pikachu, Electro Web now!
Pikachu: Chu!
(He forms an orange-yellow electricity orb on his tail, leaps up and flings it, which then transforms into a circular yellow electrical net mid-point and ensnares Weezing inside it against the wall, dealing it direct damage until Weezing slumps to the ground, knocked out.)
Goh: Cinderace, use Blaze Kick!
Cinderace: Cinder!
(Its feet get shrouded in red-orange flames and kicks Arbok, knocking it against the wall, inflicting damage and knocking it out.)
James: Don't tell us.
Jessie: It's about blast-off.
Meowth: Yep, just about.
(Wobbuffet pops in screen left.)
Wobbuffet: Wobbu.
Ash: All right Pikachu, Thunder!
Goh: Cinderace, Pyro Ball now!
Pikachu: Pika-chuuuuu!
(He unleashes a large, potent electrical bolt from his body at the trio.)
Cinderace: Cinder!
(It repeatedly kicks a rock, igniting it into a flaming soccer ball, then kicks it up multiples times, making it grow bigger, and then launches it. The electricity shrouds the ball, creating a Saturn-like ring around it, and it collides with Team Rocket, blasting them through the window and up into the sky. Cut to them soaring through the sky, but they smirk and exchange a sneaky chuckle.)
Jessie: So, do you have them?
James: Mmm-hmm, got them right here.
(He gets out the Rotom phone and swipes through pictures of the various blueprints they took out.)
Jessie: Excellent.
Meowth: Yeah, they'll make great addition to the Team Rocket arsenal. So what if the twerps got the real ones back?
James: Yes, they have no clue we still got them in the end.
(He places the phone back in his pocket, while he & Jessie also sneakily place Arbok & Weezing's Pokeballs in, as well.)
Trio: We're blasting off again!
Wobbuffet (fading away): Wobbu, Wobb!
(They fly off into the distance, and a twinkling star appears. Cut back to the studio, and the group looks over the damage done.)
Brock: Whew. Thank goodness we got all the blueprints out of the way when we did.
Goh: Yeah. (He turns over to Siara.) Sorry about your office, Siara.
Siara: Hey, it's no problem. We can fix it back up as right as rain. Besides, it had to be done, anyways. For right now, let's get back to the dining area.
(Cross-fade to thirteen minutes, where the group is back in the dining area, finishing up their meals. Fade-in to Siara finishing her sandwich, wipes her mouth off with a napkin, and puts it on her plate.)
Siara: All right, everybody. You ready to see what the big surprise we have for you is?
(She unlatches her bag, places it on the table, and opens it up to reveal… over three dozen Pokepilots.)
All (except the professors, amazed): Wow!
Lex: Yep, we figured you all would want one. This way, you all can keep in touch with us, and yourselves.
Quinn: Yep, and if you need any help or advice with something, just give us a call.
(Siara hands them out and everyone passes them out to one another, then proceed to exchange their calling numbers. Cut to Gladion scrolling through the various topics, and taking notice that they all have two Q&A rounds.)
Gladion: Hey, what's the point of having two Q&A rounds in here? Isn't that kind of redundant since we would already know these?
Quinn: Ahh very true, Max, but there's a lot to cover in some topics, and it would get tedious trying to do it all in one go. As for the others, we made sure to vary up the questions, so it won't all be the same the second time around. Plus, if you want, you can simply do it with somebody else.
Ash: Okay, but with who?
(As the quintet ponder, Ada briefly glances over to the audience.)
Ada: Well, how about doing it with them?
(She points straight ahead to the audience.)
Clemont (uncertain): Um, are you sure about that?
Mallow: Yeah, it'd be rather creepy for both us and them.
Lex: Not to worry, it doesn't have to be. All you got to do is just be casual, and treat it no differently than when you talk to or act around each other, and with great respect.
Diana: That's right, and it'll also help to not give them blank stares. Also, don't dumb down any given information.
Sophocles (getting it): Ahh, okay. We can certainly do that.
Ada: One more thing. You guys are more than welcome to visit us anytime you want. Just make sure to give us an advanced notice.
Ash: You got it, no problem.
Pikachu: Pikachu.
(Cross-dissolve to four minutes later, where the group is standing outside the entrance.)
Ada: Well, that concludes the studio tour. Thank you all for coming.
Lex: It's been great meeting you all.
Prof. Juniper: Hey, it was our pleasure.
Quinn: Oh, the next time you come visit us, trust us when we say, you never know what we'll be doing or working on.
Cilan: We'll be sure to keep that in mind.
Diana: Now, if you'll excuse us, we have an office to spruce up. Hope we see you all later.
Misty: You, too.
(Everybody waves goodbye to each other, depart from the area and split off, and then pan up to the clear blue sky. Cross-fade to four days later, on a mostly sunny sky, with a flock of Pidgey & Pidgeotto fly by. Pan down to Iris, Dawn and Piplup, back in Johto, en route through Route 42. Dawn checks the map on her Poketch.)
Dawn: Not much longer now.
Iris: Good. Whatever's in store for us at the lake, we'll be ready for it.
Piplup: Piplup.
Dawn: Oh, yeah. (beat.) Well, should we see?
Iris: Sure, why not.
(They both get out their Pokepilots from their bags. Iris dials up Lana, while Dawn calls Cilan.)
Lana: Hi, Iris.
Iris: Hey, Lana. Listen, how would you like to come check out Lake of Rage with Dawn and me? It's going to be plenty of fun.
Lana: Sure. I can make some time to come.
Iris: Oh, good.
Axew: Axew
(Pan right over to Dawn talking with Cilan.)
Dawn: So, what do you say, Cilan?
Cilan: Okay. Just let me get everything set, and I'll be with you guys in a few days.
Dawn: Great. See you then.
Piplup: Piplup.
(She & Iris switch off their Pokepilots off and put them back in their bags.)
Dawn: So, shall we hang around Mahogany Town until they come?
Iris: Hey, at this point, we'd be crazy not to do that.
Dawn: All right, then.
Piplup: Piplup.
(The two continue onward down the path, then pull up to the daytime sky with a few clouds and fade to black, ending the story.)
