Episode 132: Crossover the Rainbow

Ash and Pikachu step excitedly out from a contest hall, except Ash is wearing different clothes than expected. He wears a sleeveless blue vest with black trim over a yellow t-shirt featuring a Pokéball logo on its center front. His pants are mostly blue, though they feature flares and trims colored yellow and black. His fingerless gloves look little more detailed than usual, featuring the same black glove with yellow cuff, but also sporting a dark blue trim and a hole for ventilation on the back of the glove. His shoes are reversed of their normal color, being mainly red with a black tongue. His hat is mainly red with a white front. A design on the top of the white is made up of two green lines with several angles, giving it the vague impression of a Pokéball shape.

Ash looks down to Pikachu and asks, "Wasn't that contest cool? Too bad we don't get the chance to see too many of them."

Pikachu nods in agreement. "Pi."

Ash notices someone ahead. It's Brenda. She seems to be hesitantly staring at something ahead.

Ash approaches her and asks, "Hey, what's wrong?"

Brenda sighs. "Oh, it's nothing. I get this way every time I watch a contest. Especially when he's here." She sighs again as she looks back ahead. There is Will, walking with his Necrow. He carries a ribbon, implying he just won this contest.

Ash questions, "Why's that?"

Brenda shakes her head. "I…" She trails off, unsure of what to say. "Let's just say I have a bad history with contests. I learned the hard way that I wasn't cut out for them." She shakes her head and asks herself, "Why do I even torture myself by watching these things anyways…?" She looks back to Ash. "Sorry to trouble you. You don't need to worry about me. Come on, Kappaqua, let's go."

Visible for the first time, a Kappaqua stands at Brenda's feet. It takes one last longing look towards the contest hall, then follows Brenda away.

A girl asks, "Ash, who was that?"

Ash shrugs. "I don't know, but she was upset about something."

A boy says, "Whatever it is, it's not our concern. We should be getting back on the road."

Ash nods. "Yeah, let's go." He turns around to see his traveling companions, Verity and Sorrel. Verity carries her Piplup with her.

What a surprise! Today we join our hero, Ash, but not the same Ash we've all come to know. No, this Ash has lived a different life. The life of the Rainbow Hero. He chose Pikachu, he learned the power of us, and he has witnessed the secrets of the jungle. But despite that different life, he's still the same Ash we all know and love, and he's still on a journey through the Tenno Region, hoping to compete in the Tenno League, and to eventually become a Pokémon Master.

After a little while of traveling, Ash, Verity, and Sorrel have left the city and walk among nature. Ash is looking at his badge case, featuring the same seven gym badges that the original Ash has earned. Ash grins and says to himself, "Just one more…"

Verity asks, "Have you had any second thoughts at all about battling Neil for your final battle? Everyone keeps saying that he's so strong." She chuckles and adds mischievously, "I'm not so sure you're up for the challenge."

Before Ash can counter, Sorrel chimes in, stating coolly and logically, "If anyone's up for a challenge, it's Ash. Challenges practically sustain him." He adds, "Though, whether or not he can overcome the challenge is a different question entirely."

Resenting both of their prodding, Ash objects, "I'll take on any challenge, and I'll overcome them. That's exactly why I want to battle Neil."

Verity chuckles, "I guess we'll just have to find out."

Sorrel comments, "Though, if nothing else, I am happy for an excuse to return to Kanaveral City. It is a most fascinating place."

Verity agrees, "Yeah, Kanaveral City is great. I didn't get to see too much of it before, so I'm looking forward to going back."

Ash grins, "Remember, Kanaveral City is where we all reunited."

Verity demands, "How could I forget that? I was on a trip with my mother. She wanted to meet with the Tenno Champion. Something about 'champion business.' I may have grown closer to her recently, but that alone time with her was a little too much. Going on a journey around Tenno with you was exactly what I needed."

Sorrel adds, "And I was in Kanaveral to interview someone from Team Planetary on their recent discoveries regarding the Tenno Legendary Pokémon of the Earth and Moon. And sticking with you would give me an excuse to track down some leads I had regarding the Lightspeed Legendary Pokémon, Velocivity."

Ash teases them, "Come on guys, admit it, you just wanted to travel with me again, like the good old days."

Verity laughs. "Ha! Like I'd ever want to travel with you for just the sake of it. The first time we traveled together was because I wanted to see Ho-Oh, and this time it's because as long as I'm with you, I don't need to go back home and see mom."

Sorrel comments, "And as… enlightening as it can be traveling with you, once we track down Velocivity, I'm off to another region to find other Legendary Pokémon to study."

Ash's pride seems to be hurt. He objects, "But I'm the Rainbow Hero! It's got to be pretty cool to travel with someone legendary like that, right?"

Verity groans, "There he goes with the whole 'Rainbow Hero' thing again. Come on Ash, you met Ho-Oh, that part of your life is over. Get over it. You're just a regular kid now. No one special."

Ash crosses his arms and mutters, "Thanks guys, you're my best friends too."

Pikachu, from Ash's shoulder, nuzzles against his cheek. "Chu."

Ash smiles and pets Pikachu. "At least someone appreciates me."

Then someone shouts, "Someone, please help! The town guardian is sick! Mossolith is sick!"

Ahead of them, they see a man in distress running towards them. Sorrel asks, "Sick? What's wrong with it?"

The man answers with worry, "No one knows. But it's in pain. Great pain. That Pokémon protects our town from the wild Pokémon that live in the wilderness. They'll attack if Mossolith can't fight back! Please, do you know where I can find a doctor?"

Sorrel explains, "I'm not a doctor, but I'm studying to become a Pokémon professor. I have medical experience. Show me were Mossolith is, and I'll do my best to help it."

"Oh, thank you! Thank you so much! Please, follow me this way!" The man runs off and Ash, Sorrel, and Verity follow.

Flying overhead, this world's version of Team Rocket, who really aren't any different, are listening in. James grins. "If memory serves me right, Mossolith is quite the powerhouse of a Pokémon."

Jessie agrees, "Absolutely, the sort of Pokémon that would go a long way towards bolstering the strength of Team Rocket."

Meowth declares, "Then what are waiting for!? Let's nab that Mossolith while it's too weak to fight back!"

Together, the three of them chant, "Grab the rock, put it in shock, rule the block!"

Wobbuffet appears and declares, "Wobbuffet!"

Its appearance changes with the weather. This Pokémon gained the ability to use the vast power of nature to protect its tiny body.

The man has brought Ash, Verity, and Sorrel to the outside of a small town. He shows them a large Mossolith, which is hunched over in pain. The moss across its body is colored a sickly yellow color instead of green. It groans in a deep voice. Many other townspeople surround them, looking worried.

Sorrel looks carefully over the sick Pokémon. He asks, "How long has it been like this?"

The man explains, "Not that long. Perhaps an hour or two."

Sorrel nods. He scrapes a small bit of moss off of the Pokémon and places it under a microscope he pulled out from his bag. "Hmm…"

Verity asks, "Do you see anything?"

Sorrel nods. "Yes, it's as I suspected. Mossolith's moss coat seems to be what's actually sick, and since they share a symbiotic bond, that makes Mossolith sick as well. If this is left unchecked, it could be very bad for Mossolith."

Ash asks, "How does moss get sick?"

Sorrel explains without looking up from his microscope, "Moss is a living thing, just like you, me, or Mossolith. Some sort of moss-specific microbe seems to have infected it."

Verity asks, "Can you get rid of the germ?"

Sorrel looks up from his microscope. "Yeah, I think so. I just need some time to study the microbe, so I can pick the right antibiotic to fight it."

The man, as well as the other townspeople, breathe a sigh of relief.

Hidden from sight by a nearby tree, Team Rocket stands with Pokéballs ready. Jessie whispers, "Alright, on the count of three, we'll rush in, say the motto, grab the Pokémon, by force if necessary, then rush out. It will be a quick in and out operation."

James nods, "Sounds like a plan to me."

Meowth points out, "If we really wanted to be a quick in and out, maybe we should skip the motto."

Together, the three of them ponder this possibility, then altogether shake their heads and declare, "Nah."

Just as they're about to run out, a familiar though distorted voice says bluntly, "You imbeciles really do show up everywhere. I will not have you interfering with my plans." The speaker is just out of sight.

Team Rocket turn to see him and look at him with confusion. Meowth demands, "Who's this lug?"

"Out of my sight."

Suddenly, a Pokémon attack of some kind sends Team Rocket flying into the air. They shout, "We're blasting off way too soon!" as they vanish.

Ash, Verity, and Sorrel look up to sky, having heard something, but when they see nothing, they all shrug and return to business.

It's Castform!

Sorrel continues to work away at his microscope, switching between observations, jotting notes, and checking for information in a book. Ash, Pikachu, Verity, and Piplup sit on the ground next to him, looking rather board.

Verity sighs, "I know we're helping out and all, but I can't stand all this sitting around."

Piplup agrees with a sigh, "Piiiiip."

Sorrel promises, "It won't be much longer. I think I've almost cracked it. Whatever this microbe is, it's not your every-day variant. Just give me another hour or so."

Ash groans. "An hour?"

Sorrel reinforces, "Or so."

Pikachu is lying on its back, gazing off behind it. Its upside-down visions spots something moving through the trees. Pikachu turns itself upright for a better look. It spots a Blissey peeking out from behind a tree. Pikachu questions, "Pika?"

The Blissey smiles at it. "Blissey." It beckons for Pikachu to go over to it.

Pikachu takes a glance at Ash, who's absentmindedly picking away at the grass. Pikachu shrugs, then walks after the Blissey, who has disappeared into the trees.

Once behind the trees, Pikachu calls, "Pika? Pikachu?"

Blissey calls back, "Blissey!"

Pikachu walks in the direction of the voice. "Pik?" Pikachu takes another step forward, and suddenly the bars of a cage slam down in front of it, trapping Pikachu. "Pika!?"

Ash seems to notice for the first time that Pikachu is gone. "Hey, where'd Pikachu go?"

Verity says, "I think I saw it walk off into the forest. It must have gotten too bored sitting around here and decided to explore. Not a bad idea, if you ask me."

Ash gets up and looks around. "Pikachu!" There's no response. "Huh. I guess I'll go and look for it."

Verity nods. "You do that. We'll just be sitting here, doing nothing."

Sorrel, not looking up from his microscope, points out, "Just don't go too far. I think I've nearly hit my breakthrough."

Ash rolls his eyes. "Sure you have."

He walks out into the woods. "Pikachu! Where'd you go?" He looks around. "You couldn't have gone that far, right?"

Then he hears, "Pikapi!"

Ash's eyes widen. "It sounds like Pikachu's in trouble!" He runs towards the cry. He spots Pikachu in a small cage. "Pikachu!"

Pikachu quickly looks to Ash and waves its arms around in warning. Ash doesn't figure this out in time and ends up running into an even bigger cage, and the door slams shut. Ash demands, "Hey, what's this!?"

The same voice that addressed Team Rocket earlier, states, "You are now my prisoner. I suggest you don't struggle; it will make things easier for you in the long run."

Ash looks towards the source of the voice, but he's obscured by the shadows of the forest.

Then Verity and Sorrel come running in. Verity asks, "We heard shouting, is everything alright?" She sees Ash and Pikachu in cages and her question is answered.

Sorrel demands, "Who did this!?"

The man steps out from the shadows. "That would be me." The man is Brock, except it's not. His goatee and evil doctor's get-up clearly distinguish him as The Doctor, Brock's mirror duplicate.

Ash takes a good look at him. "Wait… aren't you the Pewter Gym Leader? What's going on?"

The Doctor seems angered by the comparison. "How dare you compare me to the pathetic Brock of this world? He's even worse than the other Brocks I've met."

Ash shakes his head in confusion. "Wait, what?"

Verity shouts, "That's a lot of non-sense you're spouting! What's that supposed to mean!?"

The Doctor chuckles. "The Brock of your world is a worthless waste of space. To this day he sits day in and day out at his gym. The gym that he doesn't even want to lead. He dreams of becoming a Pokémon Breeder, but takes no actions to follow the dreams, all while not even knowing that his true aspirations are to become a doctor. And how could he know without a journey of self-discovery? But because he has no motivation, he simply withers away a day at a time at his dead-end job, wishing for something more, never discovering his potential." He chuckles again. "And you know what? It's all your fault."

Ash tilts his head. "My fault?"

"Yes, your fault. You see, in most worlds, you meet Brock and inspire him to become more. He sees you and decides to make himself better. But in this world, you simply battled him and left. Never becoming the friend that would inspire him to achieve his potential. Sure, you reunited him with his father, freeing him from the burden of caring for his family, but in another world you would have done so much more for him. The power you have over people is truly sickening. That's why I loathe you."

No one is sure what to make of this speech. Sorrel asks with some hesitation. "This talk about worlds. Are you… from another dimension…? Another world…?"

"Obviously you're the smart one of the group."

Verity asks with surprise, "Another world? How is that possible?"

Sorrel explains, "Our paths are determined by the choices we make and what happens to us. Imagine, for instance, if Ash never found the Rainbow Wing. He probably wouldn't have ever met us, he would have had a different journey, been a different person. That is another world."

Verity questions, "A world where I never met Ash…?" She has quick flashbacks to all the fun times she, Ash, and Sorrel have had together. "In that world, I never would have reconciled things with my mother… It was only because of Ash that I was able to go back and talk to her…"

Sorrel nods, "And in a world where I never met Ash, I would have still been hurting from my loss of Luxray. I may have been able to work with Pokémon again, but it was Ash who helped me to truly overcome the trauma."

Verity shakes her head in dismay. "I can't imagine a world like that. Does such a place really exist?"

Ash is surprised. "You guys really do care about me…"

The Doctor asserts, "No one person should have that kind of power over another! That is why I despise you with every fiber of my being, no matter which version of you it is!"

Verity denies, "No! It's not possible! Nothing like that can exist! I don't care what the world is, we're all the same people! Ash is my friend, no matter what dimension we're in!"

The Doctor shakes his head with pity. "You poor, foolish girl. You don't know what you're talking about. The multiverse doesn't care for the artificial bonds you call friendship."

Verity retreats back by a step and clutches Piplup harder.

Sorrel shouts, "You're wrong! There's nothing artificial about friendship! Even if it's only in this world where we know Ash, it's that friendship that makes this world special!" He throws a Pokéball, sending out his Lucario.

The Doctor's Blissey jumps in front of him, expecting a battle.

But instead, Sorrel shouts, "Go!" And Lucario uses Bone Rush to break through the bars of the cage that holds Ash, then with a second strike, destroys Pikachu's cage.

Ash cheers, "Yeah, we're back in it!"

"Pik pikachu!"

The Doctor looks amused. "So, you decided to help your friend instead of taking the opportunity for a surprise attack against me. We'll see if that strategy works out for you." He looks to his Pokémon. "Blissey, use Mega Punch!"

"Blissey!" Blissey aggressively leaps at Lucario to attack with a glowing white fist.

Verity shouts, "Piplup, use Hydro Pump!" Piplup has leaped out of Verity's arms and blasts Blissey with an intense torrent of water, flinging it off course from Lucario.

Sorrel gives Verity a wordless thanks. She nods back to acknowledge him. He then orders, "Lucario, use Aura Sphere!"

"Cario!" Lucario creates a blue-green orb of energy and flings it at the downed Blissey.

But Blissey quickly gets up and uses Protect to stop the attack.

Ash jumps into action and commands, "Thunderbolt!"

"Pikaaaaa chuuuuuuuu!" Pikachu zaps Blissey right as the Protect barrier lowers.

Sorrel follows up, "Lucario, get in close for a Bone Rush!" Lucario leaps at Blissey to attack with a long bone.

The Doctor states menacingly, "Your mistake. Toxic."

"Bliss!" Blissey sprays a purple fluid from its hands, which engulfs Lucario, forcing it come to a stop and drop its bone as it starts to cough. A purple hue covers Lucario's face.

Sorrel grunts, "Lucario's been badly poisoned!"

Ash grins. "No worry, we'll take of that!" He throws a Pokéball. "Go!" From the Pokéball, a Curemodo appears.

"Curemodo!"

Ash insists, "Curemodo, use Detox to heal Lucario!"

Curemodo nods. "Modo." It rushes to Lucario and sinks its fangs into Lucario's arm to inject its antivenom. Within moments, Lucario looks completely healed.

"Thanks, Curemodo, I don't know what I'd do without you!"

With that accomplished, everyone quickly prepares their next move. Verity shouts, "Hydro Pump!"

Sorrel adds, "Aura Sphere!"

Ash doubles up with, "Thunderbolt and Dragon Force!"

All four attacks are launched at once from different directions, leaving Blissey nowhere to hide. It tries to use Protect but can't raise the barrier in time. Blissey is knocked to the ground.

Ash declares, "You can't defeat us because we have something you don't! We have friends!"

The Doctor sneers. "You're the second one to tell me that. The words of an ignorant fool."

Ash demands, "Why do you hate me so much? What have I ever done to you?"

The Doctor asserts, "I told you already! The amount of power you and all the others like you hold over others is disgusting! A single choice from you can send someone down a completely different path!" He looks down at his own clenched fist. "And I should know…"

He veers off into a flashback. "Not too long ago, I was mostly like the Brock from your world, or any other. Sure, I had my darker tendencies, but you wouldn't recognize them unless you looked closely." While saying this, he thinks of the injured Pidgey he experimented on as a boy. "And just like any other Brock, my deadbeat father left me alone to fend for my family and my gym. I toiled away at that dead-end existence, going through the motions of life completely numbed to the world. Then one day, you, or should I say another version of you, paid a visit to Pewter City."

Mirror Ash and Pikachu are staring up at the Pewter Gym. Ash says nervously to Pikachu, "Well… this is it, the Pewter Gym. I guess now's as good a time as any to challenge a gym…" He says it, but he doesn't sound so convinced. Mirror Pikachu, on the other hand, looks raring to go.

Someone nearby laughs. Ash looks over to see a man with a large beard and a red beanie. It's the same disguise that Brock's dad, Flint, wore when regular Ash met him. He finishes laughing and says, "If you think you can beat Brock, you've got another thing coming. You're a fool."

Mirror Ash doesn't need any more convincing. He runs away crying at the thought of battling Brock.

The Doctor explains, "It was because of your actions, or rather lack of them, that I remained stuck at that accursed gym taking care of my deadweight family. And so there I stayed, fuming, until something inside of me broke. I realized that I didn't need to put up with that life. That I could have anything I wanted if I just took it. And so, I did, and here am now." The flashbacks conclude.

Ash shouts, "But that wasn't me! I would never run away from a challenge! You can't blame me for that!"

The Doctor shakes his head. "I don't blame you for my fate. In fact, I'm quite pleased with the way my life turned out. Not being blinded by your sentiment and ideality has allowed me true freedom of the mind. I am far superior to the others who call themselves Brock. But still, it is you and your doppelgangers that hold this kind of power over others. It's simply holding that power, not what you do with it, that makes me hate you."

Verity steps forward and asserts, "Ash is a good friend! He's the best friend you could ask for! And it sounds to me like you would have been better off if he had met you! That's what really matters! He makes people's lives better!"

Ash grins profusely at Verity. "Thank you, Verity."

Verity acknowledges him with a quick nod.

Sorrel points out, "Now, Doctor, we have you beaten. Will you give up?"

The Doctor begins to laugh menacingly.

Ash states, "I don't see what's so funny."

"You are! You think beating me is all you need to do! Not this time! I was only the distraction! You still have to beat him!"

All three ask at once, "Him…?" They slowly turn around to where The Doctor is beckoning and see a large golden ring with a vortex swirling inside has appeared behind them. A figure steps out from the ring.

Sorrel asks, "What's this!?"

Verity shakes her head. "I don't like this…"

Ash demands, "What is that thing!?"

From the ring steps a man wearing mechanical suit. It covers his body and face entirely, showing nothing of him. The main body and limbs are painted blue, while the head is red. Some sort of cannon-like contraption is attached to the top of his right arm. The stranger announces, "Ash Ketchum, the Rainbow Hero. You will fall to me in battle, as is the destiny of all Ash Ketchums."

Ash demands, "Who are you!?"

"You can call me The Master. That is all you need to know of me. Will you accept my challenge?"

Ash steps forward. "I'll accept any challenge!"

Verity grabs his arm and asks, "Ash, are you sure about this? This guy seems dangerous."

Sorrel points out, "If this guy is The Doctor's boss, he's bound to be massive trouble."

Without looking back to them, Ash reassures, "I'm ready for anything. If this guy wants a battle with the one-and-only Rainbow Hero, then he can have it! Pikachu, are you with me?"

Pikachu runs forward, ready to fight. "Pika!"

Ash recalls Curemodo and puts away the Pokéball, while The Master says, "Ah, the famous Pikachu. It should not surprise me that you call on it. After all, 97.3 percent of all Ashes I face do. The only thing more certain than an Ash using Pikachu, is an Ash losing to me, as that has happened to 100 percent of my opponents."

Ash shouts back, "Well, then how about you send out your Pokémon, and I prove to you that I always defy the odds!"

"That's what they all say." The Master raises his arm and types a quick command into his arm cannon. A Pokéball materializes inside the cannon, but not just any Pokéball. It's a Master Ball. "Go!" He holds his arm forward and fires the cannon. From the Master Ball, a Lugia appears.

Lugia shrieks with massive rage, the cry causing the ground itself to shake.

Ash is flabbergasted. "A… Lugia…? But how!?"

The Master chuckles. "I will never tire of reactions like that. Lugia is but one of the countless Pokémon that serve me. Even Legendary Pokémon bow to my power."

Sorrel shouts in anger, "How dare you!? How dare you forcefully capture a Legendary Pokémon! It's wrong! It's demented! It's perverse! That Lugia is in massive pain!"

Ash looks back to Lugia. What at first was assumed to be rage is actually pain and anguish. Lugia does not look right. Ash accuses, "You're a monster."

The Master shakes his head. "No, I am simply the best. You just can't comprehend the glory I have achieved. Lugia, knock them away with Aeroblast!"

Lugia shrieks again, this time the pain behind its voice is apparent. It flaps its wings, summoning a massive vortex of silver wind that blasts Ash, Pikachu, and everyone else right off their feet.

They all fall with a slam. Verity shouts, "Ash! You can't battle a Legendary Pokémon! This will never end well!"

Ash shakes his head. "I don't care, we have to try! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Pikaaaaaa chuuuuuuu!" Pikachu unleashes the strongest bolt of electricity it can manage, but it does absolutely nothing to Lugia.

"Pathetic."

"Oh yeah!? How about this! Pikachu, use Volt Tackle!"

"Pika, pika, pika, pika, pika…" Pikachu rushes in at Lugia, cloaked in electricity.

"Aeroblast."

Before Pikachu can even make it close, it is once more swept away by the intense winds of Lugia. Pikachu skids across the ground, obviously having sustained severe damage.

"Give up now. There is no hope for you."

Ash shouts, "No! I'll never give up! I am the Rainbow Hero! I will conquer any challenge in my way!" With this intense show of determination, a brilliant multi-colored light shines out through the cracks of Ash's backpack.

Verity gasps. "Is that…?"

Sorrel nods. "It is… It has to be…"

Ash whips off his backpack and pulls the source of the light out. From his bag he produces the Rainbow Wing. He holds it up to the sky and shouts, "Ho-Oh! Lend me your power!" A rainbow bursts out from the Rainbow Wing and arcs across the sky.

Moments later, and a majestic cry echoes.

Verity shakes her head in disbelief. "No way…"

Ho-Oh flies into sight from the other side of the rainbow and lands next to Ash. Ash is grinning profusely. "What do you say, Ho-Oh, will you help me defeat this maniac?"

Ho-Oh looks towards The Master and Lugia and sounds a cry in affirmation.

"Alright!" Ash and Pikachu climb up on Ho-Oh's back. He looks to The Master and asks, "You still so sure you can beat me?"

The Master laughs. "You cannot possibly comprehend the severity of the mistake you have just made." Using a propulsion system in his boots, he mounts Lugia. "But I will gladly oblige."

Both Legendary Pokémon take off to the skies at once. Ho-Oh is quick to attack with Sacred Fire, flinging a storm of rainbow flames at Lugia. But Lugia quickly counters with its equally powerful Aeroblast. The attacks cancel. As the two Pokémon fly past each other, each become cloaked in a harsh light as they prepare for a Sky Attack. They fly past each other, bank to turn around, then charge in at each other, colliding midway and bouncing back. Lugia quickly attacks while close with Hydro Pump, blasting Ho-Oh with an extreme jet of water. Ho-Oh takes glancing blow, but manages to swivel out of the way, then use Ancient Power to attack back with mystical rocks, scoring several glancing blows against Lugia. Lugia quickly recovers and attacks once more with Aeroblast. Ho-Oh uses Sky Attack to charge right though the wind vortices and move on to attack Lugia.

The Master seems to realize something. "Now is the time. Use Hydro Pump, but aim high."

Lugia's eyes widen. It doesn't seem to want to listen to this command.

The Master recognizes this show of disobedience and presses a button on his gauntlet. Lugia suddenly writhes in pain. "Do it!"

Lugia has no choice but to obey. It fires off another Hydro Pump at the incoming Ho-Oh, this time aiming not for Ho-Oh, but the one riding it.

Ash's eyes widen as he realizes the attack's target. Ho-Oh realizes this too. In an attempt to protect Ash, it cancels the Sky Attack and pulls up, taking the full brunt of the Hydro Pump itself. This forces Ho-Oh into a tailspin. Ash and Pikachu fall off its back.

The Master raises types another command into his cannon, and another Master Ball appears inside its chamber. He carefully aims the cannon and shouts, "Go, Master Ball!" The Master Ball is fired at Ho-Oh, and while plummeting, Ho-Oh has no way of blocking or avoiding the ball. It hits its target, and Ho-Oh is pulled in. There's no wiggling of the Master Ball at all. It immediately clicks, capturing Ho-Oh with no resistance. The ball then teleports again, being called back to The Master's cannon.

While still falling, Ash shouts in horror, "Ho-Oh!" He looks to the Rainbow Wing in his hand. It has turned completely black. His eyes widen. "A heart of evil…"

Before he hits the ground, Sorrel shouts, "Ash, we've got you!" Lucario leaps up and catches Ash out of the air before he can crash.

The Master proudly declares, "Ho-Oh, obtained." He looks down to Ash. "Normally I limit myself to only one of any Legendary Pokémon species, but when it comes to Ho-Oh, I make a special exception. This one will make a fine addition to my collection."

Ash holds the blackened Rainbow Wing up for The Master to see and shouts, "You're a monster! An utter monster! How could you do this!?"

The Master shakes his head in disapproval. "The better question is, how could you not? If you had just captured this Ho-Oh, then this all could have been avoided. You claim to want to be a Pokémon Master. You claim you want to be the best. But you hold yourself back. But now I have my prize, now I have defeated you, and now it is time to destroy you. One less Ash in this multiverse." Lugia prepares for another Aeroblast.

Ash looks around frantically. Verity shouts, "There's no escaping it! We're toast!"

But then a portal suddenly opens up in front of Ash. Team Rocket peaks out from it and shout, "Come with us if you want to live!" It's not Team Rocket, it's Mirror Team Rocket.

Seeing no other choice, Ash leaps into the portal with Pikachu. Verity and Sorrel try to follow, but the portal closes before they can.

Realizing that Ash is gone, The Master halts the attack. He looks to Verity and Sorrel and declares, "You two got lucky, this time. I have my prize, and you are not the ones I came here to destroy." He types another command into his suit, and another gold ring appears. "The next Ash will not be so lucky." Lugia dives into the ring and they disappear. The Doctor follows and the ring vanishes.

Verity and Sorrel are stuck in place, completely stunned by their near destruction. All at once, Verity collapses down to the ground and starts to sob. She shouts at the top of her lungs with anguish, "Ash!"

Sorrel leans over and hugs her, trying to offer whatever meager comfort he can, but tears are falling from his eyes too.

To Be Continued…