Episode 145: Planetary Crisis Part 2: Dread or Survive

After getting in the way of Team Planetary's sinister plot one too many times, our heroes have been branded as Tenno's most wanted. The outlook for them is bleak, as Team Planetary has turned the entire region against them. What is there for them to do? How can they escape this crisis?

Picking up exactly where things left off, Braydon grabs the Pokéssistant Brock dropped and chucks it as hard as he can into the waters of Crater Lake.

Brock shouts with shock, "Hey! What gives!?"

Braydon asserts, "We're fugitives now. We're on the lam. Team Planetary can track us through the Pokéssistant. We can't let them do that."

Brenda objects, 'But my mom! I never got to explain things to her!"

Braydon shakes his head. "It's better that way. If she doesn't know the truth, Team Planetary might let her be. If she knew, then she becomes an accomplice in their eyes. The same goes for the rest of us. We can't contact any of our loved ones. That only puts them in danger."

Brock shakes his head in dismay. "What is my family thinking right now? My brothers and sisters all looked up to me, and now they'll think I'm a criminal…"

Ash, clenching his fists and remaining silent, stares out across the glass-like waters of Crater Lake. His fists begin to shake, then he suddenly grabs a large rock and hurls it into the water as he shouts in frustration. The rock destroys the serenity of the water. "Why!?"

Brenda looks to Ash with fright. "Ash…are you okay…?"

Ash doesn't look to her, but responds harshly, "No. I'm not. Nothing is okay. Everything is wrong. Team Planetary got away, and now they've made it impossible for us to touch them!"

Brenda hesitantly asks, "What are you saying…?"

Ash pivots around suddenly and shouts at her, "We lost, Brenda! It's all over! We can fight Team Planetary, but we can't fight the law! Everything we've done up until now has been for nothing! The best we can hope for now is to live a wasted life in hiding as fugitives! It's that, or it's jail! We've lost!"

Brenda cowers away from Ash's uncharacteristic outburst. He's frightening her.

From Ash's feet, Pikachu looks up at him and says with sadness, "Pikapi…"

Pikachu's reaction combined with Brenda's fright brings some sense back to Ash. He sighs as his body relaxes slightly. "Brenda…sorry… I just…I…I don't know…" Further words escape him.

Brenda tries to accept Ash's apology, but words escape her as well.

Braydon steps closer to Ash. "Ash, you're not entirely wrong. Things do look hopeless. Team Planetary has made things nearly impossible for us. But that doesn't mean they beat us. We're still here. We can still fight. And as long as we don't give up, there's still hope left."

Ash starts to object, "But-"

Braydon shakes his head. "I've been planning for this eventuality all my life. I knew Team Planetary controlled even the law enforcement of Tenno. I knew that if I became a big enough thorn in their side, they would eventually do this to me. We just have to assess our situation and make a plan. We can do this. I know it. We just have to remember what's important and never give up."

Ash takes a deep breath. "You're right. But I can't even imagine what we could plan."

Braydon cracks a slight grin. "Then let's start with the obvious. What do we have to do to stop Team Planetary? They gave us a pretty big hint in that press conference."

Brock realizes, "They said that our goal was to stop the launch of the Space Shuttle Rayquaza!"

Braydon nods. "Bingo. They tipped their hand to us in that one. Now we know their ultimate plan must revolve around that shuttle launch."

Brenda chimes in, "If I remember correctly, the Space Shuttle Rayquaza was supposed to launch in three days from now at the Cape Space Center in Kanaveral City."

Braydon nods again. "Exactly. So now we have our target and our deadline."

Ash sighs. "What good will it do? We're on the opposite side of the region from Kanaveral. There's no way we could possibly make it there in time without revealing ourselves for arrest."

"On our own, maybe. But with some help, we could do it."

Brenda asks, "Do you know someone who could help us? Someone who would be willing to help us?"

Braydon sighs. "Could help us, yes. Willing to, I don't know."

Brock is apprehensive. "That's not the most reassuring plan."

"I know, but it's the best I've got." He takes a deep breath, then explains, "Crater Lake isn't too far from the Rest Stop. From there we can make it to Versal City." He takes a deep breath. "That's where my…" He pauses. "That's where the guy I know lives. We've just got to hope against hope that we can convince him who's side is right." He sighs. "Come on, we should get moving. It won't be long before police are dispatched to our last known location."

As they prepare to move, they are silently watched by a hidden Velocivity and its mysterious silhouetted partner.

It's night and a heavy thunderstorm drops torrents of water to the muddy ground. The feet of Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Braydon splash up mud and water as they frantically run. They are briefly illuminated by a near blinding flash of lightning, which is promptly followed by the crack of booming thunder.

Somewhere behind them, a Growlithe also rushes through the mud, barking as it runs forward with determination. Chasing behind it are several police officers, who are lit up by the next bolt of lightning. Their leader, Officer Jenny, shouts, "Don't lose them! They're just ahead of us!"

Growlithe barks in affirmation, "Grow grow!"

As they run, Brock laments, "I can't decide if this is a dream or a nightmare! When I said I wanted Officer Jenny to want me, this isn't what I meant!"

Brenda shouts, "They're catching up with us! We can't outrun them! What do we do!?"

Braydon asserts, "We may have no choice but to fight them."

Brenda objects, "But they're the police! We can't fight them! That would be illegal!"

Braydon points out, "So is running from the police. Team Planetary is giving us no choice. This is all their fault, not ours. We have to do what we must to stop them."

Brenda is unsettled by the idea.

Ash pulls out a Pokéball. "I'll do whatever it takes."

Braydon looks to their side and notices a river bloated by the storm. An idea strikes him. "Wait, I've got another idea. We may not have to fight after all."

Brenda asks, "What do we need to do?"

"The next time we get a strong bolt of lightning, we jump to the side into the river. The flash will blind them long enough so they don't see us, the river will carry us away from them, and the water will mask out scent from the Growlithe."

Brock nods in agreement. "It's as good a plan as any."

Brenda looks at the rapids formed in the river hesitantly. "I don't know, it looks kind of dangerous."

Ash asserts, "It's that, or take our chance with the police."

Brenda nods. "Right. Let's try it."

Within in seconds, the world turns white from another bolt of lightning overhead. Braydon shouts, "Now!" They all leap to the side of the path they were running along and into the river.

This immediately proves to be a poor choice, as the swift current of the storm-fed river is too much for them. They are thrashed about and pulled under.

Ash grabs a tight hold of Pikachu and braces himself. The last thing he sees as the undertow takes him is the police running by. Officer Jenny shouts, "Where'd they go!?"

Who's that Pokémon!?

This Pokémon evolved from exposure to the moon's energy pulses. It lurks in darkness and waits for its foes to move. The rings on its body glow when it leaps to attack.

A crack of thunder causes Ash to jolt up. He's sitting on the bed of the river. He coughs. He looks around to see Brock, Brenda, Braydon, and Pikachu all lying on the riverbed as well, but they're unconscious. Ash asks, "What happened? How'd we get out from the river?"

The voice of the mysterious silhouette responds, "My friend seems to have taken a liking to you and insisted on saving you and your friends."

Ash's head swiftly turns towards the source of the voice. Shrouded by the shadow of a large tree, the mystery man with a glowing blue eye stands obscured. Ash starts to get up to move towards the man.

The man objects, "No. Do not approach me. I cannot be seen."

Ash isn't ready to stand yet anyways and collapses back to sitting on the ground. "And who are you?"

"Who I am is insignificant. I am merely a simple man on a personal quest to make things right and to atone for the sins of his past."

"And what about your friend? Who's that?"

"Someone you've already met."

Ash hears movement to his side and glances over. He is surprised to see Velocivity standing next to him, where it wasn't a moment ago. "Velocivity!? No way! You saved us again!"

Velocivity stares serenely at Ash but makes no response.

The man comments, "Velocivity has a heart more golden than its light. Saving others is what it does. I owe my life to the Pokémon, and that is why I stay by its side now."

Ash looks back in the direction of the man. "Can you at least tell me your name?"

The man sighs. "I have not gone by a name in many years. I am but a wanderer stripped of all identity. Barely even human."

"There's got to be something I can call you."

"If you insist, you may call me M31."

Ash tilts his head in confusion. "M31? What kind of name is that?"

"I told you already. I have no name."

Ash shrugs. "All right. Well, thank you for saving my friends and I, M31."

"Do you not listen? It was Velocivity who saved you. Not I. I do not possess the power to save anyone. Not even those I held most dear."

Ash shakes his head. "Something tells me Velocivity would have trouble dragging us onto shore without hands. I'm betting that part was you. You helped save us."

"Think what you will. Reality tells a different truth."

"A different truth? As in there's more than one? I don't think you know what truth means."

M31 chuckles. "I do know what truth means. But it took me losing everything to learn the truth about truth. There are many truths in this word. No single one is absolute. Take heed to remember that."

Ash hears something stirring. He looks to the side to see Brenda starting to move.

M31 states, "Your friends will soon awaken. Velocivity and I must be off. I wish you the best of luck in your journey to find your truth."

Ash is about to object when there's a bolt of lightning. When the flash subsides, M31 and Velocivity are gone. Ash shakes his head in dismay. "What was that…?"

As Brenda gets up, she asks, "Were you just talking to someone, Ash?" She puts her hand to her head, as if it hurts.

It's Umbreon!

Ash and the others have resumed their journey, this time not being pursued. Brock looks up towards the storm clouds above them. "Why does Velocivity follow us? Why does it save us?"

Ash ponders, "That strange man, M31, he said that Velocivity seems to like me. Is that why? Did I do something to impress it? What could that have been?"

Brenda laughs. "Don't be so modest, Ash. You're always doing impressive stuff. You're always helping people too. Maybe Velocivity just wants to help you in return."

Ash's modesty doesn't allow him to accept that. "No. I'm just doing what any good person would do."

Braydon points out, "Even good people wouldn't give up everything and be branded as a criminal in order to stop a corrupt organization."

Ash averts his eyes to the floor and mumbles under his breath, "Except I didn't chose this…I was forced…" He sighs. "And I forced all of you into it with me…"

Brock stops and grabs Ash by the shoulders. He asserts, "Don't say that, Ash. We're all here by choice. We made the choice to not stand idly by while Team Planetary committed acts of evil. This is not your fault."

Ash doesn't even attempt to pull out of Brock's grip. He continues to look at the muddy floor and refuses to make eye contact. "Brock, it was me. It was all me. I'm the one who became obsessed with stopping Team Planetary. I'm the one who wouldn't let things go. And now I've ruined the lives of all three of you."

Brock sighs. "Ash…we all knew what we were getting in to. We all knew that Team Planetary had this sort of power. We could have walked away at any point. We could have said enough was enough. But we didn't. We made the choice to stand with you against Team Planetary."

Brenda adds, "You're not the only one who couldn't stand by and do nothing."

Braydon reminds, "And don't forget, I've been the anti-Team Planetary conspiracy theorist since long before you ever heard of them."

Ash doesn't respond. He just sighs.

Braydon says encouragingly, "Now come on. Let's keep moving. Despite our little swimming excursion, we're still making good time to Versal City. We'll be making it to the Rest Stop soon."

While Ash still doesn't say anything, he knows the importance of making good time and starts walking forward. The others are quick to follow, not allowing him to walk alone.

Cosmo stands alone in Polaris' office. He stands in front of the desk and stares out the windows behind it at the view of Kanaveral City and the Cape Space Center beyond it. He's deep in thought.

A voice says, "Penny for your thoughts."

Cosmo turns around in surprise to see Polaris entering the office. "Polaris, sir, sorry. My mind wandered."

Polaris walks around Cosmo to sit at his desk. "Cosmo, my son, can you please drop the formalities. You don't need to call me sir when it's just us two. Am I not more to you than simply your superior officer?"

Cosmo sighs and takes the seat across from Polaris. "Sorry. My mind was so preoccupied that I slipped. Of course you're more to me. So much more."

"So, tell me then. What's got you so preoccupied?"

"Our mission. We've worked towards this point for years, but I would be lying if I said there weren't times that I doubted we make it here."

Polaris nods, "Yes. Much the same has been going through my mind as of late. All the sacrifices we've been forced to make and endure have nearly paid off. In less than three days, we will no longer be required to make sacrifices for the greater good."

Cosmo sighs. "That's what's on my mind. The sacrifices."

Polaris raises a brow. "Oh? And what do you mean?"

Cosmo takes a deep breath. "Polaris, what if we've made too many sacrifices? What if what we're doing isn't worth all that we've given up?"

Polaris' face suddenly turns from warm to stern. "You've been thinking about your father again."

Cosmo instinctively responds, "My father was shortsighted fool!"

Polaris sighs. "He was. But he was also your father. Your real father. I can only do so much to fill his shoes. I understand you longing for him."

"I don't long for him. I'm glad he's gone. He would have made it even harder to succeed in our mission."

Polaris nods. "And that is why our sacrifices are worthy ones. Do not lose vision, my son. Keep your eyes on the ultimate goal." He pauses for a moment and closes his eyes. "I will do anything it takes to save this world." He opens his eyes and looks directly at Cosmo. "Will you?"

Cosmo stands back up and says with renewed determination. "I will. Anything it takes."

Ash and the others are hiding behind a boulder at the side of the road and peeking over it to see ahead. Team Planetary has set up a checkpoint. A large group of grunts guards the road. A digital bulletin board displays a wanted poster for each of them.

Braydon grimaces with annoyance. "They knew we were heading in this direction thanks to the police, and this is the first fork in the road. They knew we had to come by here and set up to stop us. Why didn't I see this coming? It should have been obvious." He groans. "I'm sorry, guys."

Brock shakes his head. "The blame isn't our concern right now. We've got to focus on making a plan to get past the checkpoint."

Ash is quick to suggest, "I bet Eagladiator could fly us over, one by one."

Braydon shakes his head. "No. There's no way they don't have aerial sensors. They would detect the first one over in a heartbeat, leaving the others no chance to cross."

Brenda suggests, "What if we make a distraction and run for it?"

Brock points out, "Then whoever's in charge of the distraction would get stuck on this end of the barricade." He sighs. "Given the cliffs surrounding us, there's no practical way to go around the checkpoint. We could turn back and take a different path, but that would take more time than we have. Our only option is forward, but no matter how you cut it, there's no way forward without leaving someone behind. This is bad…"

"I'll do it." Everyone looks to Ash with surprise.

Brenda asks uncertainly, "You'll do what…?"

"I'll be the distraction so the rest of you can move on. I got you all into this mess, so it's my responsibility to get you out."

All at once, Brock, Brenda, and Braydon assert, "Absolutely not!"

"Guys, I have to do this."

Brenda shakes her head. "No, you don't, Ash. We're not leaving anyone behind."

Brock adds, "And even ignoring your bad logic, you're claiming this is your fight, so don't you think you should be there for the actual fight?"

Ash sighs. "I should. But if I can't, then oh well. I know you guys can do it without me."

Brenda fervently shakes her head. If she could yell, she would, but in order to remain hidden, she instead asserts in a hushed shout, "Absolutely not! No! No! No! No! No! Nobody's getting left behind, Ash! Nobody, regardless of blame! We have to stick together…" A tear trails down her face. "We've all lost so much; we can't lose anything else. Anyone else."

Ash tries to object, but looking at Brenda's tears renders him unable. "Brenda…"

Brenda dries her tears. "No. There's nothing else to say on the matter. It's closed."

Ash doesn't try to argue any further.

Braydon, who's taking a peek at the checkpoint, urges, "Guys, you need to see this! I think we just got our distraction!"

Ash, Brock, and Brenda quickly turn around and take a look. The grunts standing guard are all looking around with a mixture of concern and confusion. At first, it's not clear what the source of their attention is, but then a streak of light speeds past them. One points in the direction it traveled and shouts, "There it is again!"

Ash grins. "Velocivity! It's saving us again!"

There's another streak of light, this time in the opposite direction. This time Velocivity smashes through the barricade and then stops just long enough for the grunts to spot it before it dashes off again.

The leader of the grunts shouts, "Don't just stand there! That was a Legendary Pokémon! It could be an asset for Project Architect! After it!"

There's an echoing of, "Yes, sir!" They give chase, leaving the checkpoint unoccupied.

Braydon urges, "Come on, guys! That's our cue!" He runs and the others follow.

Bringing up the rear as they run past the shattered barricade, Ash pauses to look off in the direction of Velocivity.

A voice announces, "Keep running!"

Ash looks towards the source, which is the electric bulletin board. It now shows a video of a silhouetted figure with a single glowing eye. Somehow, it's M31.

When Ash doesn't immediately listen, M31 emphasizes, "Velocivity has made its choice to help you help the world. If you truly think of it as a friend, then respect that decision and keep on running, no matter what happens."

Ash nods. "Right." He runs on and catches up with the others.

But they're not running for long before they hear someone shouting, "Criminals! Stop!"

Ash looks back to see the Planetary Grunts on their tail.

Brock surmises, "They must have realized they wouldn't be able to catch Velocivity by chasing it and returned to their post!"

Ash pulls out a Pokéball. "We can fight them. They're not police."

Brenda points out, "Fighting them now would be no different from fighting them at the checkpoint. There's too many of them!"

Ash notices the sounds of Pokémon emerging from Pokéballs and looks behind him to see Psychic Pokémon, such as Elgyem, Lunatone, and Solrock have been sent out by the grunts. The lead grunt orders, "Immobilize the criminals!"

On his order, the Pokémon all use Psychic, and instantly freeze Ash and the others in place.

Ash struggles to break free, but the combined psychic field is too strong. He's completely immobilized. He shouts in rage, "No! This can't be how this ends! No! I refuse!"

Brock says with lament, "I don't think we have much choice, Ash…"

But just as all hope seems lost, it returns in the form of a streak of light. That light rams through the line of Planetary Pokémon, freeing Ash and the others from the clutch.

Ash cheers, "Velocivity!"

Velocivity skids to a stop as it turns to face the grunts. It issues a challenging howl. "Velooooo!"

The grunts immediately put all their focus on the Lightspeed Pokémon. With their Pokémon already out, it's simple to command them to use Psychic to trap the Legendary Pokémon. The Pokémon struggles to break free, but just like the Cosmic Guardians before it, the sheer numbers on Team Planetary's side are enough to immobilize even the strongest of foes. The grunts are quick to surround the Pokémon.

Brock, Brenda, and Braydon are already making their escape, but Ash is stopped, still as frozen as if immobilized by Psychic. He shouts in terror, "Velocivity!"

Brock realizes Ash isn't with them and runs back for him. He grabs Ash by the arm and urges, "There's nothing you can do, Ash! We have to run! Use the time Velocivity bought us!"

Velocivity manages to turn its head to look at Ash. It stares him straight in the eyes, as if willing him to understand its feelings.

The voice of M31 echoes in Ash's head, "If you truly think of it as a friend, then respect that decision and keep on running, no matter what happens."

With tears flowing down his face, Ash allows himself to be dragged into running away by Brock. There's a terrible flash of lightning, followed by an ominous crack of thunder as they run out of sight.

Ash and the others step into the tropical resort that is known as the Rest Stop. Even here, the storm rages on. Brenda says optimistically, "The road forks here in multiple directions. Once we're past here, they won't be able to guess where we're going anymore."

Braydon nods in agreement. "I think we might have made it to safety, at least relatively."

As if to prove him wrong, police officers suddenly leap from hiding in all directions. Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Braydon have no path of escape.

Officer Jenny shouts, "We have you surrounded! You're under arrest!" The police begin to move in closer. Officer Jenny continues, "Put your hands up, and make no sudden movements!"

Brenda laments, "This is really it, then. We're done. There's no Velocivity to save us this time…"

Ash, eyes still red from crying, adds morbidly, "Velocivity's sacrifice was a waste. We couldn't return the favor… We failed…"

As lightning illuminates the resort, a voice declares, "I'll take this arrest from here!"

Recognition flashes across Ash's face. "No way…"

As the prolonged flash subsides, Looker walks into sight.

Looker of the International Police!? Here!? But is he here to arrest or to help our heroes? Find out, as the crisis continues…

Jessie, James, and Meowth are traveling by balloon. They're soaked from the storm. Jessie complains, "Why don't we have an umbrella?"

James reminds her, "We did, until you forgot that unfolding in it a balloon at speed means the wind will carry it away. You lost it!"

Jessie corrects him, "I didn't lose it, the wind lost it."

James sighs but doesn't argue it any further.

Meowth suddenly cracks up in laughter.

James asks, "What's got you so riled up, chap?"

Meowth grins at him. "This is golden. Check this out." He holds up a portable holographic display for him and Jessie to see. On it is the wanted posters for Ash and the others.

Jessie yanks it out of his hands. "No way, the twerps are Tenno's most wanted!? Since when did they become criminals!? This is crazy!"

Wobbuffet appears and agrees with much shock of its own, "Wobbuffet!"

James gives a satisfied laugh. "I guess they can't be so high and mighty next we see them. They no longer have the moral high ground."

Jessie laughs. "What does high ground matter? We have a balloon."

James decides not to answer that question.

Then Jessie's mood suddenly shifts from laughter to shock. "Wait a second…"

Meowth asks, "What?"

She demands, "How did the twerps get on Tenno's most wanted list before us!?"

James and Meowth suddenly grow outraged as well. James shouts, "We're career criminals! We should be on that list!"

Meowth adds, "How could a bunch of goody two shoes like the twerps upstage our criminality!?"

They all lament together, "Looks like Team Rocket's been overshadowed again!"

To Be Continued…