Episode 13: The Rival of my Rival!?
An exhilarating battle! Upon winning his Meteor Badge from the Horizoport Gym, Ash challenged the Dragon-Type trainer Ryu to a battle. After a heated exchange of attacks between their other Pokémon, the battle comes down to Pikachu and Dratini. Let's find out who wins…
A giant explosion from the collision of Volt Tackle and Dragon Rush covers the battlefield. Ash and Ryu lean in to try to see what happened. Brock thinks, There's no way that both Pokémon are making it out of there. Whoever's left standing when the smoke clears wins.
The smoke clears. An incredibly beat-up looking Pikachu and Dratini stand in pain on either side. Everyone gasps. After a few moments, both Pokémon fall.
After the initial shock passes, Brock declares, "We have a double knockout, this match is a tie!"
Ash and Ryu give each other an upset look. They both walk out onto the field and scoop up their respective Pokémon in their arms. They continue to look at each other.
Suddenly someone clapping can be heard. Ash and Ryu look up to the spectator area and see Crate walking down the stairs clapping. He says, "I hope you don't mind my intrusion. I happened to be walking by when I heard your battle going on. I thought I'd take a look. That was some exhilarating battling."
Ryu walks past him carrying Dratini and brushes it off as, "It was okay." He walks out of sight.
Ash looks aggravated. Crate walks up to him and comments, "Don't let him get to you. You should actually be taking what he said as a compliment. He didn't even give me that much." He beckons Ash forward. "Now come on, why don't we get your Pokémon to the Pokémon Center?"
After the Pokémon Center chime goes off, Nurse Joy walks out with Ash's Pokéballs and Pikachu on a tray. Pikachu looks healthy and healed. She sets the Pokémon on the counter in front of Ash and says, "Your Pokémon are healed once again. You must have been in one tough battle to have to come back so soon."
Pikachu leaps onto Ash's shoulder and Ash retrieves his Pokéballs. He nods. "Yeah, it was pretty tough." Ash walks to the other side of the room where Brock and Brenda are sitting with Crate. He joins them. Ash still appears upset.
Brock says, "Come on Ash, you can't let that battle weigh so heavily on you."
Brenda adds, "Besides, he didn't even manage to beat you."
Ash responds, "I know, but it was still close. I can't believe I came that close to losing and validating his point of view."
Brock shakes his head. "Even if you had lost, that doesn't mean that Ryu was right. Everyone has their own opinion on Pokémon, and no single one is right."
Crate states, "Hey, have I ever told you guys why I became a meteorite hunter?"
Brenda nods. "Yeah, you said that you love the idea of something that came from beyond this world."
Crate nods. "That's why I love meteorites, but it's not necessarily why I became a meteorite hunter. You see, back when I was a child, I was exploring the western area of Tenno Minor. There I stumbled upon a cave. I wandered into this cave and got lost. After wandering for a long time, I found myself face-to-face with a large Pokémon. The Pokémon seemed to be made of rocks, and was unlike any I've seen before or since. I think that what I saw was a Legendary Pokémon." At this mention Ash perks up and gives his full attention. "Anyways, after seeing this Pokémon for only a split second, I fell unconscious. When I woke back up I found myself outside of the cave. I'll never know for sure what happened for sure, but I'm willing to bet that that Pokémon I saw brought me out. The first thing I noticed when I stood up was a fist-sized rock on the ground next to me. Something about that rock fascinated me and I kept it. I soon found out that not only was it a meteorite, but it was a Meteoric Shard."
Brock observes, "That's that big Meteoric Shard that was in the center of your display."
Crate nods. "The very same one. I think that the Pokémon I saw left it for me as a kind of gift. The point of my story though is that no one ever believed. No one believed that I saw a Pokémon that day, and they all thought I had just found the Meteoric Shard by luck." He looks at Ash. "Just as Ryu told you that you were wrong, everyone I knew told me that I was wrong. I never let it get to me. I never cared what others thought, I know what I saw, and it inspired the lifelong love of meteorites that I possess."
Ash nods, understanding the purpose of Crate's story. He's about to say something as a somewhat distant alarm is suddenly heard. He exclaims, "What's that?!"
Crate's eyes go wide. "That's the alarm at my museum! Someone's broken in!" The group all gets up and run out.
Who's that Pokémon!?
This Pokémon is so timid, it can't move if it isn't with a swarm of others. It conveys its feelings with scent.
The group runs up to the stairs of the front door of the museum. The alarm can still be heard and the doors are broken down. They run up the steps and into the museum. Inside the Lunatone and Solrock that are used as guards are knocked out and lying on the ground. In the center of the room are Cosmo and four Team Planetary grunts. Crate looks surprised. He shouts, "I know you!"
At the same time, Ash steps forward and demands, "Cosmo, you're going to give back that Pokémon you stole!"
Ash and Crate look at each other and say at once, "Wait, you know him?"
Cosmo steps forward. "My, my, aren't I the popular one?"
Crate demands, "I've already told you that I'm not selling my Meteoric Shards! What are you doing here!?"
"I have not come to purchase your Meteoric Shards…I have come to take them."
Crate goes wide-eyed with surprise. "But, you're a member of Team Planetary, why would you steal my property?"
"Because Team Planetary requires them to for the greater good of humanity."
Ash shouts, "Is that how you justified stealing Sporout!?"
"I don't like the term stealing. I prefer…appropriating."
Brenda asks, "So why are you trying to steal the Meteoric Shards? What's this 'greater good' you speak of?"
Cosmo looks down to the shards and asks, "Tell me, what do you know of the story of the Cosmic Architect?"
Crate says, "That's a fairy tale. What does it have to do with this?"
Ash asks, "Who's the Cosmic Architect?"
Cosmo looks back up. "It is a story intertwined with that of the Meteoric Shards. Billions of years ago the universe was created when the Original One created Time and Space. That's where the Sinnoh Time-Space Legend leaves off. However, that is not the entire story. This newly created universe was empty, a void of formless space debris. There wasn't a star, planet, or moon to speak of. The Original One set out to fix this. With his infinite power he created an army of divine beings with power comparable to his own. These beings were the Cosmic Architects. Each Cosmic Architect traveled to a different region of the newly created universe and using their powers of creation, and servants of their own, constructed star systems, such as our own Solar System, including the stars, planets and moons within them."
Crate refutes, "That's all just a myth. Nothing about it is fact."
"And why should that be? This myth is connected to that of the Sinnoh Time-Space Legend, and that has recently proven to be true." He beckons to the Meteoric Shards. "Besides, aren't these all the evidence you need? They are embedded with energy from the creation of the Solar System; does that not sound like proof to you?"
"It's going to take more than just that to prove something like that actually happened."
Cosmo slowly shakes his head. "I could stand here and debate the history of our Solar System all day, but I really must be off." He looks back to the grunts and snaps his fingers. "Let's go."
One grunt smashes the glass case around the Meteoric Shards and throws them in a bag. Then all of the grunts throw a Pokéball into the air. They all release the same Pokémon. It appears to be a loose amalgamation of glowing orange and blue gases drawn into a somewhat round shape with a face on it. Two wisps of this gaseous material form into arms and hands. It floats above the ground and is a couple of feet tall. The grunts all commands at once, "Flash!" The room lights up with a harsh bright light. By the time is subsides, Team Planetary has left.
Ash asks, "Who was that Pokémon?" and takes out his Pokédex.
"Protostar, the Young Star Pokémon and a Fire and Light Combo-Type. Protostar form when high concentrations of gases come together and form into a single body. It emits a faint light that grows brighter the larger and older it gets. Protostar evolves into Astar at level 32."
Crate says, "Come one, we've got to go after them!" They run outside.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket seems to have been watching the entire encounter through a window. Jessie complains, "No fair, those copycats stole our meteorites!"
James shouts, "First they steal our style, then they steal our steal!? Outrageous!"
Mime Jr. copies all of his angry movements as it shouts "Mime mime mime!"
Meowth, who seems oddly calm, states, "Chill guys, this is perfect."
Jessie demands, "And in what world is this situation considered perfect?"
"Just think about it this way, our problem was getting past the security. They may be good for nothing copycats, but they did us a favor by getting those Meteoric Shards away from any security systems. Now we've just got to go and take it from them instead."
James and Mime Jr. nod. "I see your point." He suddenly stands up and strikes a determined pose along with Mime Jr. "Let's do it!"
"Mime mime!"
It's Ledyba!
Ash, Crate, and the others are outside the museum and looking around for a glimpse of Team Planetary. A voice calls, "Crate, I heard the alarms, what happened!?" An Officer Jenny, the same as seen in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh, runs towards them.
Brock dashes towards Jenny and proclaims, "Oh Officer, there has been a theft…a theft of my heart, and I'm afraid that you my beautiful are the culprit!"
Jenny is confused. "Excuse me?"
Meteorfight appears and delivers a well-timed uppercut to Brock's chin.
Crate quickly explains, "A group of thieves broke into my museum and stole my Meteoric Shards. They seemed to be phonies masquerading as members of Team Planetary."
Jenny nods. "Alright, I'll order a police perimeter around the city. No one will get in or out." She runs off saying something into her radio.
Crate says, "We need to find those thieves, I've already told you why those Meteoric Shards, especially the big one, are important to me."
Ash says, "Don't worry, we can help you." Ash throws a Pokéball into the air and Apprentichick comes out. "Apprentichick, I need you to search the city for four suspicious figures in uniforms."
"Aprenti!" Apprentichick flies off.
Brenda exclaims, "Glitterfly can help too!" She lets out Glitterfly and gives it similar instructions. Glitterfly flies off in the opposite direction.
Ash states, "Don't worry Crate, we'll get them."
Cosmo, followed by the four grunts, makes his way behind a building. Standing there is a tall man with jet-black hair. He wears a suit similar to the grunts', but more streamlined and missing the cap. Around his left upper arm and leg is a red stripe. The grunts immediately snap to attention. Cosmo, on the other hand, doesn't seem to care as much. The man says with a commanding voice, "Cosmo, you've attracted too much attention."
Cosmo responds, "I got your Meteoric Shards Sirius, there was no other way."
"That's Commander Sirius to you. You may be the heir apparent to Team Planetary, but until the time comes for you to take that position you're still a child, and I still outrank you."
Cosmo grunts. "Sorry sir."
"Your actions have alerted the police, they've set up a perimeter around the city. There's no way that we're getting out of here unnoticed." Before Cosmo can object, he continues, "And don't forget, Team Planetary's true motives must remain hidden. The people of Tenno will still listen to us right now. We can't risk being exposed, if we are, despite the fact that we are trying to help humanity, they will betray us. We must keep our true operations secret for the good of the people."
Cosmo reluctantly nods. "Right, the good of the people."
"Now, we need a way out of here that will avoid the police blockade. Any ideas?"
Cosmo shakes his head. "My best suggestion is that we wait it out. They'll have to give up the search eventually."
Sirius nods. "That could be doable. We'll just have to find a place to hide. That shouldn't be too hard. I'll send a message to HQ and see if they can work out some sort of extraction plan. Now come on," he beckons them to move, "let's get out of here."
A voice from behind them suddenly says, "People like you disgust me." The Team Planetary group turns around to find Ryu and Dratini standing there.
Sirius demands, "Who are you?"
"My name does not matter. What matters is that you are nothing but thieves. The police think that you are pretending to be part of Team Planetary. They think that the precious benefactors of mankind would never do such a thing. But I know better. I know that you are just as real as they come. Now surrender yourselves."
Cosmo asks, "Or what?"
Ryu takes a step forward. "I was hoping you would ask that." He points forward and declares, "Go Dratini!" Dratini leaps off of his shoulders and land in front of him.
"Tini!"
The grunts all prepare their Pokéballs. Cosmo steps forward and says, "Leave this to me." He tosses a Pokéball.
On the other side of the building Apprentichick flies by. It stops when it sees an explosion of forces coming from behind the building. It turns around and flies off in the opposite direction.
Ash, Crate, Brock, and Brenda are gathered on a sidewalk. Glitterfly floats next to Brenda. Brenda says, "Thank you for trying Glitterfly." She returns it to its ball.
Just then Apprentichick flies down crying, "Apprentiiiiiichick!"
Ash asks, "Did you find something Apprentichick?"
It nods. "Chick."
"Show us the way then!" Apprentichick flies off and they follow.
The group finds themselves running into a battle between Ryu and Cosmo. Ryu is commanding Dratini while Cosmo has a new Pokémon. It is reminiscent of Sporout, but larger and more matured. The fiddlehead on its head has now grown into a full-fledged fern plant, and the ferns on its back have grown larger than over and now wrap around its body.
Ash pulls out his Pokédex. "Buffern, the Shield Fern Pokémon, and a Grass and Ground Combo-Type. Now that the special symbiotic ferns on its back have fully developed, Buffern can use them as a shield strong enough to deflect bullets. Buffern evolves from Sporout at level 16 and into Ferntress at level 32."
Ash exclaims, "The Sporout he stole evolved into Buffern!"
Ryu shouts, "Thunderbolt Dratini!"
Cosmo returns, "Protect yourself with Foliage Fortress!" The ferns on Buffern's back glow green and grow, creating a barrier around itself. The barrier blocks the Thunderbolt.
Crate demands, "Hand over those meteorites you stole!"
Cosmo, only just now noticing their approach, looks at him and grins. "I'm sorry, do you mean this?" He holds out the largest Meteoric Shard. He snaps his fingers and the grunts move all throw their Pokéballs, releasing the Protostar from before. He then returns his attention to the battle. "Razor Leaf Buffern!"
Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Crate each throw a Pokéball, releasing Turcell, Blissey, Kappaqua, and Meteorfight respectively. They each go in for a fight.
Ash commands, "Ember!" Turcell launches its fiery attack at a Protostar, knocking it back.
Brock shouts, "Use Strength!" Blissey rushes at another Protostar.
Benda declares, "Water Gun, go!" Kappaqua douses its Protostar with water.
Crate finishes, "Thunder Punch!" Meteorfight charges at the last Protostar with an electrified fist.
The Protostar all fight back with various attacks.
Ryu commands, "Dratini, use Dragon Rush!" Dratini becomes cloaked in green energy and it flies towards Buffern.
"Counter with Foliage Fortress!" Buffern protects itself again, causing Dratini to bounce off. "Now use Body Slam!" Buffern charges into Dratini knocking it back further.
Cosmo is still holding onto the Meteoric Shard in one hand. A mechanical hand suddenly comes out of the air and grabs it from him. Everyone in the vicinity notices, and all look up to see Team Rocket's balloon descending.
Cosmo groans, "Oh great, not these losers…"
Sirius, who has been watching most of this transpire, demands, "Who are you!?"
Jessie begins, "Prepare for trouble, first you stole our style!"
James picks up, "Make it double, because then you stole our steal!"
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all people within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth, that's right!"
"Wobbuffet!"
"Mime mime!"
Brenda shouts, "Team Rocket, can't you see that we're busy!?"
Jessie replies, "Exactly the reason we've decided to come in and take this gem of a meteorite now."
Crate shouts, "Put that down now! It's more valuable than you could imagine!"
Meowth grins. "That's why we're taking it! Silly twerps!"
Ash steps forward. "Hand it over Team Rocket!"
James laughs. "Never, this little rock is going to make us rich!"
Ash looks to Pikachu. "Use-"
He's cut off by Cosmo commanding, "Buffern, get rid of them." Buffern launches a Razor Leaf that slices through Team Rocket's balloon, causing them fall quickly, but only after Meowth drops the Meteoric Shard. Ash leaps up and catches it.
The Grunts then tell their Pokémon to attack, and each one launches a light-based attack at Team Rocket, causing them to explode and fly straight into the sky.
As they're flying off, Jessie is angry. "Those copycats got us again!"
James adds, "First they steal our meteorites, then they attack us!? The nerve!"
Meowth sighs. "And now it looks like we're the meteorites…"
They all declare, "Team Rocket's plummeting down to Earth again!" as they create a streak and disappear from sight.
Back at the ground a sound is suddenly heard. Up above them a hovercraft is lowering down. Sirius commands, "Extract, now!"
Cosmo looks at Ash holding the Meteoric Shard. "We can't go yet, he has the Shard!"
"I said it's time to extract! We still have the others; let's get out of here while we can!" A rope ladder is lowered down and the grunts recall their Pokémon and leap on to it. Sirius follows them. "Now Cosmo!"
Sirius looks to Ash, and then reluctantly recalls Buffern and also grabs a hold of the ladder.
Ash shouts, "I won't let you get away that easily this time! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Ryu adds, "You too Dratini!" Pikachu and Dratini both launch a Thunderbolt, but the hovercraft has moved too far away for them to hit.
Ash shouts, "Darn it!" He turns to face Crate and hands him the meteorite. "I'm sorry I let them get away Crate."
Crate takes the shard. "It's not your fault Ash." He looks at it and adds, "Besides, this one Meteoric Shard is more valuable to me than the rest of my museum. At least we got this one back."
Ash looks at Ryu. "And what were you doing?"
Dratini slithers back up to Ryu's shoulders and he turns around to leave. He stops for just a moment and says, "You are not the only enemy of Team Planetary." He walks away.
Crate places the Meteoric Shard back in the broken display case. Around him are Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Officer Jenny. Crate looks around at the destroyed room. He sighs. Officer Jenny says, "Don't worry; I'll have all units keeping watch for these thieves. We'll get them."
Crate says, "Do not worry about me. All this does is give me all the more reason to get back out onto the field and hunt for more meteorites."
Brock says, "Yeah, that's the spirit."
Crate looks at the group. "I really must thank you three for all your help. Without you, who knows how much worse this could have turned out?"
They smile. Brenda jokes, "I guess it's a good thing that we were here."
Ash looks out the window. Crate asks, "I can tell you have something on your mind Ash. What's wrong?"
"It's that Cosmo guy. That's twice now I haven't been able to stop him."
Brock looks at him. "Ash, it's not your job to stop Cosmo."
Brenda adds, "Yeah, that's what the police are for."
Ash sighs. "You're right. But if I ever see Cosmo again, I won't let him get away."
Brenda states, "Let's hope we don't see him again."
With their second run in with Team Planetary behind them, will Ash ever be the same? And what does Ryu have against Team Planetary? What are Team Planetary's true goals? There are so many questions, and only one way to find the answers. Stay tuned…
To Be Continued…
