Make sure to read episode three of the Cosmic Chronicles, available only on the Cosmic Quest Official Website, before this episode. It takes place between episodes 100 and 101.


Episode 101: When Worlds Divide

Ash, Brock, and Brenda are strolling through a museum. All around them, rocks of various shapes and sizes are on display. Brock seems much more interested than Ash and Brenda, who both seem bored.

We find our heroes today in what seems to be a rock museum. What could be more fun than rocks? Everything, according to Ash and Brenda, nothing, according to Brock.

Brock rushes from display to display excitedly. At one he exclaims, "Look, these are pieces of mariposite!" At another, "And here's some breccia!" Another, "Then there's amphibolite!" He stops before one display, "And here are some of the most valuable diamonds ever found." He nudges his eyebrow up and down. "A girl's best friend."

Ash sighs and asks, "Brock, what do you find so interesting about a bunch of rocks?"

Brenda adds, "I'm going to have to agree with Ash on this one. Why are you so excited?"

Brock turns to them. "Did you forget? I used to be a Gym Leader who specializes in Rock-Type Pokémon, of course I'm interested in rocks."

Ash shrugs. "I guess that makes sense…"

"Besides, what's not to be interested in? Rocks are the very foundation of our planet. Rocks tell the story of history better than any historian. Rocks are the foundation upon which the future built."

Brenda is unconvinced. "If you say so…" After a pause she adds, "Well, I hate to leave, but I just remembered that I've got some… training, yeah, training, to do. So… bye." She dashes off.

Ignorant of her true motives, Brock comments "Wow, I've never seen Brenda so eager to train. She's really going to be missing out."

Watching Brenda run off, Ash says, "You know, I think I should-"

Brock grins to himself and interrupts, "I guess she's going to miss this museum's prize exhibit, the Meteoric Shards."

Ash gasps, suddenly interested. "Meteoric Shards!? Here?"

Brock nods, knowing that he's won. "Follow me, they're in the back of the museum." He leads him past several more displays.

Displayed in their own room are the Meteoric Shards. They're underneath a glass case, preventing anyone from touching them. Like other Meteoric Shards, they appear to be small silvery rock fragments. There is a surprising amount on display, considering how rare they are.

Ash runs straight over to them as soon as he sees them. "Wow, there's so many. I can't believe that Team Planetary hasn't tried to take them yet. Maybe we should warn the curator that their display is at risk."

Brock shakes his head. "As much as I hate to admit it, we all know that they would never believe us. If Team Planetary haven't taken it yet, then I'm sure there's a good reason for that."

Suddenly the glass of the window above the display shatters. The shock of this causes Ash and Brock to stumble backwards and to the ground.

A figure stands in the windowsill, but the sunlight coming from right behind it makes it hard to identify. A staunch voice orders, "Eatyai, retrieve the Meteoric Shards!"

An Eatyai floats down from the window and uses its psychic powers to remove the glass display case, and then levitate the shards up to the figure above.

Ash states with frustration, "We spoke too soon!" He gets up, looks to the figure and shouts, "You give back those Meteoric Shards right now! They don't belong to you!"

The figure shouts back, "Stay out of this! You don't know a thing about what's going on! Trust me, you don't want to get involved! Things don't work out well for those who get involved!"

Ash shouts back, "I'm already involved! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Pikaaaaaaaa chuuuuuu!" Pikachu launches its attack at the thief, but the thief has already leapt back outside and away from the attack.

Ash beckons to Brock, "Come on, we can't let him get away!" They run for the front door in an attempt to cut off the robber.

Once outside, they circle around the building to the back. Brock spots someone running through the trees up ahead. "He's over there!" They run after him.


Who's that Pokémon!?

Even a robust wrestler will become dizzy and unable to stand when exposed to its 200,000-hertz ultrasonic waves.


Ash and Brock have chased the robber into the woods. They tail the thief, but he's always obscured by bushes and trees, keeping him from being identified. Ash shouts, "Stop, you thief! Give those Meteoric Shards back to their rightful owners!"

The thief shouts back, "That museum has no claim to these shards!"

Ash complains, "Typical Team Planetary attitude, all Meteoric Shards automatically belong to them." He pulls out a Pokéball and throws it. "Eagladiator, fly ahead and cut him off!"

The thief continues to run but is forced to come to stop when Eagladiator lowers down in front of it. He tries to run to the left but is blocked by Brock's Blissey. To the right, he finds Ash's Dashilisk.

This finally allows Ash and Brock to catch up. Pikachu leaps down from Ash's shoulders, ready to battle. Ash shouts, "You're not going anywhere. Give us those Meteoric Shards."

The thief can be seen in full view for the first time. It's a boy wearing a yellow shirt, black shorts, a red backpack, and a black, red, and white hat. It's the Pokémon trainer Brandon. While some may recognize him, Ash and Brock do not.

Brock whispers to Ash, "He doesn't look like your typical Team Planetary agent."

Ash reminds him, "Team Planetary practically controls most of this region. Anyone could be Team Planetary."

Brandon announces, "I refuse to be stopped! You will not take back these Meteoric Shards!" He produces a Pokéball and tosses it. "Go, Solurtle!"

Brandon's ace Pokémon appears. It's an orange and yellow turtle Pokémon standing on its hindlegs. The back of its shell is covered in black panels and on the front of its shell is an orange sun emblem.

Ash takes out his Pokédex to check the Pokémon. "Solurtle, the Solar Powered Pokémon and a Fire and Steel Combo-Type. Solurtle can sustain itself with nothing but energy from the sun. It will spend any extra time it has basking in the sun, absorbing energy for when it needs it. Evolves from Turtsol at level 36."

"So, that's what Turtsol evolves into." He then looks to Pikachu and asks, "You want to battle?"

Pikachu nods. "Chu."

Ash proclaims, "We've let too many Meteoric Shards slip through our fingers! There's no way we'll let you take these ones!"

Brandon wastes no more time and orders, "Solurtle, use Solar Flare!" Solurtle attacks with a stream of super-heated plasma from its mouth.

Ash orders, "Pikachu, dodge it and use Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu leaps to the side then attacks with a large bolt of electricity. "Pikaaaaa chuuuuuuu!"

Brandon counters, "Iron Defense!" Solurtle pulls into its shell and absorbs Pikachu's attack while taking minimal damage. "And now Gyro Ball!" Solurtle's shell begins to spin like a top, and it moves quickly towards Pikachu.

Ash shouts, "Pikachu, deflect it with Iron Tail!"

"Chu, pika!" Pikachu slams its glowing tail into the oncoming Pokémon, deflecting it away, but only momentarily, as Solurtle quickly regains control and moves towards Pikachu once more. Pikachu tries to deflect again, but to a similar result. This continues on, with Solurtle coming in from different directions, and Pikachu doing its best to deflect it each time.

Off to the side, Team Rocket hides and watches. James asks, "Did I hear correctly, those two are battling over Meteoric Shards?"

Jessie asks, "Metaphoric Cards? What the heck's that supposed to be?"

Meowth corrects, "That's Meteoric Shards. Don't you remember, those rocks that Team Imposter seems to want so badly."

A mischievous grin comes to Jessie's face. "In that case, how about we take them for ourselves and give them to The Boss?"

James exclaims, "That's a great idea! If Team Poser wants them so badly, then The Boss will want them for sure!"

Meowth asks, "Why didn't I think of that? It's so obvious!" He thinks for a moment and adds, "We're going to need a robot."

Wobbuffet appears to conclude, "Wobbuffet!"


It's Noibat!


Ash and Brandon continue their fierce clash. Ash orders, "Pikachu, use Electroweb!" Pikachu flings an orb of electricity from its tail, which explodes into web of electricity. Solurtle isn't fast enough to avoid the attack and ends up ensnared by Pikachu's web.

Brandon shows slight concern by this. "Break free with Gyro Ball!" Solurtle spins its shell again, but it remains firmly trapped by the web.

Ash grins, knowing that he has his first solid advantage in this otherwise evenly-matched fight. "Pikachu, use Hallowed Lightning!"

Pikachu begins to charge for its ultimate move. "Pikaaaa…!"

Brandon nods. "You have been a far more powerful opponent than I could have guessed. From here on out, I battle you as an equal! Let's do it, Solurtle!"

Solurtle pulls one of its arms into its shell, and then pushes it back out. When it comes out, it now wears an ornate bracelet with an orange and yellow gemstone on it.

Brock gasps, "That's a Mega Stone! He's going to Mega Evolve Solurtle!"

Brandon holds up his arm, revealing the Key Stone on his Mega Band. He proclaims, "Let's go, Mega Evolution!" In a dazzling display of light, Solurtle begins to transform.

Ash urges, "Pikachu, attack before it can Mega Evolve!"

Pikachu finishes charging and attacks, "Pika, pika, chuuuu!" Pikachu launches an intense orb of electricity from its hands.

The move is countered and cancelled by an intense Solar Beam. Not only that, but Solurtle has broken free from the Electroweb. Now its shell has grown larger, and the number of solar panels have increased. It now wears various pieces of solar panels as armor. The Sun emblem on its chest now has a fiery glow. Also, the light from the Sun seems to have grown more intense, likely the cause for the quick Solar Beam.

Ash gasps. "But how!?"

Brandon states, "I only use Mega Evolution against my most powerful foes. You may be nothing but scum, but I respect your strength as a battler."

Ash retorts, "I'm not the one who's scum! That would be you!"

Brandon shakes his head in disbelief. "So self-righteous, just like all the rest!"

Ash raises an eyebrow, uncertain of what to make of the statement.

Brock whispers to Ash, "Things aren't adding up. This guy sure doesn't sound like a Team Planetary agent, and when was the last time you saw someone from Team Planetary, besides Cosmo, who could Mega Evolve?"

Ash slowly nods. "I know, but he stole the Meteoric Shards. Who else would do that?"

Brandon doesn't wait for Ash and Brock to finish talking. He orders, "Mega Solurtle, use Solar Flare!" Now that it has Mega Evolved, Solurtle's attack is several times larger and more powerful than before.

Ash shouts, "Dodge!" Pikachu drops, belly to the floor, and just barely avoids the attack as its grazes over its back. Once the attack has passed, Ash orders, "Iron Tail!"

Pikachu springs off the floor and falls towards Solurtle as it prepares its Iron Tail. "Chu, pika!"

Brandon counters, "Block it!"

"Sol!" Solurtle raises an arm and uses it to block the Iron Tail.

"Thunderbolt!"

Still in the air right next to Solurtle, Pikachu release an intense jolt of electricity. "Pikaaaaaaa chuuuuu!" Pikachu is so close, that Solurtle has no chance to block or dodge the attack.

"Sol!" While the attack gets a reaction out of Solurtle, it's uncertain how much damage it actually took.

Brandon uses this as an opportunity. "Solurtle, knock it away and use Solar Flare!"

"Lurtle!" While Pikachu is dead in the air after its attack, Solurtle smacks it to the ground and aims a super-charged Solar Flare attack at the grounded Pokémon.

Brock warns, "There's no way Pikachu will be able to jump in time to dodge!"

Inspiration hits Ash. "Pikachu use Iron Tail on the ground!" Pikachu slams its tail into the ground, the recoil of which flings Pikachu upwards, just in time to sail above the incoming attack. Pikachu then manages to twist its body around midair in order to face Solurtle. "Now use multiple Electrowebs!"

Pikachu uses its tail to throw several orbs of electricity, each of which explodes into a net of electricity.

Brandon shouts, "Get rid of them!" Solurtle uses its arms to smack away the first three or so webs, but quickly becomes overwhelmed by the sheer number. Solurtle is pinned down to the ground by several layers of Electroweb.

Ash grins. "Now, this time for real! Hallowed Lightning!" Pikachu begins to charge its ultimate attack once more.

Brandon emphasizes, "Solurtle, you have to break free!" Solurtle struggles to break free, but the multiple layers of Electroweb hold it firm to the ground. Solurtle isn't even able to retract into its shell for a Gyro Ball.

"Pika pika chuuuuuu!" Pikachu once more throws a ball of lightning from its hands. This ball strikes the trapped Solurtle and explodes. Moments later, a massive bolt of lightning strikes Solurtle from above. The attack causes the Electrowebs to fizzle away.

Seeing that Solurtle is free, Brandon immediately orders, "Gyro Ball!" Despite the damage it just took, Solurtle manages to withdraw into its shell and spin itself towards Pikachu. The recoil of Pikachu's attack has left it stunned and unable to move, so Solurtle knocks right into it. "Now pin it down!" Solurtle emerges from it shell just in time to grab Pikachu before it flies too far. It then forcefully pins Pikachu against the ground. "Now Solar Beam!" Solurtle begins to gather solar energy with its solar panels.

Brock gasps. "Ash, Pikachu won't be able withstand such a powerful attack at that close range!"

Ash tensely nods. "I know…" But he doesn't seem to know what to do.

Brandon begins to order, "Solurtle, attack-!"

He's cut-off when an incredible vacuum force begins to suck at the area around Brandon. Brandon skids several inches from this sucking force. He braces himself against it, shouting in confusion, "What's this!?" Suddenly, the Meteoric Shards he held are sucked away from him. Brandon shouts, "No!" as he tries to grab them back but misses. Solurtle cancels its attack and drops Pikachu when it sees its trainer in trouble.

The source of the vacuum is giant purple robot. It's bulbous in design, being composed of many connected spheres in a vaguely humanoid form. Both of its arms have vacuums on their ends, which connect to a tank on its back. On the front of the machine is a giant red R.

Brandon demands, "Who are you!? Are you Team Planetary too!?"

Ash gasps. "Are they Team Planetary!? Isn't that what you are!?"

Brandon now looks to Ash, "Isn't that what you are!?" They stare at each other with shock for a moment.

They're interrupted by Jessie appearing atop the robot and announcing, "Prepare for trouble, this is going to suck!"

James also appears. "Make it double, you're all out of luck!"

"To attract our target with a vacuum!"

"To get what we need without a costume!"

"To take advantage of two feuding twerps!"

"To make a machine that thieves with its slurps!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"

"Meowth, that's right!"

"Wobbuffet!"

"Mime mime!"

Team Rocket conclude their motto in an extravagant pose but realize after a moment that Ash and Brandon are paying no attention to them.

Ash demands, "How are you not Team Planetary!? You stole Meteoric Shards!"

While Brandon demands, "How are you not Team Planetary!? You tried to stop me from taking back these Meteoric Shards!"

They stare at each other for a moment. Brandon nods. "I see the problem. You must not have known that that museum is owned by Team Planetary."

Ash gasps, "You weren't stealing for Team Planetary, you were stealing from them!"

Before they can say anymore, Jessie interjects, "Excuse me, are you ignoring us!?"

James shouts angrily, "How rude can you get!? We're supposed to be the center of attention when we steal from you!"

Meowth adds, "Learn some manners!"

Ash and Brandon now focus their attention on Team Rocket. Brandon shouts, "I have a friend who needs those Meteoric Shards to survive! Give them back! This is your only warning!"

Jessie, James, and Meowth crack up. Wobbuffet appears in order to join them in laughter. James asks, "Who is this new twerp?"

Meowth mocks, "'This is your only warning!' Ha! You must have a mighty high opinion of yourself!"

Brandon clenches his fist in frustration.

Ash shouts, "You heard him! He has a friend that needs those! Give them back now!"

Brandon looks to Ash in surprise. He thinks, Only moments ago he was staunchly opposing me, but now he's trying to help me, no questions asked. He fiercely shakes his head. No, I can't let anyone else get involved. With no further warning, Brandon orders, "Solurtle, use Solar Flare!"

"Sooooool!" Solurtle attacks Team Rocket's robot.

Team Rocket quickly transition into action and drop into their robot's cockpit. The robot raises one of its vacuum arms and sucks in the plasma from the attack.

Meowth shouts, "Right back at you!" The robot raises its other arm, and expels Solurtle's attack back at its source.

Ash now leaps in and orders, "Pikachu, Iron Tail!"

"Chu, pika!" Pikachu leaps in front of Solurtle and Brandon, and uses Iron Tail to split the incoming attack.

Brandon nods at Ash, "Thanks." Then his tone suddenly changes. "But please, stay out of this. I'm the one who needs the Meteoric Shards. This is my problem, and I need to solve this alone."

Ash won't except this. "No way. Maybe the shards are your problem, but Team Rocket is mine. We're in this one together. Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Pikaaaaa chuuuuuu!"

James declares, "Oh no you don't!" Team Rocket's machine vacuums up a large amount of dirt, and then expels it at Pikachu. The insulating earth cancels Pikachu's electric attack.

Ash looks to Brandon and advises, "The only way to stop that thing is to combine our attacks! We have to work together!"

Brandon clenches both of his fists and stares at Ash. The combination of determination and innocence on Ash's face forces Brandon to think of Chris, the boy who traveled with him for some time. Chris' words echo through his mind. "We have to work together…" Brandon clenches his fists harder.

He takes another look to Team Rocket and sees the Meteoric Shards floating in the holding tank. He as a flashback to a strange blue and silver Pokémon, Gravisaac, lying helplessly on the floor, its various body segments scattered in disarray. Finally, Brandon nods. "Okay, we attack together."

"Great! Pikachu, Thunderbolt again!"

"Pikaaaaa chuuuuuu!"

Jessie taunts, "Not going to work!" Once more, the robot vacuums up dirt to repel Pikachu's attack with.

Now Brandon orders, "Solurtle, use Solar Flare on the dirt!"

"Sooooool!" While Team Rocket is expelling dirt, they aren't able to use the vacuum on this second attack. Solurtle's Mega-powered Solar Flare is able to melt right through the dirt, causing it to fall out of the way. This leaves a clear path for Pikachu's electricity.

Team Rocket's eyes widen as they realize their defense has been bested. Pikachu's electricity hits their robot, causing it spasm about.

"Pikachu!"

"Solurtle!"

"Iron Tail!"

"Gyro Ball!"

Both Pokémon together leap at the holding tank on the back of the robot and attack it together, causing it shatter. Pikachu leaps into the hole they create and retrieves the shards. After it hands the shards to Solurtle, Ash shouts, "One last Thunderbolt!"

"Pikachu turns around and aims for the hole. "Pikaaaaaa chuuuuuuuu!" Now without any of the robot's outer insulation to block it, the electricity causes the entire thing to explode. Team Rocket is sent flying upwards.

While soaring through the sky, Jessie shouts in anger, "This vacuum robot plan really sucked!"

Meowth explains, "I've had this plan for a while, just collecting dust."

James states, "I really thought we would clean house with it."

They all shout together, "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!"

Back on the ground, Ash celebrates, "Yeah, we did it!"

Brandon is more somber. Solurtle hands him the Meteoric Shards, and then reverts back to its base form.

Ash notices him staring somberly at the shards. He approaches and asks, "What do you need those shards so badly for?"

Brandon looks up to him. "What I said before is still true. The less you know, the better. You don't want to get involved with what I'm stuck in."

Ash objects, "I'm already involved. The fact that I chased you out here should prove that. My friends and I have been battling against Team Planetary for a while now. I can tell that you have too."

Brandon shakes his head. "What I'm involved in is at a whole different level. Please, just leave it alone."

Ash nods. "Okay, as long as you don't leave it alone."

Brandon is confused. "What?"

"I mean, don't do this alone. I've been able to fight Team Planetary because I have friends backing me up. You need that too."

Brandon looks over Ash with curiosity. "What's your name?"

"I'm Ash Ketchum. You?"

"I'm Brandon." He looks up towards the sky. "I used to have friends at my side, but that just isn't an option anymore. I walk this path alone. Bye, Ash." With that, he begins to walk away.

Ash calls to him, "No one should ever walk a path alone. That's how you get lost."

Brandon stops for a moment, as if to consider these words, but then wordlessly continues on his way.

Suddenly from behind them, Brenda calls out, "Hey guys! I finally found you! I heard about the robbery and figured you must have tried to stop it!" She approaches Ash and Brock, who are watching Brandon as he walks out of sight. Brenda asks, "Hey, isn't that Brandon? I know him!"

Ash asks, "You do?"

"Yeah, he was my neighbor in Launch Town. They say he's one of the strongest trainers in the Tenno Region."

Ash's eyes widen. "Strongest trainer in Tenno? Huh."

Brandon walks out of sight.

Two trainers, two completely separate paths. Today those paths crossed for the first time. Will their paths move them away from each other once more, or are they destined to meet again? Find out, as the journey continues.

To Be Continued…


In case you didn't get my subtle hint earlier, if you haven't already, you should probably read the Cosmic Chronicles, which tells the story of Brandon. Find it on the Cosmic Quest Official Website.