If not in content, this episode is dedicated to the release of Scarlet and Violet in spirit.
Episode 149: Planetary Crisis Part 6: Breaking and Mentoring
Ash bursts through a door into what looks to be a clandestine laboratory. Four pods filled with a mysterious fluid line the far wall. Cosmo stands in front of them, facing Ash.
Ash shouts, "Cosmo! This ends now! Free the Cosmic Guardians and Velocivity!"
Cosmo just laughs. "You're too late, Ash. Team Planetary has already gotten what they needed from those pathetic excuses for Legendary Pokémon."
"Where are they!?"
Cosmo holds his arms up in a grandiose gesture towards the pods. "What do you think used to be in those pods?"
Ash steps back in horror. "No…"
"You've lost, Ash."
"No!"
Ash wakes up screaming, "No!"
Brock grabs him by the shoulder. "Ash, be quiet. We're hiding, remember?"
Ash pants as he slowly calms down. He looks around. He, Brock, and Brenda are still hiding from Team Planetary in an alley of Kanaveral City. The dim light of dawn lights the surroundings. "Sorry. I had a nightmare."
Brenda was also woken up by Ash. She rubs the sleep from her eyes and asks, "What was it?"
"It was that I made it into Planetary HQ to rescue the Cosmic Guardians and Velocivity, but I was too late…" He looks to Brock. "Brock, what if we are already too late? What if we can't save them?"
Brock shakes his head. "Don't think like that, Ash. We can't afford to think like that."
"You're right. There's too much at stake." He stands up and looks out across the city at Planetary HQ. "We better getting moving. We have less than twenty-four hours until the rocket launch."
Our heroes have been through a lot lately, but it's far from over. They may have bested Team Rocket, but their ultimate foe of Team Planetary still remains. A crisis still looms…
"Cosmo, don't do this. It isn't right. This isn't what I wanted for you."
Cosmo bolts up in his bed. The voice from his dream has him unsettled. "Father…" He gets up from bed. He seems to have slept in his uniform and doesn't need to get dressed. He picks up a data chip from his desk and stares intensely at it.
The last words his father spoke to him echo through his head. "Don't worry, Cosmo, there is nothing to fear."
Cosmo drops the chip and turns to look out his window. Off in the distance he can see the Space Shuttle Rayquaza positioned on the launch pad and ready for its quickly upcoming liftoff. He clenches his eyes shut and says to himself, "There is everything to fear. The world faces a danger the likes of which it can't imagine. We are its only hope. You tried it your idealistic way and failed to save the world. Now it's my turn. I will save the world the only way I know how. I will be stronger than you ever were. I will make the decisions that you were too weak to make. I refuse to let this world die for your idealism."
He turns around. "Time to get back to work." He leaves his room.
Brandon watches Chris, still on duty as a Planetary guard, from hiding. He says under his breath, "It was for the better. It's what I had to do. I couldn't put him, or anyone else, in danger for my mission. But I can't leave him like this. I can't let Team Planetary manipulate him to do evil." Brandon takes a deep breath to ready himself and steps out from hiding. "Chris, we need to talk."
Chris turns around with surprise. He's already reaching for the radio on his belt to call for reinforcements. "Who's there?" But by the time he's done turning, Brandon has already disappeared back into hiding. "Huh? Hello? Anybody there?" When there's no response, he looks up to Sporout and asks, "Did you see anybody?"
Sporout gives a noncommittal shrug. "Spore."
Chris shrugs back. "Oh well."
Meanwhile, Brandon is hiding behind a car parked on the side of road, only a few feet away from Chris. He's breathing frantically with another panic attack. He whispers to himself, "He was going to report me… He's part of Team Planetary now…and it's all my fault…" He peeks back around the car at Chris, who is returning to his guard duty. "I need to face him… But can I…?"
Ash, Brock, and Brenda stare from a hiding place at the great tower of Planetary HQ. Even with Team Rocket gone, a large contingent of Planetary Grunts stand guard and allow no one near the building.
An alley Sprigatito causes a trashcan to topple near them, drawing their attention for just a second.
Once they're certain the trash can didn't alert the guards, Brenda asks, "How are we supposed to get in?"
Brock shakes his head. "I don't know. It looks like they're guarding it from all angles."
Ash sighs. "I wonder if Braydon or Brandon had any more luck."
Brenda nods in agreement. "If only there was some way we could get in contact with Braydon again. He would have a list of plans to get in."
Ash thinks this over. "Wait a second. We may not be able to send a message, but those guys can." He points to the guards.
Brock asks, "What do you mean?"
"They're all in radio communication with each other, and they've probably got to report anything unusual they see. If Braydon is hiding somewhere else and doing the same thing we are, he would be able to overhear the report and know something is going on and where it happened."
Brenda points out, "But we can't afford one of us getting noticed. Team Planetary is specifically looking for us. How would we alert the guards without letting them know it's us, while still having them send a message that would let Braydon know it's us?"
Ash grins and takes a glance at the Sprigatito rummaging through the contents of the toppled trashcan. "They may be looking for three kids, but a Pokémon could get away much easier. And there's one Pokémon that Braydon would recognize right away, right buddy?"
Pikachu looks up to Ash and grins confidently back at him. "Pi."
A little later, and they're all ready to go. Ash whispers, "Do it, Pikachu," before retreating deeper into the alley and hiding.
Pikachu pushes a trash bin over. It clatters into the street.
Two Planetary Grunts take notice. One says into a radio, "I've got activity on the Minior Avenue alleyway. I'm investigating."
A voice responds, "Copy that."
The grunt crosses the street and cautiously pokes the trashcan with his foot. Pikachu runs out and escapes into the alley where Ash hid.
The grunt chuckles. "Cancel that, it was just a Pikachu." He puts the trashcan back upright and returns to his post.
Elsewhere, Braydon is also on a stakeout to observe the grunts guarding Planetary HQ. Over their radios, he hears, "…it was just a Pikachu."
Braydon says to himself, "A Pikachu? That has to be Ash." He prepares to move.
Braydon's not the only one who was listening. In yet another hiding spot near Planetary HQ, Brandon sits contemplatively. He doesn't look like he's certain of what he wants to do, but then he hears, "…it was just a Pikachu."
His eyes widen. "Ash…"
Ash's words play in his head. "You can't do this without friends at your side."
Brandon takes a deep breath as he looks back towards Chris. "I need to face Chris…but I can't bring myself to do it alone… Maybe Ash was right… I could use a friend…" He continues to stare at Chris. "I'm not strong enough to face him alone…"
Braydon looks around to make sure that no one's looking, then runs into the alley that Ash was hiding in. He whispers, "Ash, you there?"
Ash, Brock, and Brenda come out into sight. Ash breathes a sigh of relief. "Boy, am I glad to see you, Braydon."
Braydon nods in agreement. "It's good to see you too, Ash."
Brenda asks, "So, I take it that you couldn't make it into Planetary HQ?"
Braydon shakes his head. "No. They've locked down everything too tightly. It seems like the only way in would be for one of them to let us in."
Brock asks, "What about your brother? Could Leo help us in?"
"No way. He was clear. He would get us here, but otherwise we're on our own. So, unless someone else knows someone working for Team Planetary, that desperate excuse for a plan is a bust."
"I know someone." Brandon approaches the group.
Ash gasps. "Brandon! You got my signal too?"
Braydon stares dumbfounded at Brandon. "You…" he says under his breath.
Brandon takes a deep breath. "Hi, Braydon."
"You."
"Ash questions, "You guys know each other?"
Braydon shouts, "You!" He leaps at Brandon and tackles him to the ground. "You arrogant, self-absorbed jerk! How could you do that to him!? He worshipped you and you repaid him by abandoning him! You're a monster!"
Brandon makes no attempt to fight back. He says remorsefully, "I know…"
"You know!? Is that all you have to say on the matter!?"
He's about ready to swing a fist at Brandon when Ash restrains his arms and pulls him away from Brandon. "Braydon! Get a grip! What are you doing!?"
Braydon calms down, but only a little. He stares daggers at Brandon, who fails to return any look. "I used to call him my friend. But then he showed who he really was."
Ash looks to Brandon. "What's he talking about, Brandon?"
Brandon takes a deep breath. "The greatest mistake I ever made. And now I need your help to fix it."
"Fix it!? How are you supposed to fix it!?"
"He's here."
"What?" Braydon calms down in his confusion.
"Chris is here."
Ash double takes. "Chris? The boy with amnesia?"
Brandon glances at Ash in surprise. "You know him?"
"We tried to help him retrieve his memories. What do you mean he's here?"
"Chris has joined Team Planetary. He's one of the grunts guarding their HQ.
Everyone goes silent. After several moments, Braydon says with frustration, "You realize this is your fault, don't you? Without his memories of you, Chris is back to being the gullible kid who idolized Team Planetary." He crosses his arms and stares judgmentally at Brandon.
Brandon nods. "Yes. It is my fault."
Brenda asks with surprise, "You're the reason Chris had amnesia?"
Brandon answers her question by failing to deny it.
Ash takes a deep breath and admits, "It's not only your fault, Brandon. I inspired and encouraged Chris to feel better about himself by helping other people. He probably figured joining Team Planetary was the best way to do that."
Braydon crosses his arms and looks away from Ash and Brandon. "You know whose fault it isn't? Mine. I warned you not to do it, but you did it anyways. You took the communicator we were talking on right out of your ear and stomped on it. That was the last time I heard a single word from you."
Brandon sighs. "Braydon, I'm sorry. I cut you out because there was no other way. It was too dangerous."
"Too dangerous for me? Do you forget that I'm the one who first goaded you into fighting against Team Planetary? If anything, this should have been my crusade, not yours."
"No, not too dangerous for you. I know you could have handled it. It was Chris I was worried about. But I also knew that there was no way you would let me do what had to be done, so I had to cut you out as well."
Ash looks Brandon over closely. "So, I wasn't wrong. You really did have friends once."
Braydon asserts, "Emphasis on the once."
Brandon takes a deep breath. "Braydon, we've been friends for as long as I can remember. I made a mistake. I need your help to fix it."
Braydon sighs. "Fine. But I'm doing this to help the kid, not you."
"Thank you for not letting my mistake harm him."
Ash and Braydon are in the alley where Brandon last saw Chris. Braydon asks, "Do you think this will work?"
Ash responds, "I only met Chris once, but I would like to think that he knows me better than to believe Team Planetary's propaganda. I can get him to talk to you and Brandon to jog his memories. Even if he doesn't get his memories back, we might be able convince him that Team Planetary is wrong."
Braydon nods. "We can only hope so." He shakes his head in dismay. He asks beneath his breath, "Brandon, why would you do this to him…?"
Ash glances at Braydon. "You and Brandon were good friends, weren't you?"
"We were more than friends. We were rivals."
Ash nods. He immediately understands the bonds Braydon speaks of. "A good rival is as important as a good friend. What was the rivalry like?"
"We were always competing. And, if I'm being honest, he was always beating me. We would drive each other to be the best we could. You remember how I was in last year's Tenno League finals?" Ash nods. "Brandon was the one who beat me. Since then, it's felt like he's surpassed me in every way. I used to be able to keep up with him, but since that battle I haven't even come close. Now he's known as one of the greatest trainers in Tenno, and a favorite to be the next Tenno Champion, and I'm working just to enter the Tenno League for a second time." He sighs. "I pretend to still be his equal, but the truth is that he's simply in a different league from me."
"Don't be so hard on yourself. You're a really strong trainer. One of the strongest I've met."
"Maybe so. But Brandon's stronger. That's just the plain fact."
"Even after everything with Chris, you still care about your rivalry, don't you?"
Braydon gives an exasperated sigh. "I like to think I don't care about anything involving him. But you're right. Even when I was tackling him to the ground in anger, it felt good because I was one-upping him. As much as I would like to leave him behind, I can't."
"And you shouldn't. The bonds between rivals are unbreakable. That makes him one of the most important people in your life. He's trying to make amends now. You should try to forgive him."
Braydon looks away. "I don't know if I have it in me."
"I think you do. You want to know how I know?"
"How?"
"Because you're my rival too. Although not as strong, we share a similar bond. I know how you think."
Braydon chuckles. "Then you know me better than I do." Then something catches his eyes. "Look! There he is! And he's alone!"
Ash takes a deep breath. "Okay. Here's to hoping he doesn't turn me in." Ash steps out into the open. "Hey Chris, how you doing?"
Chris pivots around and gasps. "You!"
Ash grins at him. "That's no way to great a friend."
"You're a criminal!"
Ash sighs. "Come on, Chris. You know me better than that. Remember how we worked together to help find the cause of that town's mass amnesia? Would a criminal do that?"
Chris is in a frantic state. "No…but Team Planetary says…"
"Team Planetary is lying to you. If I knew you were going to join them when you said you wanted to help people, I would have told you the truth then. Team Planetary are the bad guys."
Chris' eyes widen. "No. That's not possible… Team Planetary are good…" He looks down to the uniform he wears and says to himself, "But…something about this uniform fills me with fear…"
"That's your memories warning you. You used to know the truth."
"Stop!" he suddenly shouts. "You're lying to me! You're trying to trick me!" He moves to grab the radio at his belt. "You're a criminal!"
"Don't do it, Chris. Team Planetary are the only criminals here."
Chris hesitates. "No!" He grabs the radio.
"Chris, stop."
Chris freezes. He whispers, "I know that voice…"
Brandon has appeared behind Chris. "You don't want to do this, Chris. I know…because…because…" He is unable to finish his sentence.
Chris slowly turns around to look at Brandon. "You're the one from before… How do I know you?" He pounds fists into his head in a frustrated attempt to jog his memory. This startles the Sporout lounging atop it. "How do I know you!?" He suddenly puts the radio to his mouth. "If you're working with this criminal, then you're a criminal too!"
"Report us to Team Planetary if that is what you feel you must do. But I know you won't."
"How!? How would you know something like that!?"
"Because…" He takes a long pause followed by a deep breath. "Because I am your friend, and you are mine. I've never admitted that before, but it is the truth."
"Friend…?" Chris drops the radio.
"Look at me, Chris. Look me in the eyes and remember me."
Chris' eyes widen. "Br-Br-Brandon…"
Brandon grins. "I could never apologize for what I did to you. For what I put you—"
He's cut off by Chris running at him and hugging him tightly. He sobs, "I forgive you!"
"You…what…?"
"I remember everything now…and I forgive you…"
"But how…?"
You were looking out for me. How could I blame you for trying to help friend?"
Brandon is too astounded to make any sort of move. But then he wraps his own hands around Chris. "Thank you…my friend…"
Braydon steps forward. "Not to spoil the moment or anything, but now that you've got your memory back, we've got a favor to ask you."
Who's that Pokémon!?
It hides inside sturdy treasure chests. When it senses a person or Pokémon draw near, it ambushes them. It then uses ghost energy to control its target, forcing them to collect coins. It has often been colloquially referred to as Paldean Abyssoul.
Two Planetary Grunts stand guard in front of the main entrance to Planetary HQ. They look rather bored.
Chris runs up to them and shouts, "Quickly! The back of the building! The fugitives are there! They destroyed all our radios!"
One grunt nods quickly. "On our way!" They both run as one reports, "All units! We have a confirmed fugitive sighting in sector four! I repeat…"
With the grunts gone, Ash, Brock, Brenda, Braydon, and Brandon are able to walk straight across the street.
Braydon asks, "Chris, are you sure there won't be anyone inside?"
"Not in the main lobby, at least. Without any public access, there's no reason for anyone to be in there. Once you get to the restricted floors, that will change."
Ash nods. "That's fine. That's all we need."
Chris hands Braydon a key card. "Take this. It will allow you access to the upper floors. Just stay away from the elevators, as those will be more closely watched. Use the stairs."
Braydon looks at Chris for a second in confusion. "What about you? Aren't you coming?"
Chris shakes his head. "No. I'm more helpful to you guys out here. I can keep the guards out of the building, and that will be that many less grunts for you to worry about on your way up."
Brandon manages a small smile at Chris. "Thank you for not abandoning me, despite me having done that to you. You are a true friend."
Chris returns a goofy grin. "What are friends for? Oh, and…in your face! I am your friend! Told you so!" He laughs at Brandon.
Brandon at first is annoyed, but then decides to let it go.
Brenda urges, "Come on guys, let's get moving.
Ash nods. "Right." He, Brock, Brenda, Brandon, and Braydon run into the building.
It's Gimmighoul!
Jessie, James, and Meowth hide on the outskirts of Team Planetary's rocket launch site, the Cape Space Center. The stare with awe at the massive and shining space shuttle being prepped for launch before them.
Jessie shakes her head in sudden annoyance. "The gall of those copycats. Ripping off our space motif wasn't enough for them. They had to go and get themselves a rocket too."
James crosses his arms in frustration. "If that's not a blatant breach of copyright laws, I don't know what it."
Meowth agrees, "Even though copyright doesn't work that way, it's still wrong. But it doesn't matter. We capture that rocket, and we will have won the war for The Boss."
James agrees, "Clearly that rocket is of great strategic value. The team that controls it will control Tenno."
Jessie concludes, "So capturing the rocket in the name of Team Rocket means capturing Tenno in the name of Team Rocket. How fitting that a rocket will be Team Rocket's victory gambit."
Wobbuffet agrees, "Wobbuffet!"
James ponders, "I wonder how The Boss and the rest of the Giovanni Garrison are faring right now?"
Meowth points out, "That's not our concern. Let them do their thing, and we'll do ours. Together, we'll make sure all of Tenno knows the great name of Team Rocket."
They suddenly scramble to duck and hide when a scientist and their Fuecoco walk by on their way to the launchpad.
The group of heroes climbs up a flight of stairs. According to a sign on the wall, they're on the thirty-first floor. While Ash, Braydon, and Brandon still look just as energetic as before, the stairs are wearing on Brock and Brenda. Both look exhausted.
Ash urges, "Come on guys, we can't slow down."
Brenda complains, "Ash, I haven't climbed this many stairs in my life."
Ash is about to object to her complaint when everyone freezes. From up above them, they can hear two people talking. There's nowhere to hide, and they're not near enough a door to leave the stairwell.
But then a maintenance hatch pops open and a voice urges, "In here."
The group briefly trades glances, then jump into the hatch just before it closes and two Planetary Grunts walk by.
Inside the dark of the maintenance shaft, Brock asks, "Hello? Who was that?"
"It was me." A screen on the wall activates, and on it, a silhouetted figure with a glowing eye appears.
Ash gasps. "M31! It's you!"
"Yes, it is I."
Braydon stares at the screen. "So, this is our mysterious benefactor. Just who are you?"
"Who I am is not important. All that matters is that Team Planetary is stopped. I have remotely hacked into their systems. That is how I speak to you now."
Braydon is surprised. "You hacked into their main systems? How'd you manage that? I've been trying that for years!"
"I have resources at my disposal you wouldn't imagine. That, and backdoor access. But once again, I am of no concern. Ash, you have to find Cosmo. He is the key."
Ash asks, "What do you mean?"
"Cosmo is the foundation upon which everything is built. If you can convince him of the wrongness of his mission, everything else will crumble."
"Convince him? You clearly don't know Cosmo. That's impossible."
"Perhaps I don't know him as I should, but I know him well enough. He will sway." M31 pauses. "His memories of his father are the key."
Braydon thinks back to the recording left to him by his father. "Cosmo's father died on the same mission as mine. Both of them fought to keep Team Planetary moral against Team Interplanetary. If we revealed that truth to him, we might sway him."
Brandon gasps. "Did you say Team Interplanetary…?"
Braydon shoots Brandon a knowing smile.
Ash nods. "It could work. But Cosmo seems so loyal to Team Planetary. I have my doubts."
M31 sighs. "Unfortunately, I do as well. But we have no other choices. Find Cosmo. Remind him of who he really is. I'll help you out where I can. I'm trusting you."
Ash grins. "Don't worry. One way or another, we'll stop Team Planetary and rescue Velocivity. I promise."
"And I believe in your promise. You'll find Cosmo on the floor you're on now. Thank you, Ash." M31 disappears from the screen. The maintenance hatch slides open again.
Ash turns to it. "You heard him, guys. Let's go find Cosmo."
Brenda asks, "But even if we know he's on this floor, how will we find him while remaining hidden? It's bound to be swarming with Planetary thugs out there."
Ash grins. "The time for all this sneaking and hiding is finally over. It's time to announce our presence. If Cosmo's near, he'll be the first to greet us."
Braydon asks, "How do you know that?"
"Because he's my rival."
Ash steps out into the open. The room is filled with Planetary Grunts. He announces, "Tenno's most wanted is here! Tell Cosmo that I'm waiting for him!" Judging by the light coming through the windows, it's now night again and the entire day had been spent with their attempts to enter Planetary HQ.
His entry quickly gets the attention of everyone. Some flee, some prepare for battle, and some make reports.
One grunt announces, "You're under arrest!"
But then Cosmo steps into the room. "No, I'll handle this. Clear the room!" At his command, everyone scatters and leaves. He stares at Ash from across the room. "You were dumb to come here. But then again, only someone who lacks intelligence would try to stop the saving of the world."
Ash shakes his head. "You and I both know that what Team Planetary is doing is wrong, regardless of your notions of grandeur. Your father knew it too."
Cosmo looks to Ash with shock and disgust. "What do you know of my father?"
Braydon steps forward next to Ash. "My father was Perseus! He was your father's best friend! They both perished trying to stop Team Planetary from becoming what it is today!"
Ash stresses, "Your father was a real hero! He tried to save the world without harming others! He put only himself at risk! What would he have thought about what you're doing!?"
Cosmo shouts back angrily, "My father was nothing but an idealistic fool! I don't care what he would have thought!"
Braydon demands, "How could you say that!? He gave his life for his ideals!"
"And that's what made him a fool. He was too weak to do what needed to be done."
Ash insists, "Do what your father would have wanted. Free the Cosmic Guardians and Velocivity!"
Cosmo crosses his arms. "You care so much about those Pokémon. How about you come and see them for yourself."
Ash gasps. "They're here?"
"Yes. They're on the floor above us. I won't stop you from going there." He exits the room without another word.
But when Ash quickly turns back to the stairs, he finds Orion and Cygnus have blocked their way. Their Meteormight and Eatyai are already our and ready for battle.
Orion laughs. "The kid may not try to stop you, but he didn't say anything about us!" He laughs at the top of his lungs.
Cygnus rolls her eyes. "I have much more important tasks to be taking care of right now. Let's get this done with."
They both, in their own way, order, "Attack."
Meteormight lunges forward with Meteor Slam, while Eatyai uses Psybeam.
Ash gasps, but before the attacks can hit him, Brock's Meteorfight intercepts Meteormight with its own Meteor Slam, while Brenda's Glitterfly uses Signal Beam to intercept the Psybeam.
Brock asserts, "You three go to the next floor. Brenda and I will take care of business here."
Brenda nods. "We've got this." She adds, "Plus, I don't think I could climb another stair."
With the Planetary Commanders' Pokémon occupied, Ash, Braydon, and Brandon are able to make a dash for the stairs.
Orion shouts, "Hey! Get back here!"
Brock shouts, "Your fight is with me! Meteorfight, use Rock Blast!"
"Meteoooooor!"
Orion's attention is forced back to Brock.
Ash, Braydon, and Brandon run up the stairs as fast as they can, but at the next level, they find Sirius and Gigastar standing in their way. "I let you go last time. I will not allow it again."
Ash complains, "Shoot! There's no way around him!"
Brandon steps forward. "We'll just have to make a way. Go, Solurtle!"
"Lurtle!"
"Use Solar Flare!" Gigastar prepares for an attack, but Solurtle instead melts a hole through the wall next to Sirius, creating an additional entrance to the room beyond.
Brandon urges, "You two go! I'll keep him off your tail."
Braydon asks with surprise, "Brandon…are you sure? Isn't this your crusade?"
"It was. But now I have friends who I trust to see it out. I don't walk this path alone."
Braydon can't help but grin at his long-time friend and rival. "Okay. You can count on us, my friend. Now I'm really looking forward to our next rematch."
"Me too."
Sirius shouts, "Stop!" as Ash and Braydon sprint for the makeshift exit.
Brandon shouts, "Solurtle, show him our full power! Mega Evolution!"
In a show of lights, Solurtle Mega Evolves into Mega Solurtle. Sirius is no longer able to afford Ash and Braydon any attention.
The last Ash and Braydon can see of the battle as they escape into the next room is the intense red light of the two fire Pokémon's attacks.
Then they come to a stop. They find themselves in a lab which is eerily similar to the one in Ash's nightmare. And just like in his nightmare, Cosmo stands across the room from him.
"I bet you didn't account for the fact that, unlike you, I have friends to back me up! Your tactics couldn't stop me."
Cosmo laughs. "On the contrary, I was hoping you would make it here. I wanted to see the look on your face when you saw the Pokémon you failed to protect!"
For the first time, Ash realizes that, just as in his dream, surrounding Cosmo is four pods filled with a mysterious fluid. But, unlike his dream, the pods are still full. They contain Ryusei, Showakusei, Suisei, and Velocivity. The Pokémon all look to be in intense pain.
Ash clenches his fist. "You're a monster!"
"No! I simply have vision! I can see past the here and now! I know what needs to be done, and I'm willing to do it! That is why I am strong where my father was weak!"
Braydon demands, "Let them go!"
"Why should I? I let them go and the world will burn. What is the life of these four Pokémon when measured against the world?"
Ash shouts in anger, "It doesn't work that way! You can't trade lives!"
"Spoken like an ignorant fool." He pulls out a Pokéball. "It is time that I put a stop to you once and for all."
Braydon pulls out a Pokéball. He's eager to battle.
But Ash puts an arm out in front him. "No. This battle has to be mine."
Braydon nods in understanding and steps back. "Of course. You've got this, Ash."
Ash steps forward as Pikachu jumps from his shoulders.
Cosmo throws his Pokéball. "Ferntress, it's time to end this!" His Ferntress appears. A Mega Stone is affixed to a brace around its back fern.
Ash gasps at seeing this. For the first time, he also notes that Cosmo wears a Key Stone embedded in his belt buckle.
Cosmo notices Ash's gaze. "Yes, a little souvenir from our time in the Den of Mega Evolution. It makes us more powerful than ever. You could barely stand against us without Mega Evolution. How will you fare now?" He taps a finger to his Key Stone. "Ferntress, Mega Evolve! Become Mega Ferntress!"
Rays of rainbow light burst out from Cosmo's Keystone and connect to similar rays from Ferntress' Mega Stone. Ferntress becomes enveloped in the light and emerges as Mega Ferntress. "Feeeeeerntress!
Ash looks down to Pikachu. "Buddy, we've fought these two over and over again. But this time, it's different. This time everything is on the line. Let's give it everything we've got."
"Pik."
"Pikachu, use Iron Tail!"
"Ferntress, Foliage Fortress!"
Pikachu rushes at Ferntress to deliver its most power Iron Tail. "Chu, pika!"
But Ferntress easily blocks the attack with a shield made of leaves grown from its body.
"Switch to Bulldoze!" Ferntress slams its entire body into Pikachu, sending Ash's Pokémon hurtling back and crashing into nearby computer equipment. "Now, Leaf Storm!"
"Feeeeern!" Ferntress aims a vortex of swirling leaves at the downed Pikachu.
"Pikachu, get out of there with Quick Attack!"
"Pik!" Pikachu is able to recover just in time to get out of the way. Using its speed, it continues at Ferntress and rams into the opponent Pokémon. But this only forces Ferntress back an inch.
"Switch to Iron Tail!"
"Chu, pika!"
Still committed to its Leaf Storm, Ferntress is unable to block the Iron Tail. Unlike the Quick Attack, this strike forces Ferntress to stumble back.
"Now, Electroweb!"
Having used the force of its own Iron Tail to lunge up, Pikachu now launches the Electroweb from above. "Chu pikaaaaa chu!" The web tangles around Ferntress before the lumbering Pokémon can recover its balance.
Cosmo instinctively shouts in concern, "Ferntress!"
Ash grins as he remembers something. "Cosmo, I used to think you could never possibly care for Ferntress. You proved me wrong. You proved to me that it was possible for you to care for someone else. But you weren't just proving that you cared for Ferntress, you were proving that you had a heart! That's why I know that no matter what you say, you still care about your father!"
"Shut up! I don't care about him at all!"
"That's what someone without a heart would say. That's not you, Cosmo. Embrace your heart!" As points to the pod closest to Cosmo, the one containing Ryusei. "What if it was Ferntress in one of those things? How would you feel then?"
Cosmo is about to shout a response but hesitates for just a split second. Then he shouts, "I would do what I need to do to save the world! Ferntress, get out of there!"
Ferntress manages to rip its way out of the Electroweb with Leaf Storm.
"I don't think you would! You care too much! You're not the monster Team Planetary has tried to make you!"
"I am strong because of Team Planetary! Because of Polaris! Ferntress, use Bulldoze!" Ferntress once again plows itself at Pikachu.
"Dodge it, Pikachu!" Pikachu manages to jump away at the last second, causing Ferntress to instead crash into the wall directly behind it. "Electroweb!" Pikachu's quick Electroweb pins Ferntress against the wall. Ash looks back to Cosmo. "Cosmo, I know you can sense what's in my heart just as much I can what's in yours. When two rivals battle, they connect on a deep level. Read my heart! See what is just! Realize what you have to do!" He looks back to Pikachu. "Iron Tail, rapid fire!"
"Chu, pika! Chu, pika! Chu, pika!" Pikachu unleashes a series of Iron Tails across Ferntress' back. The fortress Pokémon looks to be in pain, but stands firm and refuses to cry out.
"Polaris has been manipulating you! You've seen how he manipulates Tenno! You've seen how everybody trusts him, even as he works behind their backs! Think, Cosmo! Think! He's doing the same to you!"
"No! Polaris was there for me when no one else was! He was willing to tell me the truth when no one else would! He was my true father!" Even as Cosmo says this with utter conviction, he sees the pain being inflicted to his partner, and can't help but glance at Ryusei's pod and see the pain that the Cosmic Guardian is in.
"Your father—your real father—was not weak. He had the strength to sacrifice himself to save others. He was stronger than any of us."
"You hypocrite! Why is it okay for my father to sacrifice himself, but not for me to sacrifice the Cosmic Guardians!? Either way a sacrifice is made!"
"But your father chose for himself! The Cosmic Guardians have no say in the matter! That's the difference!"
Cosmo spots that Pikachu has slowed on its Iron Tails. "Ferntress, now!" Ferntress was simply biding it times for the right opportunity. It pushes out from the wall and rips away the Electroweb. As it does, it pivots around, grabs Pikachu out from the air, and slams it into the ground. Pikachu is crushed under the tremendous weight of the Pokémon.
"Pikachu!"
"Do you not offer your supposed best friend as sacrifice right now in this very battle? Sacrificing others is the way of a Pokémon trainer!"
Ash looks at Cosmo with pity. "If you truly think that, then you're not a trainer at all. Trainers work together with their Pokémon and make mutual sacrifices for each other. That is why trainers help to make this world a better place. There is no force. There is no coercion. Only cooperation. Pikachu, Hallowed Lightning."
Pikachu's muffled voice shouts, "Pika, pika, chuuuuuu!"
Mighty lightning strikes down from above. As a Ground-Type, Ferntress may be immune to damage from electrical attacks, but the sheer force of the immense lightning bolt is enough to knock it aside and free Pikachu.
"Now, quickly! Iron Tail!" As the lightning still courses down from above, Pikachu turns its tail to metal. The metallic tail absorbs the electricity into it and courses with its energy. "Witness the power of our cooperation! Witness the power of our willingness to sacrifice ourselves to help others! Pikachu, go!" Pikachu runs at Ferntress with its electrified tail ready.
Cosmo is quick to order, "Foliage Fortress!" Ferntress creates a shield of ferns in front of it.
"Up and over, Pikachu!"
At the last second, Pikachu jumps up and performs a front flip over Ferntress. It comes back down on Ferntress' back and slams down its tail as hard as possible. The Iron Tail wedges between the ferns of Ferntress' armor and sends the voltage leftover from the Hallowed Lighting directly into it.
Ferntress cries out in pain, "Feeeeeeern!"
"Ferntress, no! Return!" Cosmo recalls Ferntress to its Pokéball before it feels any further pain. Cosmo stares intensely at the Pokéball.
Braydon cheers, "All right, Ash!"
Ash looks to Cosmo. "You see? More power comes when you're willing to give everything you have, rather than take everything someone else has. Call this all off, Cosmo. Release the Legendary Pokémon."
Cosmo shakes his head. "You're too late."
Braydon steps forward and demands, "What was that!?"
"Look at the pods again."
Ash looks and to his horror, finds that they're empty. "What happened!?"
"They've been teleported to the Space Shuttle Rayquaza. We're now at t-minus five minutes from launch. There is no stopping Team Planetary now. Whether you like it or not, we will save the world." With that, he too is caught by a teleporter and fades away. "That's the end of this rivalry." And he's gone.
Ash shouts, "No!" as he lunges at Cosmo, but he's already gone. Ash falls to his knees and pounds a fist to the ground. "Not again! He got away again! And this really is for good, this time… I really thought I had gotten through to him… I felt it…"
Braydon steps closer to Ash. "Now isn't the time to give up. We have a flight to catch."
Ash looks to Braydon with confusion. "You mean the rocket? But we have less than five minutes until it launches. How could we possibly make it to the Cape Space Center in time?"
Braydon laughs. "The same way our Legendary friends did. Hey, M31, you still have system access?"
Via an intercom, M31 responds, "I do."
"Then how about you send us the same way the Cosmic Guardians and Velocivity went."
"Yes, I should be able to do that. Good luck."
Ash pauses. "Wait, does that mean we're going to outer space?"
Braydon nods. "Yup. It means we're going to outer space."
Ash grins profusely. Despite the circumstances, he can't help but be thrilled by the idea of a trip to space. "Let's do this." Pikachu takes its place on his shoulder as the teleportation field enshrouds him and Braydon. As they disappear, Ash announces, "We haven't given up yet, Team Planetary. We still fight." Then they're gone as well.
Cosmo and Polaris are about to board the space shuttle. Polaris asks, "Is something bothering you, my son?"
Cosmo sighs. "It's nothing, Polaris."
"Come on. What is it?"
"I was just thinking about the pain we're putting those Pokémon through."
Polaris freezes. "Cosmo, my son, don't tell me we've come this far, done this much, sacrificed all that, only for you to lose vision."
Cosmo takes a deep breath. "Of course not, Polaris."
Polaris nods. "Good. We're too close have doubts now. The world is ours to save. And if we fail to follow through, then everyone is surely doomed." He enters the shuttle and Cosmo follows.
"Five…four…three…two…one…liftoff! We have liftoff of the Space Shuttle Rayquaza on its scientific expedition!"
The shuttle rockets upwards into the sky. All across the city, the region, and the world, people watch with awe and excitement.
At mission control, Neil, the Kanaveral Gym Leader and head of Tenno's space program breathes a sigh of relief as his people celebrate all around him.
In an audience outside the Cape Space Center, a young girl standing with a Quaxly claps for the launch, not knowing what it represents.
While processing the intake of a Team Rocket Grunt, Looker sees the rocket in the sky and shakes his head in disappointment, as he feels like a failure.
Standing in a street somewhere in Kanaveral is Leo. He watches the news of the launch on a giant screen on the side of a building along with many Planetary Grunts. They all cheer, but Leo seems uncertain of how to react.
From within Planetary HQ, Brock and Brenda, now without any opponents to fight, watch in fear.
Outside Planetary HQ, Brandon has rejoined Chris. Brandon clenches a fist in frustration at seeing the shuttle manage to launch.
This is it. We're at t-minus zero. The rocket now leaves a scarlet trail of fire across the violet dawn skies. Everything before has all been leading to this. The final battle is about to unfold, and it will be literally out of this world. Next time: the crisis concludes…
To Be Continued…
