Episode 150: Planetary Crisis Part 7: Finale Frontier
A young Cosmo and his father, Andromeda, sit atop a grassy hill, looking at the stars in the sky above them. Andromeda points at a collection of stars. "They say that that constellation looks like a Tauros."
Cosmo squints. "A Tauros? How? Had they never seen a Tauros before? It looks more like a Beldum to me."
Andromeda laughs. "No. Perhaps they were just a little more creative than you."
Young Cosmo takes offense from this. "I'm creative!"
"You sure are, if you think that looks like a Beldum."
"Hey!"
Andromeda laughs at his son. Cosmo joins in the laughter.
The boy leans back against his father's chest. "Dad, what's it like in space?"
Andromeda ponders the question. "What is it like in space? It's like… It's like you've left all the troubles of the world behind. Everything is peaceful. Not even gravity fights against you. And, when you look down on the breathtaking sight of our world from above, you realize how important it is to protect our world."
"Protect our world…" Cosmo repeats.
"But, you also realize something more important."
"More important than protecting the world?"
"You realize how important it is to be a good person and to live up to the beauty of our world."
"That doesn't make any sense. How is being a good person more important than protecting the world?"
Andromeda contemplates his answer for a moment. "A world without good people is not a world worth protecting."
"But what's the point of being a good person if there's no world to be a good person in?"
"A world without good people is world that is lost. Being a good person protects the world. Don't ever forget that, Cosmo."
Cosmo nods. He's awestruck by the philosophical words. "Being a good person protects the world…"
In the present, Cosmo and Polaris sit in the front command chairs of the Space Shuttle Rayquaza as it rockets into space. Polaris looks to his side and says through the strain of launch, "This is it, Cosmo. We're going to save the world."
Cosmo makes no immediate response. He looks up through the viewport, where the stars in the sky have become visible as the rocket exits the atmosphere. He can clearly see the Tauros constellation.
The space shuttle drops its boosters until only the main vehicle remains. Within minutes, the shuttle has entered Earth orbit.
This is it. Every battle that our heroes have fought against Team Planetary is about to come to a head. Every struggle is about to have meaning. Every moment is about to pay off. One way or another, the crisis ends here.
Ash and Braydon have stowed away in a cargo hold of the space shuttle. Their arrival in space is announced by the cessation of gravity. The slightest movement causes them to float into the air.
Ash can't help but try to perform a backflip. "This is amazing!"
Pikachu agrees, "Pika!"
Braydon grins. "As much as we're in crisis mode right now, I do have to admit that this is pretty cool."
Ash looks around. "So, the Cosmic Guardians and Velocivity should be somewhere on board, right?"
Braydon nods. "It looks like the teleporter sent us somewhere else on the shuttle, but they've got to be somewhere."
"So, let's go look."
"That may not be the best idea. The rest of the ship is probably swarming with Team Planetary."
"Do you have a better suggestion?"
Before Braydon can propose anything, there's a knocking on the wall. Ash and Braydon jerk their heads towards a nearby airlock door where the knocking was coming from. They look to each other, then float to the airlock and peer through the window.
They recoil in shock and fright when they see three faces on the other side. It's Jessie, James, and Meowth. They're holding their breaths and their faces have turned purple from lack of air.
Team Rocket gasp for breath the moment they're inside, then they start panting.
Meowth is the first to catch his breath. "Twice! That's twice we've grabbed hold of a rocket as it blasted into space! How stupid are we!?"
James inhales deeply, then points out, "Grabbing the rocket was your idea, this time."
"Yeah, and you fools didn't tell me no!"
Jessie asserts, "Just can it. We did it. Now we're here." She glances at Ash with disdain. "Though, I can't say I enjoy the company. Who invited the twerps?"
Ash groans. "I could have just left you guys out there to suffocate. I think I liked you better in the silence of space."
Jessie glares at him nastily.
James speaks up, "And we appreciate your help. Now, allow me a word with my counterparts." He pulls Jessie and Meowth away forcefully. He whispers forcefully to them, "We've already teamed up with the twerps once before to get a one-up on Team Planetary. Let's do it again. After all, The Boss doesn't have to hear anything about their involvement in this operation."
Jessie and Meowth agree with silent nods.
Meowth steps back. He announces, "Lucky you, twerps. The calvary has arrived. We're here to help you take down Team Copycat once and for all. What can we do?"
Ash is taken aback. "Oh. Um… Well… Thanks…I guess…"
Braydon shrugs. "Some help is better than no help."
Ash shakes his head. "If ever that weren't true, it would be in regards to them."
Braydon takes another glance at Team Rocket, who all wave goofily at him. "Yeah…maybe you're right…"
Before they can discuss the matter any further, the room begins to shudder. Ash asks with concern, "What's that?"
Braydon pushes himself to the window and looks out. "They're opening the main hatch on top of the shuttle. I think that means we've reached our destination." Planetary Grunts wearing spacesuit versions of their usual uniforms have begun to unload equipment. "We need to get out there."
Ash objects, "Won't we need spacesuits?"
Braydon grins. "Luckily, that's one of the things they had stored in this cargo hold."
Ash and Braydon have both suited up in complete space suits. Ash rips the Planetary P patch off his suit, crumples it up, and drops it to the floor. "That's better."
Braydon hands Ash a handful of transparent orbs about the size of a Pokéball. "Put these on your Pokéballs. They automatically place your Pokémon into a specialized, battle-ready, adaptable spacesuit."
Ash takes them and slots one over a Pokéball.
"You can also press it to Pikachu's chest to put it in a suit."
Ash looks down to Pikachu. "What do you say?"
"Chu." Pikachu nods.
Ash presses the capsule against Pikachu. The orb explodes outwards and wraps around Pikachu. Within seconds, Pikachu is now wearing a custom suit that fits it perfectly.
"All suited up, and ready to go."
Jessie speaks up, "Hey, don't we need spacesuits too?"
Ash hesitates. "Um…how about you three stay in here and…um…guard our base of operations?"
Jessie, James, and Meowth all stand at attention and salute. They announce in unison, "Aye, aye, captain!"
Not one to be left out of a salute, Wobbuffet also appears. "Wobbuffet!"
Braydon looks to Ash. "You ready for this, Ash?"
Ash nods. "This is it. The final battle. We either win here once and for all, or we lose everything."
Cosmo, wearing a spacesuit, oversees a group of grunts offloading equipment from the shuttle. Despite his task, his mind seems to be wandering elsewhere.
A grunt floats up to him and reports, "Sir, all Meteoric Shards, Grand Meteoric Shards, and organic cosmic energy receptacles have been unloaded and are ready for attachment to the weapon."
Cosmo takes a second to realize the words were addressed to him. "Very good. And what of the weapon's status?"
"The weapon has self-assembled from parts sent into space over the past month as planned. All statuses are green."
"Then Project Architect is officially in its final stage. Begin loading the weapon's core."
"Yes, sir."
Cosmo's attention is drawn to the great blue marble that is Earth seen from above. He can't help but stare intensely at it and take in its beauty. He whispers to himself, "So peaceful…"
He is not the only one watching the Earth. A shadowy figure hides behind the shuttle to remain out of sight of Team Planetary. But his glowing blue eye gives away his identity. M31 says to himself, "Cursed to always watch..." He watches both the Earth, and Cosmo watching the Earth.
Who's that Pokémon!?
It was given the task of constructing the cornerstone of the Solar System, the Sun, by the Cosmic Architect. When it absorbs ample cosmic energy, it will ascend to a higher form.
Having waited for the right opportunity, Ash and Braydon emerge from the shuttle when no one is looking. They use the jetpacks on their suits to hide behind the wing of the shuttle. Planetary Grunts are moving about as they stage for their operation. Ash notices the four pods containing Ryusei, Showakusei, Suisei, and Velocivity. The four Pokémon still look to be in pain.
It takes everything Ash has to not leap out then and there to try to rescue them. "What are they trying to do with them?"
Braydon shakes his head. "I don't have the faintest clue. It has to be big, though. Why bother bringing all of this equipment into space?"
"This must all have something to do with that threat they detected that your father tried to stop during the Deoxys Disaster. That's why they keep talking about saving the world."
"You are correct, Ash. They are honest in their assertations of saving the world."
Ash and Braydon turn around to see M31. His entire body is obscured by a white cloak and hood. No spacesuit is apparent, but it's impossible to tell what the cloak hides. Ash gasps. "M31? You came up here too?"
"Yes. I took inspiration from you and hijacked Team Planetary's teleporter for myself."
Braydon asks, "You know what Team Planetary is trying to do?"
"Yes. Ever since they first learnt of the great threat this world faces five years ago, they have been working towards stopping it. But as you know, they will stop at no lengths. They will commit any evil. They even baited a trap and sabotaged the Space Shuttle Deoxys so that Andromeda would not stand in the way of what they saw as the only way forward."
Braydon gasps. "So, Team Interplanetary really did do it. They're the ones who brought an end to my father's life." He clenches his fists in anger. "They installed Polaris as their puppet leader and disposed of anyone who would stand in their way.
"They brought an end to Cosmo's father as well. That is why he is the key." He looks to Ash. "I watched you battle with him. Cosmo wavered. I know you can sway him. I sensed it."
Ash points out, "You seem to know a lot about Cosmo and Team Planetary. Will you help us defeat them?"
M31 reluctantly shakes his head. "I wish I could…but I can't. I used to be a part of this world. I used to influence it. But I left it. I am no longer a part of this world. I have been cursed to always watch, never to help. That is my punishment…"
Ash asks, "Punishment for what…?"
"My punishment for failing…" He makes no further attempt to elaborate, and Ash makes no further attempt to ask for it.
What Ash does ask is, "But why bother coming all this way if you're not going to help?"
"It is my penance."
Ash sighs. "I don't know what you think it is you did that requires punishment, but I've always felt the best way to make up for mistakes is to work to make something else better in return."
M31 shakes his head solemnly. "I'm sorry. I am not capable. But I have the utmost faith in you."
Ash nods. "Okay. Whether you say so or not, you've been a big help already, and I appreciate it. Just having you here for advice is a big help. I'll do what I can for Cosmo and I'll save Velocivity."
"Thank you, Ash. You are a good person. The world could use more people like you."
Ash looks to Braydon. "No more hiding. It's now or never."
Braydon nods. "Once more unto the breach, friend. Let's go."
It's Heliosol!
Cosmo shouts at a grunt, "No! Not there! It needs to be fastened to the others over there."
"Yes, sir!" The grunt moves the equipment he was pushing.
"Stop right there," Ash announces over an open frequency.
Cosmo swivels around to see Ash and Braydon approaching via jetpack. He groans. "Not you again. Not now…"
"Cosmo! You and I have unfinished business!"
Sirius, Cygnus, and Orion move in instantly to stop them. Sirius asserts, "How did you two make it here?"
Cygnus groans as she rolls her eyes. "Does it really matter? They're here now, and they're a pain."
Orion punches a fist into a palm. "Looks like these kids just can't learn a lesson.
Ash floats forward. "My fight isn't with you three. It's with Cosmo. Come here and face me, Cosmo!"
Orion laughs. "I'm your opponent now! Forget about that kid!" All three send out their Pokémon. Gigastar, Eatyai, and Meteormight are able to survive in space without spacesuits.
Cosmo maneuvers himself in front of the Commanders. "No. I'll take care of this. He followed me here. I'm the reason he's here. I'll get rid of him."
Sirius crosses his arms and assesses Cosmo critically. "You've failed to stop these kids many times before. Don't mess this up."
Cosmo stands firm. "Polaris put me in charge of this mission while he oversees the weapon's preparations. I outrank you right now. Don't tell me what to do."
Sirius says nothing further. He floats aside.
Cosmo floats to Ash. "What further could you possibly hope to do? Do you not see that we've already won? It's too late for you to do anything to stop us."
Ash grins. "Maybe I can't stop Team Planetary. But you can."
Cosmo stares critically at Ash. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means it's not too late to do the right thing. Honor your father's memory."
Cosmo grows angry. "You know nothing about my father! Don't you dare speak a single word further about him!" He pulls out a Pokéball and is ready for battle.
Ash shakes his head. "Cosmo, we've fought each other over and over. Our last battle proved I can beat you. There's no need for any more fighting." Ash does his best sit cross-legged, despite the lack of floor or gravity. "If you think it's the right thing, then take me right now. Arrest me and lock me away to never be seen again."
Cosmo is taken aback. "Huh?"
Braydon urges, "Ash, what are you doing?"
Ash ignores him. "Someone recently called me a good person, and said that the world needs more good people. He was right. Even if the world needs to be saved, it's more important for it to be saved by good people. Are you a good person, Cosmo?"
Cosmo recoils with shock. "What did you say?"
"I think you think that you're a good person too. But would one good person send another to jail?"
Cosmo ignores him. He pulls a device off his belt and latches it to Ash's side. An energy beam wraps around Ash's arms and torso, immobilizing him. "I'm not a good person. I'm a person who does the right thing. There's a difference."
Braydon lunges forward, "Ash!"
Ash asserts, "No, Braydon! This is Cosmo's choice. Don't stop him."
Braydon hesitantly backs off.
M31 watches this all. "What are you doing, Ash…? Why…?"
Ash looks Cosmo in the eyes. "The right thing is what's best for the world. Do what's best for the world."
Cosmo grabs Ash by the binding. "I am."
M31 shakes his head in dismay. "I can't let this happen…" Something seems to dawn on him. "I don't have to let it…" Suddenly he floats out into the open and announces, "Cosmo, stop! The world needs good people more than it needs saving!"
Cosmo freezes entirely.
Braydon cheers, "M31!"
Cosmo looks to M31. "Who are you…? Show your face…"
"Don't make me, Cosmo."
"Show your face!"
M31 takes a deep breath. He lowers his hood. Beneath it, he wears no space helmet. Instead, his face is mostly covered by mechanical parts, including a glowing blue prosthetic eye. He's a cyborg. But the human half of his face shows familiar features and patches of blue hair.
Cosmo's eyes widen. "It's not possible…"
"Hello, my son."
Ash gasps. "M31, you're Andromeda!?"
M31, or rather Andromeda, nods. "At least I used to be."
Cosmo shakes his head in complete dismay and disbelief. "You're dead! You can't be here! Your weakness killed you!"
"No, it is my virtue that saved me. Velocivity had been watching me. It knew me to be a good person. It couldn't stand to watch the life of a good person be snuffed out, so it pulled me from the shuttle just as it was exploding. I sustained serious injury, but the technology of an abandoned off-the-grid Planetary science station was able to repair me."
Braydon asks with hesitation, "If you're alive…does that mean…?"
Andromeda looks to Braydon sorrowfully. "I'm sorry, Braydon. Velocivity, as fast as it is, could only save one of us."
Braydon nods. "I understand."
Andromeda returns his attention to his son. "I understand that you blamed me for that tragedy. You thought it was my fault. But Polaris was the one to blame. I trusted that man to raise you should anything happen to me, and he used my final show of virtue as a lesson to corrupt you."
Cosmo shakes his head in dismay. "But why not show yourself sooner?"
"I wanted to. More than anything. But by the time I had recovered, Polaris had grown too powerful. If I revealed myself, he would have made sure the job was finished. And so, I was cursed to only be able to watch. But I watched everything. I witnessed the past five years as you grew up into a powerful young man. I may have been absent half your life, but I was always there." He looks up at the visage of Earth from above. "Cosmo, you're in space now. Look to that beautiful blue marble above us and feel the serenity. Feel the need for good people. Be that good person the world needs. Live up to that beauty!"
Cosmo is at a loss for words. "I….I…I…."
Ash asserts, "Cosmo, whatever danger threatens the world, there will always be good people to save it. Saving the world with acts of evil isn't saving it at all. Think about the pain you're inflicting. You have the power to stop it."
Cosmo once more thinks of the sight of Ferntress in the pod suffering in pain. He also thinks to his father suffering in his final moments before his supposed end. "I…" He finally says in a whisper, "I am not a good person…"
Ash sighs, thinking that all is lost.
"But that doesn't mean I can't strive to be better…"
Ash perks up. "Do you mean…?"
"Yes."
Sirius shouts, "Enough of this! Do something, Cosmo, or we will!"
Cosmo turns around. "I'm going to do something. I'm going to do something I should have done long ago." He first releases Ash from his bindings, then throws his Pokéball, sending out Ferntress in a spacesuit. "I'm going to make sure Team Planetary is an organization that my father would have been proud of!"
Orion gasps. "What are you saying, kid?"
"I'm saying that I'm done committing acts of evil and pretending like the ends justify the means!"
Cygnus groans. "And this is why I hate children. Too idealistic. Ugh."
Sirius asserts, "Think carefully about your next move, boy. If you turn against us, you're turning against Team Planetary."
Cosmo shakes his head. "No. I already turned against Team Planetary when I allowed it to devolve into a pathetic distortion of what it once was."
Sirius allows the faintest of grins to appear on his face. "I've always wanted to do this. No more hiding behind nepotism, boy." He and the other Commanders are ready for a battle.
Cosmo is prepared to battle them alone, but then alongside his Ferntress, Braydon's Kappaquarius and Ash's Solurtle appear. Cosmo looks to them in surprise. "Are you helping me?"
Ash grins. "We're all in this together now."
Braydon laughs. "It may make me sick to work alongside a bigshot from Team Planetary, but I make an exception this time, given the circumstances."
Cosmo nods. "Then it's three-on-three. Here we go. Ferntress, use Leaf Storm!"
"Kappaquarius, use Hydro Cannon!"
"Solurtle, use Flamethrower!"
Ferntress' attack is aimed at Gigastar, Kappaquarius' at Meteormight, and Solurtle's at Eatyai.
Cygnus commands, "Light Screen." Eatyai raises a barrier that reduces the power of all three attacks.
Orion is quick to jump in and order, "Meteor Mash on the traitor!"
Meteormight leaps at Ferntress for a powerful punch.
Ash counters, "Solurtle, in your shell and block it!"
Solurtle puts its shell between Meteormight and Ferntress, blocking the attack.
Braydon jumps in, "Kappaquarius, toss it aside with Psychic!" Braydon's Pokémon tosses the rebounding Meteormight into Eatyai.
Cosmo looks to Ash and Braydon with some dismay. "Thank you, guys."
Ash grins at him. "We're on the same side now. That means we back you up."
Sirius laughs. "You were enemies but minutes ago! No true bonds have formed between you! Gigastar, incinerate them with Heat Wave, wide berth!"
Gigastar attacks with a pulse of scorching winds from its body. The fiery storm is wide enough to hit all three opposing Pokémon.
Cosmo announces, "Now it's our turn to protect them! Foliage Fortress!"
Ash and Braydon both shout, "Behind Ferntress!"
Solurtle and Kappaquarius maneuver themselves behind Ferntress' shield of leaves, which entirely blocks the Heat Wave.
But Orion is quick to follow up. "Meteormight, show them an attack no defense can block! Meteor Slam!"
Cosmo orders, "Keep up the shield, Ferntress!"
Cygnus rolls her eyes. "Must I do the hard part? Eatyai, toss it aside." Eatyai uses Psychic to force Ferntress out of the way, allowing Meteorfight to slam its entire body into both Solurtle and Kappaquarius.
Ash shouts, "Rapid Spin while it's close, Solurtle!"
Braydon adds, "Give it some extra oomph, Kappaquarius!" Braydon's Pokémon uses Psychic to add to Solurtle's velocity. The enhanced Rapid Spin plows through all three of the Commanders' Pokémon, one at a time.
The Rapid Spin also forced the three opposing Pokémon into a single pile. Ash shouts with vigor, "Full power, Solurtle! Solar Beam!"
Braydon joins in, "You too, Kappaquarius! Hydro Cannon!"
Cosmo declares, "We end this now! Leaf Storm!"
The three Pokémon each attack a single point from three different angles. At first, Eatyai's Light Screen is enough to stop the attacks.
All three trainers shout as one, "Give it everything you've got! Don't give up!" The Pokémon increase the intensity of their moves. After a single tense second, the Light Screen shatters away like glass and the attacks continue on to their target unhindered. The result is a triple knock out. All three Planetary Pokémon are defeated.
Orion shouts, "No! I can't be defeated by a couple of weaklings and a traitor!"
Cygnus groans, "Beaten by kids. How obnoxious…"
Sirius stares critically at Cosmo. "What a waste."
Cosmo moves forward and announces, "I am now the leader of Team Planetary, and things are going to change. Project Architect ends here."
"What have you done, my son?" It's Polaris. He looks to Cosmo with a combination of shock and disgust.
Cosmo takes a moment to gather strength, then looks to Polaris defiantly. "I'm not your son. I never was. I was a tool to be manipulated."
Polaris shakes his head. "No…that isn't true." He suddenly looks to Ash with hatred burning in his eyes. "You did this! You turned my son against me!"
Ash shakes his head. "No. You did this to yourself. You're the one who chose to put an end to his real father and pretended to be a replacement. How could you ever be a father to the son who you ripped away from his true father? How could you do something like that and still call yourself the good guy? You're a monster."
Polaris is outraged. "I would do anything to save this world! Sacrifice anything! Yes, I sabotaged the Space Shuttle Deoxys! Yes, I turned Cosmo against his father! Yes, I captured and forcefully used the powers of the Cosmic Guardians! But it's all to save the world! I will not be stopped now!" He throws a Pokéball to send out his Volcarona.
Ash recalls Solurtle, activates his jetpack, and bursts forward with Pikachu.
Cosmo and Braydon try to follow him to join the fight, but they're blocked by a group of grunts. Braydon shouts, "Ash, we'll catch up with you!"
Andromeda seems to have realized something. He moves into action elsewhere.
Ash heard Braydon and keeps on moving towards Polaris. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
"Pikaaaaaa chuuuuuuu!"
"Volcarona, Heat Wave!"
Before Pikachu can properly aim its electric attack, it's swept away by the fiery winds whipped up by Volcarona's powerful wings.
"Now use Fiery Dance!" Fire swirls about Volcarona, before the Pokémon lunges itself at Pikachu.
"Up and over it, Pikachu! Then use Iron Tail!"
Taking advantage of the zero gravity, Pikachu performs an effortless backflip over Volcarona as it moves in. As Pikachu flips over it, it attacks back with Iron Tail. "Chu, pika!"
"Vol!" Volcarona shouts in pain.
"Quickly, Pikachu! Immobilize it with Electroweb!"
"Chu pikaaaaa chu!" Pikachu ends its Iron Tail and switches to Electroweb. The electric mesh wraps around Volcarona and captures it.
"Give up, Polaris! Cosmo has seen the error of his ways! Can't you?"
"No! You will not stop me when I am so close! I will save this world!"
"You're not saving this world! You're destroying it!"
"Enough!" As Polaris shouts in anger, he taps his hand to the Planetary emblem on his upper arm. In the center of the P, there's a rainbow gemstone. It reacts to his touch. A Mega Stone hidden beneath Volcarona's fur also reacts.
Ash gasps. "Huh?"
"Volcarona! Mega Evolve!"
The transformation begins and rips through the Electroweb. After a series of rainbow lights dance about, Volcarona changes into Mega Volcarona. The new form has extra wings that fill out its profile. All of its wings now glow like the surface of the Sun. Extra fur hangs down from its torso and covers its legs, giving it a more regal and wise appearance. Its antennae now wrap around its entire head, as well as nestle a single blue orb that sits atop its head. They now look like an ornate headpiece.
Ash clenches a fist. "Mega Evolution. We won't let that stop us, Pikachu!"
"Fiery Dance!" Volcarona once more cloaks itself in swirling flames, but this time the fire is immense. When Pikachu tries to dodge to the side, it's still caught by the flames.
"Pikaaa!"
"Now Heat Wave!" Volcarona turns around and flaps its wings to summon another firestorm.
"Get out of there, Pikachu!" But no distance is safe. The Heat Wave is simply too massive to avoid. Ash grunts in frustration. "Try to stop it with Thunderbolt!"
Even amidst the burning winds, Pikachu manages to gain control. "Pikaaaa chuuuu!"
Pikachu's attack is enough to force Volcarona to cease the Heat Wave.
"We have to give it everything we've got, Pikachu! Hallowed Lightning!"
Pikachu unleashes its most potent electric attack on Volcarona, but even that seems to do little. Polaris and Volcarona are quick to counterstrike with a Fire Blast of immense proportions. Pikachu, having committed to the Hallowed Lightning, is only able to partially dodge.
Pikachu ignores the pain of the Fire Blast and moves in to try another Electroweb, but Volcarona easily tosses it aside with Hurricane. Pikachu, too, is caught in the force of the Hurricane, but it manages to ride the winds in order to get closer to Volcarona and lands an Iron Tail to the stomach. Volcarona quickly attacks back with Fiery Dance, but Pikachu is better prepared this time and able to dodge far enough to the side. With a distance once again between them, Volcarona once again attacks with a massive Fire Blast. This time Ash has Pikachu use Thunderbolt straight into the center of the attack. It's enough to disrupt the fire and force it to break apart before it can harm Pikachu. The Thunderbolt also continues to travel until it hits an unprepared Volcarona.
With Volcarona temporarily stunned by the Thunderbolt, Ash looks to further the advantage. Pikachu flings another Electroweb. This time Volcarona doesn't have a chance to stop it. With Volcarona immobilized, if only for a few seconds, Pikachu begins to charge for Hallowed Lightning.
"Treat this like it's our only opening Pikachu! Maximum power! Go!"
"Pika, pika, chuuuuuuuuuuu!"
What is potentially Pikachu's most powerful bolt of lightning ever summoned crashes down onto Volcarona. The Pokémon cries out in pain, but when the electricity stops, it's still standing.
Now both Pikachu and Volcarona look beaten and battered. Both pant for breath. Both barely remain standing.
Polaris sneers at Ash. "We're too close to be stopped! You will pay for turning my son against me! Fiery Dance!"
Ash encourages, "This is do or die, Pikachu! We can't let evil win! All in! Iron Tail!"
Both Pokémon fling themselves at each other. It looks like Volcarona has the clear advantage, especially with Pikachu making no attempts to avoid the fire cloaking it.
But then sparks of electricity fly from Volcarona's body. For just a moment, Volcarona is unable to move, and the fire cloak is interrupted. And in that moment, Pikachu lands its attack. "Chu, pikaaaaa!" Volcarona is knocked out.
Ash grins. "That last Hallowed Lightning paralyzed Volcarona. I knew you could do it, Pikachu."
Pikachu cheers, "Pik pika!"
Polaris shakes his head. "No! No! No! I have already lost too much! I won't lose this!"
Braydon and Cosmo float up beside Ash. Braydon shouts, "From what it looks like to me, you've already lost this!"
Polaris suddenly looks to him and says with hatred, "No. You haven't stopped me yet. For now, there has been enough time to prepare. Team Planetary's ultimate weapon is ready for deployment!"
Cosmo looks worried. "No! If the weapon is deployed, we stand no chance!"
Ash looks to Cosmo. "What weapon?"
"That one…"
Something massive has lowered into view behind Polaris. It's a massive mecha, at least sixty feet tall. It's sleek, polished, and looks absolutely deadly. It is built in the form of a dragon. Its lower body is a long and coiled serpent tail, while its upper body is more humanoid. On its front is the Planetary logo. The pods of the Cosmic Guardians and Velocivity have been connected to four points on its front. There are also two much larger, yet empty, pods coming out of its back.
Ash shouts, "Velocivity!" It and the Cosmic Guardians shout in pain and anguish, even more than before.
Polaris uses his jetpack to board the immense robot. A hatch into a cockpit automatically opens for him. He straps himself in.
Braydon demands, "What is that thing?"
Cosmo explains, "Team Planetary's Ultimate Weapon was designed to harness the energy of the Cosmic Architect in order to combat the threat to Earth. Right now, the Cosmic Guardians and Velocivity are being used as living batteries to power it. They won't survive long."
Ash's eyes widen. "We have stop it!"
Cosmo shakes his head. "There's nothing we can do. It has the power of creation on its side. It can't be stopped by regular Pokémon, even though it's missing its main power sources."
"Main power sources?"
The Ultimate Weapon raises an arm. Pulses of energy fly from it. Polaris shouts, "Creators of the Earth and Moon! Hear my call!" There's one last massive pulse that creates a blinding light.
When the light fades, Seluna and Terratlas have appeared before it.
Ash gasps. "Seluna and Terratlas! That was Team Planetary's endgame! That's the reason for the trip to space!"
Cosmo nods. "Gathering enough cosmic energy in one place allows the Ultimate Weapon to forcefully summon the Legendary Pokémon of the Moon and Earth. Once Polaris captures them, he will go from unstoppable to invincible."
Polaris looks at the Legendary Pokémon standing before him. Even with their large size, the Ultimate Weapon is still several times larger than them. "Seluna… Terratlas… With your power, Team Planetary will have completed its Ultimate Weapon… Your sacrifice is appreciated. The world is safe."
The two Legendary Pokémon look to each other, then back to the mech. In wordless agreement, they each launch an attack. Seluna uses Lunar Beam, while Terratlas uses Blizzard. The powerful attacks completely engulf the giant mech.
Ash cheers, "Yeah! No robot can stand up to the attacks of two Legendary Pokémon!"
But the attacks fade, and the weapon is completely unharmed.
Polaris laughs. "Cute. Now it's my turn." One of the arms lunges forward and grabs Seluna. It then chucks the Pokémon into Terratlas.
Cosmo says solemnly, "The Ultimate Weapon was designed to be able to defeat even Seluna and Terratlas."
A titanic battle begins. Terratlas gets back up and cloaks itself in a green and blue aura. It charges at Polaris with its signature attack, Force of Nature. Seluna floats above and becomes cloaked in a silvery light, which it unleashes as a powerful beam. It's Tidal Power. Terratlas slams into the weapon right as Seluna's beam is about to also hit it. But with one arm, the weapon stops Terratlas dead in its tracks, while with the other it uses its palm to block the beam.
The area around the Planetary logo on the weapon's chest begins to glow. As it gathers energy, the captured Pokémon powering it cry out in pain. A massive laser cannon is fired first at Terratlas, then at Seluna.
Braydon gasps at the display. "There has to be something we can do!"
Cosmo shakes his head. "No. There's nothing."
"Spoken like a true twerp." They turn around to find Team Rocket has appeared. They all wear space suits.
Ash groans. "Not now, Team Rocket. We don't have time for you."
Jessie laughs. "So, you did forget that you said you would call for our help when you needed it."
Ash sighs. "How could you possibly help?"
Meowth crosses his arms. "In case you forgot of this as well, we're kind of the experts on giant robots."
James adds, "Not only that, but we did once take control over the prototype for this specific giant robot."
Ash gasps as he remembers the titanic robot that Team Rocket used to attack Kanaveral City the first time he traveled there. "What do you suggest?"
Meowth grins in satisfaction. "What use is a giant robot without its power source?"
Ash nods in understanding. "Then the goal is the same as it has been. Free Velocivity, Ryusei, Showakusei, and Suisei."
Braydon laughs with false bravado. "Of course. Climb the killer robot and detach its batteries. Should be easy."
Cosmo sighs. "It may be possible…"
James shakes his head. "Not may. It is possible. We'll be helping to make sure."
Jessie questions, "Wait? We will?"
James looks to her, "If you want to stop Team Copycat, this is how we do it."
Jessie sighs. "I suppose so…"
Wobbuffet appears and attempts to salute, but no sound leaves it mouth. Its color turns a darker blue. It's not wearing a spacesuit.
Jessie groans and returns it to its Pokéball. "I don't know why I bother. You brought that upon yourself."
Meanwhile, Seluna raises its arms up and uses Moon Blast. It summons a phantasmal Moon, from which a burst of energy explodes. Beside it, Terratlas attacks with a shockwave of water generated from its body, a Brine. The two attacks in tandem are powerful, but the Ultimate Weapon is so massive that it absorbs them effortlessly.
Polaris and the Ultimate Weapon retaliate. A missile launcher extends up atop each shoulder. From them, a salvo of dozens of missiles rockets out. Terratlas and Seluna each fly in opposite directions to avoid the missiles. The salvo splits in half, with each half pursuing one of the Legendary Pokémon. While it's fleeing the missiles, Terratlas turns to face them and attacks again with Brine. The pulse of water forces many of the missiles to detonate, but many more continue on. Lunala attempts to lose the missiles by forcing them to crash into a nearby asteroid, but only a handful fall for the tactic, while the others continue pursuit.
With Terratlas and Seluna occupied by avoiding the missiles, Polaris is free to push his assault further. Both arms of the weapon raise, and from its palms it fires an intense laser cannon. Not focused on the Ultimate Weapon, both Terratlas and Seluna are struck by the laser blasts and slowed down just enough for the missiles to catch up and detonate.
With both of its targets stunned, Polaris announces, "Fight no longer! You shall be the reason the world is safe!" The hands of the weapon detach and fly on rocket boosters to the downed Legendary Pokémon. The hands are large enough for just one to wrap around each Pokémon. Terratlas and Seluna struggle, but the grip is too strong. The rocket hands begin to pull them in.
Cosmo shouts, "We have to hurry! If he gets those Pokémon into their pods, we'll never be able to stop this thing!"
Ash, Braydon, Cosmo, and Team Rocket are using jetpacks to fly towards the weapon. Braydon asks, "Everyone know what they're doing?"
Everyone nods in affirmation, just before splitting up to land on four different spots on the giant mech, each near a different pod.
Braydon is first. He pulls out a Pokéball and sends out his Slashogun. He looks at Showakusei through the glass of the pod. "Don't worry. We're going to free you." He points at a conduit connecting the pod to the inner workings of the weapon. "Cut it there."
"Slash." The spacesuit around Slashogun's arm peels away to expose one of its blades. Slashogun uses it to cut cleanly through the cable.
Cosmo puts a hand to the glass of Ryusei's pod. "I don't expect forgiveness, but I'm truly sorry for what I've put you through. I was blinded by ideals that didn't align with reality." He sends out Ferntress. "Let's give Ryusei back the freedom we robbed it of." Ferntress uses Bulldoze to slam into the glass.
Jessie, James, and Meowth are gathered around Suisei's pod. Jessie asks, "So…what do we do…?"
Meowth points to the cable. "We should be able to cut through that and trigger an auto release."
James complains, "Shoot, I didn't bring my pocketknife."
Meowth laughs. "Pocketknife? Who needs a dull knife when you have claws of fury?" He extends his claws through his suit and cuts right through the conduit.
Ash looks to Velocivity with sadness. "I have so much to thank you for, Velocivity. I can only hope that this begins to repay the debt I owe you. Pikachu, Iron Tail." Pikachu uses its tail to slice through the cable.
Polaris has been attempting to force Terratlas and Seluna into their respective pods on the weapon's back. The Legendary Pokémon struggle against it, but they have no leverage.
But then the pods on the front are all compromised at the same time. The Cosmic Guardians warp away, and Velocivity dashes off. With all four Pokémon escaped, the Ultimate Weapon loses much of its power. It's enough for Seluna and Terratlas to break free.
Polaris shouts in dismay, "No! I'm losing power! How is this possible!?"
The Cosmic Guardians reappear around the robot and begin to circle it rapidly. They form a psychic ring around the weapon. Polaris attempts to swat at them with what power he has left, but they move too rapidly.
With Polaris distracted, Terratlas and Seluna regain their composure and attack together with Blizzard and Lunar Beam. Explosions burst out from all across the giant mech.
"No! Don't you realize!? You're destroying the world!"
"No, Polaris, we're saving it!" Ash sits heroically atop Velocivity's back. "Do it."
"Veeeeeeeel!" Velocivity rushes at the Ultimate Weapon at top speed. It becomes a spear of light that pierces straight through the weapon's core. Once it emerges on the other side, a massive explosion rips the entire thing apart.
Polaris sits alone in the dark cockpit of the destroyed weapon. He mutters to himself, "We're doomed. We're all doomed. I sacrificed so much. All for nothing. Doomed."
The cockpit is forced open. On the other side is Ash, Braydon, Cosmo, and Andromeda.
Ash announces, "It's all over, Polaris. We're going to go back to Earth, and you're going to turn yourself in."
Polaris shakes his head. "No! You may have stopped me for now! But I still have all the power on Earth. You're still fugitives. You're still criminals! I still hold the power!"
Andromeda shakes his head. "Polaris, my old friend. You're wrong. You hold nothing anymore."
Andromeda's eyes widen in shock. "No…i-im-im-impossible… You're gone! I made sure of it myself!"
Andromeda nods. "You certainly tried. But just as you did today, you failed. I'm still here, and I am at last reunited with my son."
"No! Cosmo is my son! I raised him! I cared for him! I taught him the meaning of true strength! You are weak!"
Cosmo shakes his head. "Polaris…you were like a father to me. That will never change. But what you taught me was wrong. What you did was wrong."
Polaris begins to cry. "Don't say that my son. I love you…"
Cosmo takes a deep breath. "And somehow, despite you taking my father away from me, I still love you…" He looks to Andromeda. "I'm sorry Dad, but it's the truth."
Andromeda shakes his head. "You do not have to feel shame. Polaris was your father for five years. It was my choice to stay away." He looks back to Polaris, "And you, my old friend, have defeated yourself. You have toppled your own empire."
"What do you mean…?"
"Everything in space missions is recorded. Instead of turning off the cameras, you only deactivated the feed to Earth. I hacked your system and restored the feed. Everyone on Earth saw you admit to your evils."
Polaris' eyes widen.
A massive crowd is gathered on the streets of Kanaveral outside of Planetary HQ. On a giant screen on the side of the building, they watch the feed from the mission. But their awe and wonder has transformed into shock and fear.
On the screen, Polaris shouts, "I would do anything to save this world! Sacrifice anything! Yes, I sabotaged the Space Shuttle Deoxys! Yes, I turned Cosmo against his father! Yes, I captured and forcefully used the powers of the Cosmic Guardians!"
Everyone is left speechless by the statements.
Brock, Brenda, Brandon, and Chris watch from the back of the crowd. They all grin at each other, knowing what this means.
Elsewhere, Looker is watching the news on a Pokéssistant. He gasps. "This is exactly what I needed. You did it again, Ash." He announces into a radio, "All units! We have our probable cause! Move out!"
Leo sits alone in his van, watching the news on a dash-mounted display. He's crying softly. "Braydon…you were right all along. We'll never get back those years that I allowed the truth to drive a wedge between us…"
At the Kanaveral Space Center, Neil watches the feed on the mission control screen. He shakes his head in disgust. "How could I be so blind?" He rips the Team Planetary patch off of the shoulder of his flight jacket.
Professor Pine and Brenda's mom, along with many residents of Launch Town, are watching the news together. Pine stands up cheers. "I knew you could do it, Ash!" Brenda's mom simply weeps tears of joy now that she knows her daughter isn't a criminal.
All across the region, news of Team Planetary's deception spreads. Now everyone knows the truth.
The Space Shuttle Rayquaza touches down on the runway of Kanaveral Space Center. The moment it comes to a stop, police officers, both regular and International, surround the shuttle. The hatch opens, and they storm in. A minute later and they come back out, escorting Polaris, the Commanders, and many grunts, all in handcuffs. Looker is personally escorting Polaris.
After them, Ash, Braydon, Cosmo, and Team Rocket disembark. An audience that has gathered applaud them as they step down the ramp.
James asks, "Is this what it feels like to be the hero?"
Jessie is basking in the glory. "It is! And it is amazing!"
Meowth decides, "We might have to do this more often."
They pause for a moment, then break out in laughter. "As if!"
Brenda runs in and hugs Ash tightly. "You're safe! You're safe and you did it! You stopped Team Planetary!" Brock, Brandon, and Chris follow.
Ash grins. "We did. I honestly can't believe it's all over. It feels like we've been fighting against Team Planetary forever, but now they're done. Everyone knows the truth now."
Brandon and Braydon stare at each other awkwardly. Neither is sure how to react to seeing the other. Finally, Braydon sighs and leans in to hug Brandon.
Brandon is surprised, but he hugs him back. "You finally did it, Braydon. You stopped the Planetary Conspiracy, just like you always said you would."
Braydon laughs. "Yeah, but what do I do now? That's been my entire life's work." Brandon joins in his laughter. They separate. "What about you? What are you going to do now?"
Brandon hesitates to answer. "I still have some unfinished business."
Braydon nods in understanding. "Of course." He looks to Chris. "And you? Will you go back to traveling with Brandon?"
Chris hesitates. "I…I think I might stay with Team Planetary…" He looks to Brandon, expecting disapproval.
Brandon grins at him. "You want to help them reform."
Chris nods. "I do. Then I can actually do that good I signed up for in the first place."
Cosmo announces, "I would gladly accept him in the new Team Planetary. I have no idea how many will be stuck in the old ways, so I'll need as many people as possible that I can trust."
Braydon extends a hand to Cosmo. "Cosmo, it turns out you're all right. For a Planetary goon."
Cosmo laughs. "And you're all right for a crazy conspiracy theorist."
Ash asks, "Are you really going to keep Team Planetary from disbanding?"
Cosmo nods. "My grandfather founded Team Planetary with nothing but good intentions. Others distorted his aspirations. I plan to set everything back on track." He looks to Andromeda, "With some help from one of its previous leaders, of course."
Andromeda grins. "I no longer seek the spotlight. I am content to live out the rest of my borrowed days in peace. But I will always be there for you, Cosmo. As I should have always been."
"Then we should be off. There is much work to be done." He begins to walk away, but stops and turns back to Ash. "Ash…we have been enemies for as long as we knew each other. Apologies cannot suffice for what I have—"
Ash interrupts him, "No. I don't think we were ever truly enemies. We were rivals. That's what I learned back when we were trapped together in the Den of Mega Evolution. I'm glad that I wasn't wrong about that."
Cosmo nods. "Yes. Rivals. And now I hope I can call you my friend."
Ash grins. "If two guys that save the day together can't call each other friends, then I don't know what to call them."
Cosmo chuckles. "You could always stay here in Tenno and work for the new Team Planetary. I'm going to need new Commanders that I can trust."
Ash shakes his head. "That's not the life for me."
"I figured as much. I knew that as your rival. But I still had to ask." He offers a hand.
Ash takes it and they shake. Then Cosmo and Andromeda depart.
Brock laughs. "It really is hard to believe it's over. Tenno is free from Team Planetary, and it's because of us."
Ash nods. "I've always said it. Secrets and evil can never stand against truth and good. There was never any doubt this day would come. It was only a question of when."
And that's a wrap! Disaster has been averted! The day has been saved, thanks to our heroes and their steadfast commitment to truth. A new day dawns on Tenno. The Planetary Crisis is over.
Brenda hesitates. "But guys, there's one thing that's still bugging me. Polaris kept insisting he was saving the world. Saving the world from what exactly…?"
Ash shakes his head. "It doesn't matter. Wherever there is darkness, there will be heroes who rise to the occasion to stop it."
Cosmo sits in the office that was once Polaris'. He looks out the window at Kanaveral City contemplatively. The door to the office opens. Without turning to face his visitor, Cosmo says, "I'm very busy right now, but after what we've just gone through, I suspect I owe you the time. What is it?"
"A mutual enemy of ours still lurks." Brandon walks up to the desk.
Cosmo turns around to face him. "I'm listening."
Or has it…? What further chronicles await…?
To Be Continued…
What will happen next? Find out now in Chapter 4 of the Cosmic Chronicles, the special tie-in series posted exclusively on the Pokémon Cosmic Quest Official Website!
Also, there have been recent major developments for the Pokémon anime that are a game changer for Cosmic Quest in multiple ways. Visit the Cosmic Quest Official Website for details on how these changes will impact the story.
