Episode 155: The Future is Wow!

Ash and Pikachu are eagerly running from spot to spot in a busy room filled a variety of robots of all shapes and sizes. At one, he shouts, "So cool!" At another, "This one's cooler!" Then, "No, wait! This one's the coolest!" He looks about the entire room. "I've never seen so many robots in one place before!"

Brock and Brenda catch up to him. Brock admits, "It is definitely an impressive spectacle."

Brenda looks more skeptical. "I don't know. After all of Team Rocket's robots, I think I've seen enough for one lifetime."

Having departed from Kanaveral City for the Rest Stop, home of the Tenno Grand Festival, our heroes have made a pitstop to visit this year's annual Tenno Robotics Showcase.

Something across the room catches Ash's eyes. He and Pikachu both gasp. "I know that robot!"

Pikachu agrees, "Pik pika pi!"

They run over to the simple humanoid robot across the room. Ash exclaims, "It's Clembot!" The robot is none other than the robotic gym leader created by Clemont.

The robot notices him and says in a robotic voice, "Greetings, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town."

Ash realizes, "Wait, if Clembot's here, then that must mean that…"

"Ash!?"

Ash swivels around to see Clemont standing behind him. "Clemont! You're here!"

Clemont grins broadly. "Ash, it's great to see you again!"

"You too, Clemont!"

Someone else shouts, "Big Brother, did you say Ash!?" Bonnie runs excitedly into to view. "Ash!"

Dedenne pops out of her bag and greets, "De denne!"

Ash and Clemont clasp hands in greeting. Ash asks, "What brings you to Tenno, Clemont?"

Clemont laughs. "Isn't it obvious? The Robotics Showcase. What about you?"

"I just earned my eighth Tenno gym badge. I'll be in the Cosmic Conference."

Clemont grins. "I suppose that should have been obvious as well."

Brock and Brenda catch up again. Brenda asks, "Ash, are they some more of your friends?"

Ash nods. "Brenda, Brock, I'd like you guys to meet Clemont and his sister Bonnie. I traveled with them in the Kalos Region."

Clemont shakes hands with Brock. "Nice to meet you. A friend of Ash's is a friend of mine."

Brock responds, "Likewise."

Brenda leans down to Bonnie and looks at Dedenne. "That's a cute Pokémon. Is it yours?"

Bonnie shakes her head. "Dedenne is my brother's, but I take care of it. When I'm old enough, it will be my Pokémon."

Brenda grins. "That's great."

Ash notices another, much larger robot behind Clembot. The mech is bulky, as if built for fighting. It's a shiny silver with electric yellow stripes running across it. Attached to it is a retracted Aipom arm, similar to the one on Clemont's backpack. The robot has no head.

Ash asks, "What's that one for?"

Clemont answers, "The main event."

"The main event? What do you mean?"

"Haven't you heard? This showcase is only the first part of today's events. The main event will be a Pokémon-piloted robot battle tournament."

Ash gushes with excitement. "A Pokémon-piloted robot battle tournament!? That sounds amazing!"

Clemont grins. "It will be. That there is my Mega Pokémon Mech Armor Combat Suit Mark Five."

Brock comments, "That name is…a mouthful…"

Bonnie rolls her eyes. "I warned him."

Brenda asks, "Mark five? What happened to the other four?"

Clemont recoils. "I'd…rather not discuss those…"

"They blew up!" Bonnie shouts with a cackle.

Seeing Clemont's flustered response, Brenda changes the subject and asks, "So you made that yourself?"

"Well, I made the hardware. But my partner programmed the software."

Ash asks with curiosity, "Your partner? Who's that?"

"That would be me." A young woman steps towards the group. She wears a yellow plaid shirt and tan pants. Her frizzy blond hair is tied in a ponytail, which she drapes over the front of a shoulder. Attached to the side of her head above an ear is a piece of technology. It projects a holographic display in front of her, which she types on, even as she walks and speaks.

Clemont introduces, "This is Aida, she's an expert computer programmer."

Aida laughs derisively. "I'm not an expert, I'm the expert. Most any computer system that's come out in Tenno over the past few years features at least one snippet of code I made. I'm even in charge of the programming for the Cape Space Center's supercomputers." She still continues to type.

Ash asks, "What about Hal? I thought he was a big deal."

Aida laughs, more heartfully this time. "I'm only messing with you. While everything I said is true, I'm not that egotistical about it. Hal was my teacher. Pretty much everything I know, I learned from him."

Brenda stares at the holographic display. "What exactly is that?"

"Oh this?" Aida asks, as if it's completely normal. "It's my portable coding terminal. This way if inspiration ever strikes, I'll have a canvas for my art."

Brenda questions, "Your art?"

"Yes. My art. Code is an artform. I am an artist. To code takes every bit the amount of creativity and vision as to paint or to sculpt."

Brenda shrugs. "I'll take your word for it."

Clemont explains, "Aida was interested in having her programs showcased in this year's robotics showcase but needed someone else to build that hardware. We met online, and that's why we're here now."

Ash says, "I'm stoked it happened! I can't wait to see your robot battle! I just wish I could enter the tournament!"

Clemont gets an idea. "Hey, Ash! You may not be able to enter without a robot, but you could still be a part of the action. How would you guys like to join our team as support crew?"

Ash nods eagerly. "That would be so cool!"

Brenda nods. "Sounds like fun."

Brock agrees, "Sure!"

Nearby, another team is working on their robot. It's a towering mechanical Meowth. The top of its chest features a small cockpit. Below the cockpit's window is a large red B, though something about the B doesn't look completely right, as if the bottom part of it were painted over.

Three people have paused in their work on the robot to listen in on the conversation between Ash and Clemont. They're wearing dirty coveralls and are covered in grease from their work on the robot, but it looks to be Team Rocket.

James points out, "It's been a while since we've crossed paths with the inventor twerp."

Jessie crosses her arm with indignation. "I'm offended by the notion of twerps signing up for a robot competition. This is our domain. You don't see us signing up for any 'obnoxious tournament.'"

Meowth remarks, "As obnoxious as the twerps are, I imagine you two would still have a shot at winning that one."

"Wobbuffet!"

James and Jessie both glare wordlessly at Meowth.

Meowth ignores them. "Come on, you two. Get back to work. Mech building is our specialty. This is the one we'll beat the twerps at for sure. The Meowthinator 3000 will show those twerps who the real roboticists are here."

Two commentators sit at a table. Both wear headphones with a mic. One is a short and portly man, while the other is tall and skinny. The tall man says excitedly, "It's time for this year's Tenno Robotics Showcase Battle Tournament! And let me tell you, Bob, I am very excited for this. I look forward to it all year!"

The short man, Bob, agrees, "Of course, Ted! What could be a better way to witness the world of robotics than a no holds barred battle tournament!?"

"Nothing, Bob! Nothing!"

Below the platform of the main stage, Ash, Brock, and Brenda stands with Clemont, Bonnie, and Aida. Ash asks, "So how does a robot Pokémon battle work?"

Clemont explains, "The goal is to create a specialized robot that works with and augments a Pokémon's natural abilities. The Pokémon will control and operate the robot."

Ash asks eagerly, "What Pokémon will you be using? Luxray? Heliolisk? Chespin?"

Clemont chuckles. "Actually, I won't be the one on this team battling. That's going to be Aida."

Ash looks to Aida with surprise, but she's paying more attention to her projected screens. "No offense, Aida, but shouldn't Clemont be the one battling? He is a gym leader, after all."

When Aida doesn't answer right away, Clemont explains, "I may be a gym leader, but Aida is more than that. She's a part of Tenno's Elite Four."

Ash gasps as he looks at Aida in a new light. "No way! You're a member of the Elite Four!?"

Aida shrugs as if it's no big deal. "Yeah, but that doesn't really mean anything."

Ash stares at her in disbelief. "Doesn't mean anything!? It means you're one of the strongest trainers in the region!"

"I suppose that's one way to put it." She continues to type indifferently.

Brenda asks, "Well, what Pokémon are you going to use then?"

Aida sighs as she turns off her screen. "I suppose we need to make the final checks of the hardware anyways." She pulls out a Pokéball and tosses it.

The Pokémon that appears almost looks like a Magnezone. The main body is circled by a ring of metal, with the two smaller bodies on either side bulging from the ring instead of the main body. Instead of the regular U-shaped magnets, attached to the smaller bodies are silver circular magnets. Rather than the gold antenna that ends with a ball, the gold ball alone floats above the main head with no antenna. The entire body is colored a paler silver color than typical Magnezone. A fine mist seems to flow off of the Pokémon, as if it were freezing cold.

Ash cranes his neck to get a better look at the strange Magnezone. Not able to make sense of it, he takes out his Pokédex. "Magnezone, Tennoan Form, the Superconductor Pokémon and an Electric and Ice Combo-Type. When Magneton which have consumed specialized materials are exposed to the coldest of temperatures, their bodies become superconductors and they transform into a different type of Magnezone. Its body maintains its temperature at a constant 4 degrees above absolute zero. Evolves from Magneton by leveling up in the cold."

Ash continues to stare at the Pokémon. "Tennoan Magnezone. Huh."

Aida commands, "Magnezone, slot in. Our battle will be soon."

"Zooone." Magnezone floats up to the top of the robot and lowers itself down. It locks into place and becomes the head of the robot. Once it does so, the entire machine seems to come to life as lights switch on and the robot begins to move.

Clemont explains, "This robot has a state-of-the-art power core I designed, but it's also powered in part by Magnezone itself."

Brock asks, "Why does it need two different power sources?"

"While primary power is drawn from Magnezone, the power core supplements that power, so that Magnezone can focus most of its energy on the battle without running itself dry."

Brenda nods. "That sounds really smart."

Bonnie rolls her eyes. "Maybe it would be, if he hadn't failed to fix an obvious flaw."

Clemont laughs. "Bonnie, I already explained it to you. That's not going to matter."

Brock asks, "What's she talking about?"

"Oh, well, you see, the power core is prone to overheating when used. But that's the best part about using a Tennoan Magnezone to pilot it! The Pokémon is so cold that it will cool the power core, no sweat. Literally."

One of the commentators, Bob, announces, "Would teams one and two please come to the stage. Your match is about to begin."

Clemont grins. "That's us. Time to put this beauty to use."

Who's That Pokémon!?

This Pokémon can be spotted in wall paintings from as far back as 10,000 years ago. For a while, it was thought to have gone extinct.

Clemont, Aida, and Magnezone in the robot have taken positions on the stage. Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Bonnie stand behind them, beneath the stage. Aida is scanning over lines of code, while Clemont is doing some final checks on his machinery.

Across the stage from them is their opponent. A Hitmontop is tucked into a very round, yet sleek robotic form which tapers to the Pokémon's head to form a cone.

Ted announces, "Here we are, Bob! The first battle of the first round is about to begin! Any thoughts on who you think will come out on top?"

"Tough question, Ted! Team Hitmontop was a favorite to win last year, but a last-minute breakdown in equipment put them out of the running before they could even compete. Meanwhile, Team Magnezone may be new to the Tenno Robotics Showcase, but it's a team of a Kalos gym leader and a Tenno Elite Four."

"Bob, are you telling me this could go either way?"

"Yes, Ted. I think I am."

"Then let's stop talking and start battling! Let's get ready to rumble!"

A bell rings and both Pokémon-piloted robots march onto the battle zone.

Hitmontop's trainer orders, "Strike fast and strike hard! Let's take them for a spin!"

"Montop!" Hitmontop's robot flips itself upside down so that the point of the Pokémon's head is on the ground. Great gyros on the robot body begin to spin, forcing the entire thing to spin like a top. The top twists its way at Magnezone.

Clemont encourages, "You should use the Aipom Arm to stop it!"

Aida shakes her head. "I've already written a program for success. Magnezone, give it a jolt."

"Zoooone!" Magnezone generates electricity, which is absorbed into the robot, conducted through its arms, and imparted into the still spinning top robot via a punch. The shock causes the machine to bounce back.

But that doesn't deter Hitmontop. The Pokémon manages to spin its machine right back at Magnezone for another strike, this time from the side.

Clemont is about to suggest the Aipom Arm again but decides against it after Aida's last response.

Aida instead orders, "Repulse it away with Magnet Rise!"

Electromagnetic energy pulses out from Magnezone. The resulting magnetic field veers Hitmontop off course. It almost spins its way right off of the battle platform but manages to regain control just in time.

The opponent orders, "Kick things into overdrive! Mechanized Rolling Kick!" Three mechanical legs extend out from the top of the spinning top and spin with it so fast that they quickly blur together. Their tips begin to glow as Hitmontop moves in for another blow, this time faster than before.

Clemont urges, "It's going too fast! You'll have to extend the leg anchors and bear the brunt of the attack!"

But Aida shakes her head and instead orders, "Extend Aipom Arm and stop it!"

Clemont objects, "No! The Aipom Arm won't be able to withstand the force of the attack!"

As per Aida's command, the robotic arm extends from the mech's back and lurches forward to grab Hitmontop by one of the legs.

There's a loud snapping noise as the thin metal arm gives way and the hand of the Aipom Arm is flung aside by centrifugal force. Hitmontop's robot then rams into Magnezone's unhindered.

Magnezone is knocked onto its back. A referee begins a ten count. "One…two…three…"

Aida and Clemont both shout at the same time, "Activate recovery boosters!" Aida glances at Clemont with annoyance.

The robot activates jets on its back which push it back up onto its feet.

Aida then orders, "Let's finish this before it can come in for another attack! Activate the EM Cannon!"

"Magenzooooooone!" One of the robot's hands folds into the arm and is replaced by a cannon barrel. As Magnezone pumps electricity into the robot, it gathers as an intense glow within the barrel.

Hitmontop's trainer orders urgently, "Hurry! Get in there for Mechanized Rolling Kick!"

But as Hitmontop aims itself once more at Magnezone, Magnezone fires the cannon. A blast of highly concentrated electricity rips out from the barrel and pierces through the top-like robot. The gyros are blown out by the attack and the top spins out of control until Hitmontop is flung out and the entire thing collapses.

Ted shouts excitedly, "We have our first winner! Team Magnezone!"

As Aida walks down from the stage, Clemont rushes to catch up with her. He demands, "What was that back there? Why did you ignore my advice?"

"I already told you. I had already written my program. Once I execute it, it can't be changed. Besides, Magnezone is my Pokémon."

"It may be your Pokémon, but I built that machine. I know how it works."

"You know physically how it functions, but I coded it. I'm the only one who truly knows how it will react in any situation."

Clemont crosses his arms. "Oh really? Then what was that back there when you lost the Aipom Arm? The Aipom Arm is one of my signature pieces of machinery. Coding or not, I know how it works. I know when and when not to use it."

"There was an error in my code. It happens. Next time, I will have debugged the program and be all the better for it." She walks away.

Clemont sighs. "We're a team. Can't you be a team player?"

Aida pauses. "I may have needed your hardware to compete, but my software is what gives that machine life. I'm the one competing here. Not you." She leaves.

Clemont shakes his head dismay. Ash and the others approach. Ash comments, "Wow, she may not have been the cheeriest person in the world, but she seemed nice enough before. What happened?"

Clemont shrugs. "I couldn't tell you. I guess she doesn't respect the people who make the machines she codes for."

Bonnie stomps her foot and asserts, "If she's going to be nothing but a meanie, then you shouldn't work with her!"

Clemont shakes his head. "No. It's fine. I'll just let her do things her way."

Brenda asks with some surprise, "Really? Just like that? You're going to give into her?"

Clemont nods. "All I really wanted was to see one of my inventions compete. I'm getting that regardless of who's in control. If that means I sit back and let Aida command my invention, I'm fine with that. I'd rather us work together to win, but winning isn't everything."

It's Mamoswine!

As the tournament continues, Clemont and Aida climb the rankings. Clemont's advice is still ignored, which leads several more mistakes on Aida's part, but they still manage to pull out victories in the end. Team Rocket with their Meowthinator 3000 also perform strongly and climb their way up the bracket as well.

But Team Rocket has a problem in the semi-final round. The opponent's robot punches into the Meowth robot's chassis and rips out a piece of machinery. Meowth is able to bring his robot's claws down on the opponent to slice it open and be declared the winner, but his robot looks thoroughly damaged.

Bob announces, "We now enter a break period before the final round for our two finalists, Team Magnezone and Team Meowth, to enact repairs on their respective robots so that they'll be in top fighting shape for the final round!"

James approaches Meowth, who's crawling into the hole left in the robot. "So? What's the damage?"

Meowth pokes his head out and sighs. "Well, I can fix almost everything here before the final round."

Jessie comments, "That's good."

Meowth shakes his head. "I said almost everything. Our power core is kaput. And without it, we won't be doing any more fighting. We'll have to surrender."

Jessie scoffs at the notion. "Surrender? Team Rocket never surrenders!"

Meowth nods. "I agree, but unless you can think of another power source we can use, we're out."

James grins. "I seem to remember a certain Inventor Twerp bragging about his custom-built power core. If he were to…misplace that power core, he'd be the one surrendering the finals."

Meowth grins. "Good thinking, James. That's two birds with one stone."

Clemont shouts in panic, "How is this possible!?"

Aida, Ash, and the others come running to him. Ash asks, "What is it? What's wrong?"

"The power core! It's missing!"

Aida looks at him critically. "How could you lose a power core?"

Clemont shakes his head. "I don't know. It was here five minutes ago. Then I left to grab some tools, and now it's gone!"

Aida looks about the area. "We need to find it. If we can't, we'll be forced to forfeit the finals." Her normally calm face becomes gripped by panic. "How can I fix this? This wasn't a part of the program…"

Clemont suddenly calms down. He grins mischievously as a glare shines off his glasses. "The future is now, thanks to science!" He whips something out too fast to see it. "Clemontic Gear on!" Now in front of him is a large machine covered in various screens, buttons, knobs, and levers. On top of it is a large red arrow. "Fortunately, I was prepared for this exact eventuality!"

Brenda asks in surprise, "So you brought a back-up power core?"

Bonnie rebukes, "That would have been the obvious thing to do, but not for my big brother…"

Clemont proclaims, "Presenting the Power-Core-Find-O-Matic! By detecting the unique frequency of energy used by the power core, this machine will tell us exactly where we can find it!"

Brock remarks, "Well…it does exactly what the name suggests it would."

Ash looks about the machine in excitement. "Wow! Science is so amazing!"

Aida crosses her arms skeptically. "Do you really think this will work?"

Before Clemont can answer, Bonnie answers, "Seeing as my brother made it, I'd give it a fifty-fifty shot."

Clemont declares, "Nonsense! I'll fire it up now and prove you all wrong!" He begins to turn dials, pull levers, and press buttons. The arrow begins to spin in circles. "Now we just need to give the machine a chance to calibrate itself, and we'll be in business!" A high-pitch hum emanates from the device.

Brenda asks with worry, "Um…is it supposed to do that?"

Clemont grins reassuringly but says nothing.

The hum grows louder and higher pitched. Everyone but Clemont looks at the machine with worry, but Clemont continues to smile. Then it explodes.

Everyone coughs through the smoke left behind. Bonnie sighs. "Did I say fifty-fifty? I meant ninety-ten."

Aida looks at Clemont with anger. "Your faulty hardware just ruined our chance at competing, and you question why I don't accept your input?"

Clemont is still grinning, but it's turned into a smug grin. "Who said anything about the hardware failing?" He points to his left.

The red arrow lies on the ground, pointing off to the other side of the room.

Aida looks at him suspiciously. "No… Are you telling me that…?"

Clemont nods. "This machine was designed to explode, with the explosion propelling the signaling arrow to point out our target. It was no failure."

Ash's eyes widen in wonder. "I can't say it enough! Science is amazing!"

Aida looks at Clemont skeptically and says under her breath, "Perhaps it is…"

Clemont urges everyone, "Come on! What are we waiting for? The power core is off in this direction!" They all follow the arrow's direction.

They run until they make it to Team Rocket's workstation, where the three of them are performing maintenance on the Meowth robot. In a systems test, its arms are moving up and down.

Ash gasps. "Those are the other finalists!"

Brock points out, "And if memory serves, they had their own power core destroyed in the previous round."

Brenda asks, "Then how is it moving now?"

Aida demands, "Why did you two steal our power core!?"

Jessie, James, and Meowth look up from their work for the first time. James asks, "Excuse me? Your power core?"

Clemont nods. "We know you took it. Now give it back."

Jessie crosses her arms. "Oh yeah? Prove it."

Ash asserts, "Science has proved it! The Power Core Find-O-Matic led us here!"

James snaps a finger in anger. "Shoot. With a name like that, it can't have pointed them wrong."

Jessie shrugs. "Oh well. I guess we do this the hard way then." She steps forward and declares, "Prepare for trouble!"

James steps up next to her to add, "Make it double!"

"To conquer the world with advanced science!"

"Our robot's more than a mere appliance!"

"To reduce our foes to nuts and bolts!"

"We'll power our machine with all your volts!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

"Team Rocket battles bots at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now to our robot's great might!"

"Meowth, that's right!"

"Wobbuffet!"

"Mime mime!"

On the Meowthinator, the red sticker that made the R on its front into a B peels off.

Clemont shakes his head in disbelief. "Team Rocket! You no-good excuses for inventors! I thought I had finally gotten rid of you!"

Jessie and James glance at each other, then crack up in laughter. Through her laughter, Jessie asks, "Did you seriously think we were chasing after you!? Ha!"

James declares, "Newsflash! It was the Twerp and his Pikachu we cared about, not you!"

Clemont looks to Ash. "Have they really been following you all this time?"

Ash nods. "It never ends."

Aida asserts, "Hand over that power core! It doesn't belong to you!"

Meowth laughs derisively. "And who ever implied we cared about what belongs to whom?"

Ash and Pikachu step forward. "Then we'll just have to make you give it back."

Aida steps in front of Ash as she pulls out a Pokéball. "No, this fight is about our robot. It's a fight for Clemont and I."

Clemont is surprised. "Wait…you want my help?"

Aida nods. "You made that power core. Now you can help get it back. You and I can take these clowns."

Clemont steps forward as Ash steps back. "We'll do it." He throws a Pokéball. "Go, Luxray!" Clemont's Luxray appears ready for battle.

Aida throws her Pokéball. "Thundroll, execute!" The Pokémon that appears is a squat thing with short legs, but long, lanky arms. Its skin is yellow-green with yellow patches. It wears a toga that looks to be made out of storm clouds. Its face looks cross and angry. It sports a long white beard that zigzags like lightning.

Ash's Pokédex is already out. "Thundroll, the Thunderclap Pokémon and an Electric-Type. Thundroll has an extremely short temper. When it gets angry, it summons bolts of lightning from the sky. It launches acoustic attacks with the sound of thunder. Does not evolve."

Jessie and James throw their own Pokéballs to send out Buzzsaw and Haking. Jessie orders, "Buzzsaw, use X-Scissor!"

Buzzsaw flies in at Thundroll to attack by slashing its mandibles. "Buzz zzz zzz zzz!"

Aida counters, "Thundroll, use Thunderpeal!"

"Thuuundroooll!" Thundroll claps its hands together, creating an immense shockwave of electrified sound like a thunderclap. The blast knocks Buzzsaw away before it can get close enough to attack.

Clemont follows, "Luxray, use Wild Charge!" Luxray sprints at Haking as it becomes cloaked in electricity.

James orders, "Haking, Sludge Bomb!" Haking spits several globs of sludge at Luxray, but the Pokémon runs right through all of them and rams into Haking.

Aida orders, "Thundroll, use Thunder!"

While Clemont simultaneously orders, "Luxray, Discharge!"

Both Pokémon attack together to thoroughly electrocute Team Rocket's Pokémon and knock them out.

Though Jessie and James are distressed by this quick loss, Meowth just laughs. "The fact that you two lugs are trying to battle with Pokémon when we have a fully operational battle robot under our control is just hilarious."

Jessie and James realize their mistake with some embarrassment. James comments. "Oh…yeah…that…"

"But no fear, I'll pick up your slack." Meowth leaps up and performs a mid-air backflip to land in the cockpit of his robot. The cockpit seals around him as the robot activates. It mirrors his stance as he strikes a pose. "Maybe you can take on those losers, but good luck beating the Meowthinator 3000!"

Aida doesn't look impressed. "Thundroll, knock it off balance with Thunderpeal!"

"Thuuundroooll!" Thundroll claps its hand to create another pulse of electrified sound. For a moment, the pulse pushes the Meowthinator back, but it quickly regains balance and points its claws at Thundroll. The claws separate from the fingers and fire like missiles.

Clemont shouts with urgency, "Luxray, stop the missiles with Swift!"

"Luuux raaay!" Luxray swipes its tail and sends a cascade of stars at the missile-claws. Several of them are destroyed by the attack, but not enough. Both Thundroll and Luxray are hit by missiles.

Meowth cackles with glee. "Face it! The Meowthinator 3000 is one of the most powerful robots we've ever built! It was designed to fight other robots! You can't possibly defeat it with unaided Pokémon!"

Clemont realizes, "That's it! Aida, you have to get Magnezone and the Mega Pokémon Mech Armor Combat Suit Mark Five over here! Fast!"

Aida objects, "But it doesn't have a power core! It's worthless!"

Clemont shakes his head. "Maybe not, but it does still have a power source! It can draw power from Magnezone!"

Aida shakes her head. "No! Not possible! I only programmed the thing to use Magnezone's power in tandem with the power core! It won't work!"

Clemont asserts confidently, "It will work. I built the hardware. I know what its capabilities are."

Aida looks uncertain, but after a moment of hesitation she nods. "Okay. We'll try it. Magnezone!"

Magnezone, equipped with its robot armor, comes marching over. "Magnezoooooone!"

Meowth laughs. "Ha! A half-functioning machine will have even less of a chance against me!" He grins smugly. "Let's tussle." He runs forward with the Meowthinator, grabs Magnezone and its robot, and throws it onto the stage. He then leaps up and lands next to it deliver a punch from above.

This gets the attention of Bob and Ted, who run to their announcement table and throw on their headsets. Bob asks, "Do my eyes deceive me, Ted, or did Teams Magnezone and Meowth decide to have at it a little early?"

"That seems to be the case, Bob. I couldn't tell you why, but I am here for it!"

Aida orders, "Magnezone, give yourself some breathing room!" Magnezone funnels its electricity through the suit and unleashes a pulse of energy. With Magnezone's electricity split between attacking and powering the robot, the attack isn't as strong, but it's enough to force Meowth to retreat slightly.

As Meowth lands after jumping back, he shouts, "Go! Fury Swipe Missiles!" He crosses the robot's arms before throwing them out and launching the claws on both hands.

Clemont urges, "Aida, the Aipom Arm should be nimble enough to grab one of the incoming missiles and throw it back at the rest!"

Aida nods. "You heard him, Magnezone!"

Magnezone extends the Aipom Arm and uses it the pluck the leading missile out of the air. It throws the thing into the rest of the missile swarm. When it explodes, it takes all the other missiles out with it.

Meowth shouts, "Then try this one on for size! Amulet Burst!" The amulet on the Meowthinator's forehead glows intensely, then the light is unleashed as a powerful shockwave.

Aida and Clemont both shout together, "Brace yourself!" Magnezone crosses the robot's arms and fires its back jets to withstand the onslaught of the pulse. Then they shout, "Fire the EM Cannon!"

"Zoooooone!" The electric cannon burst hits the Meowthinator and flings it back.

But Meowth isn't done yet. As the robot gets back up, he announces, "Ha! The Meowthinator 3000 incorporates the latest and greatest in Pika-proofing technologies! Your electrical attacks don't stand a chance!"

Clemont shakes his head in frustration. "He's right. We keep hitting the thing, but it just gets back up. It doesn't have any weaknesses."

Aida realizes something. "Maybe it doesn't, but your hardware does."

Clemont looks to her questioningly. "Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Your power core, it had to be cooled by Magnezone's body."

"You're right! It's likely starting to overheat as we speak!"

"So, let's hurry things along."

Together they order, "EM Cannon! Sustained!"

"Zooooooooooooooooone!" Magnezone fires the EM Cannon again, but this time with a long burst.

The Meowthinator holds up a paw to deflect the electricity. Meowth cackles with glee. "Are you twerps deaf!? I already said electricity won't do a thing!" He doesn't notice that his control board has begun to glow red hot. "I'll just have to teach the lesson the hard way!" He moves a paw to the controls, only to instantly recoil. "Yowzah! That's hot!"

Magnezone stops the attack to reveal that the entire robot is now glowing red hot as well.

Jessie shouts, "Cool it, Meowth!"

James adds, "Just play it cool!"

Meowth is sweating profusely. "Easy for you to say! I'm roasting in here!"

Clemont asserts, "It's so hot that one physical blow should destabilize the entire thing."

Aida nods. "Then that's the program we'll run!"

They once again order in unison, "Punch it!"

"Magnezone!" Magnezone's robot leaps forward and delivers its mightiest punch straight to the chest of the Meowthinator, before leaping back.

Cracks appear across the Meowth robot. From them, harsh light pours out.

Jessie and James gulp as they exchange nervous glances. Then they both shout, "She's going to blow!" They attempt to run, but when the Meowthinator blows up, they're quickly caught in the explosion as well. All three are sent rocketing into the air as they shout, "We're blasting off again!"

Bob announces excitedly, "We have our winner!"

Ted shouts, "Let's hear it for Team Magnezone!" The audience breaks out in applause.

Clemont and Aida share a high-five.

Ash and the others run up to them. Ash gushes, "That was great teamwork! An amazing battle too!"

Clemont grins at Aida. "I suppose we did make a pretty good team, didn't we?"

Aida shakes her head in disbelief. "I suppose we did."

Ted has run up to them and pushes a massive trophy featuring a robot on top into both Clemont and Aida's arms. "I am proud to present the winners of this year's Tenno Robotics Showcase Robot Battle Tournament!" The cheering continues.

Everyone has gathered outside of the convention center that hosted the Robotics Showcase. Clembot has also rejoined them. Clemont asks, "Wow Ash, I can't believe you're going to enter another Pokémon League."

Ash nods. "Yup. It won't be long before I'll be battling it out with the best trainers in the Tenno Region."

Clemont grins. "I still remember your time in the Kalos League. That was a spectacle to watch." He pauses. "Ash? Do you remember our battle?"

Ash nods. "How could I ever forget it?"

"That battle was super important to me. It was also the greatest battle I've ever had. If you give it your all at the Cosmic Conference like you did against me, then I have no doubt you can win it all."

Ash grins. "That's the plan."

Clemont turns to Aida. "And what about you, Aida? What's your plan?"

Aida responds, "My break's over now. I've got to go back to work. The Cape

Space Center computers need a complete overhaul after the Team Planetary incident." She looks at the trophy she's carrying and holds it up to Clemont. "I want you to have this."

Clemont is surprised. "Are you sure?"

Aida nods. "I was wrong to say your hardware didn't matter. This is how I want to apologize to you."

"Wow, I don't know what to say."

Brock abruptly shouts, "She's kind, too! That does it!" Suddenly he's kneeling before Aida. "Oh, sweet Aida. You're kind, smart, and strong! You're the perfect woman! That's why I—"

Brock is suddenly shoved aside. Now Bonnie has taken her hand. She shouts, "That's why you're a keeper! Won't you please take care of my brother!" Aida does her best to hide a blush.

Clemont shouts with equal parts anger and embarrassment, "Bonnie! I told you not to do that!" He uses his Aipom Arm to pick her up and drag her away. Everyone laughs at them.

Everyone except Brock, who looks incredibly confused. Too confused to say another word. Meteorfight has appeared to console him by patting him on the back.

Just like a robot's hardware and software, friends new and old work together in perfect harmony to forge a new chapter in the journey. Neither one is more important than the other. It's the two working together that makes the whole thing function.

To Be Continued…

If you haven't read it recently, be sure to re-read Chapter 1 of Cosmic Quest, as it was rewritten from scratch on 7/3/23. The rewrite increases the quality of the episode, adds plot elements, and also firmly establishing the timeline of Cosmic Quest in regard to the actual series.