Before you start the episode, be sure to start it right by listening to the fully realized opening theme of Cosmic Quest! See the Cosmic Quest Official Website or YouTube channel for the video.

Episode 172: Finals Fantasy

Night has fallen over League Village. Ash and Brenda are walking towards their lodge to turn in for the night, when someone shouts, "Hey, Ash!" It's Goh, who's running their way.

Ash is shocked to see him. "Goh!?"

It's the eve of the Cosmic Conference finals, one of the biggest matches of Ash's life, where he'll be battling against not just any opponent, but the world-renowned superhero, the Guardian. And it looks like a friend has shown up just in time to cheer him on.

Goh stops in front of Ash and grins. "Surprised to see me?"

Ash laughs. "Of course I'm surprised to see you! What are you doing here?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to cheer for you in the Cosmic Conference! I got back from my family vacation not too long ago, and Professor Cerise offered to send me here so I could watch the finals in person! Of course, it's also an excuse to catch some Tenno Pokémon! I've added 12 to my Pokédex already! Look!" He shows his Rotom Phone's screen to Ash. He scrolls quickly through many common Tenno Pokémon, such as Chipmunch, Squirrelutton, Glowva, Chrysalux, Apprentichick, Kittainer, and more.

Ash grins. "That's great, Goh. I'm glad you're enjoying it in Tenno."

Goh nods. "Who knows if I ever would have had an excuse to come here otherwise, so thanks for making it to the finals."

Ash chuckles. "I'm sure once we're both back to our fellowship work, we would have made it here eventually." Ash looks back to Brenda, who is standing patiently with her arms crossed, clearly used to this sort of situation by now. "Right, Brenda, you need to be introduced. Brenda, this is Goh. He's the other research fellow at Cerise Lab with me. We were traveling around the world for a little while before I came to Tenno. He wants to catch every Pokémon."

Brenda tilts her head skeptically. "Every Pokémon? Is that even possible?"

Goh grins as he corrects, "Noy just every Pokémon. Every Pokémon, and then Mew."

"I'm pretty sure Mew is included in every Pokémon."

"Is it, though?"

"Yeah. It is. And so are all the other Legendary Pokémon. How do you plan on capturing them?"

Goh shrugs. "I'm sure it will just happen if I keep at it for long enough."

Brenda questions critically, "It will just happen? As in, you'll just capture a Legendary Pokémon one day. And not just once?"

Goh nods. "Yeah, pretty much."

Brenda shrugs. "To each their own."

Ash explains to Goh, "Brenda has been traveling with me here in Tenno. She's a Pokémon Coordinator." Ash looks around. "My other friend, Brock, is here too, but he wanted to make sure he stayed behind to give Officer Jenny the most detailed report possible about the attack today."

Goh questions, "Attack? What attack?"

Brenda scoffs. "The supervillain attack. How could you not know about it?"

Goh is about to answer, when he spies something behind Brenda. "Oh! A new Pokémon!" He points at a Mosstone, a small Pokémon that looks like a rock covered in moss, that just opened its eyes to reveal itself as a Pokémon, rather than a rock. He pulls out a Pokéball and Scorbunny readies itself.

Brenda sighs. "Never mind, I can see how you didn't know now."

Goh throws his Pokéball. "Pokéball, go!"

Brenda objects, "Wait, aren't you going to battle it first?"

Ash chuckles. "Goh has his own way of doing things."

Brenda objects, "But you have to battle a wild Pokémon first. You can't just throw a Pokéball at it! It's Pokémon Training 101!"

Goh's Pokéball hits the Mosstone and wiggles several times before clicking. "Mosstone has been registered to your Pokédex."

Goh cheers, "I caught a Mosstone!"

Brenda shakes her head in disbelief. "B-b-but… You can't do that… That shouldn't work…"

Ash laughs at Brenda's stunned reaction. "I stopped questioning it a while ago. Somehow, Goh makes it work. I couldn't tell you how, but he does."

Brenda sighs. "Right. Somehow… Just like he'll somehow capture a Legendary Pokémon… This guy is something else."

Ash asks, "If you don't mind turning in on your own, Brenda, I'd like to catch up with Goh a little before going to bed."

Brenda nods. "Of course. Just don't forget, you have a big day ahead of you. You need your sleep more than anyone tonight."

Ash grins at her. "Thanks, Brenda. No need to worry about me. I'll be fine."

Brenda nods. "Hey Ash, good luck tomorrow. I know you can do it." Ash nods in acknowledgement as she turns to enter their lodge.

Who's That Pokémon!?

It clings to branches and ceilings using its threads and moves without a sound. It takes out its prey before the prey even notices it.

Ash and Goh sit on the same hill where Ash and Braydon were two nights prior. Together, they look up at the beautiful Tenno starscape. Goh asks, "So Ash, how are you feeling about tomorrow?"

Ash pauses to consider his answer. "I'm…not really sure…"

Goh looks with surprise at Ash. "Did I just hear that right? Ash Ketchum isn't certain he's going to win a battle!? Who are you, and what have you done with my friend?"

Ash laughs with Goh for a moment before explaining, "This battle is really huge for me. Before the Alola League, I had only ever made it to the finals of a Pokémon League once. That was in Kalos. I've battled against some of my toughest opponents ever during league matches. Harrison, Tyson, Tobias, and Alain were all some of the absolute most powerful trainers I've ever battled. And they all beat me. Just like Leon beat me."

Goh nods. "Oh, this is about the World Coronation Series, isn't it?"

Ash nods. "If I want to prove myself strong enough to compete in the World Coronation Series, then I have to prove myself strong enough to defeat anyone that I might face in a Pokémon League. The Guardian is going to be one of my strongest opponents ever, I just know it. But I have to beat him. Winning the Cosmic Conference means so much more to me than any other league conference I've entered."

Goh suggests, "But what if you don't beat him tomorrow?"

Ash hesitates. "Then that's a pretty big sign that I'll never be able to beat Leon, and that I shouldn't bother entering the World Coronation Series."

Goh suddenly stands up and puts his hands on his hips as he lectures, "Hey! What gives? That's not the Ash I know talking!"

Ash is caught off-guard. "Huh!? What are you talking about?"

"The Ash I know would enter the World Coronation Series no matter what happens tomorrow! The Ash I know would take on any challenge, no matter the odds! And you know what? The Ash I know would keep on going until he meets his goals, no matter what they may be!"

Ash pauses for a moment, then grins. "You're right, Goh. Silly me. I've let this all get to my head, didn't I? I came to Tenno in the first place for one last chance at a Pokémon League before putting it all on the line in the World Coronation Series. But who ever said I need to win the Cosmic Conference to enter the World Coronation Series? Whether I win or lose tomorrow, I still want to battle Leon again more than anything, and if I want to battle Leon, then the only way to do that is enter the World Coronation Series."

Goh smiles as he sits back down. "Now you're sounding more like the Ash I know. So, let me ask again. How are you feeling about tomorrow?"

Ash looks at Goh with a determined smile plastered across his face. "Excited, because no matter if I win or lose, it's going to be a battle for the ages!"

"That's the spirit!"

It's Spidops!

Cheers and applause fill the stadium. The entirety of the battle area of the stadium has been filled with a volcanic simulacrum. Unlike other league battlefield, this battleground takes up the entirety of the arena floor and has no boundary lines painted on the floor. There are pits of lava, craters, and spires spewing smoke. One corner even features a hot spring.

In the audience, Brock and Brenda have taken their seats and watch eagerly as they wait for the battle to begin. Goh and Scorbunny are sitting elsewhere in the stadium. Jessie, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet are disguised as concessions salespeople again, but this time actually doing the job. Despite them feigning disinterest, all of them continue to take glances towards the battlefield, especially James.

In a special booth above the audience, Galileo silently looks down on the battlefield.

But it's not just those in the stadium who are watching with great interest. In Launch Town, Professor Pine is watching the match on holovision from his lab. Next door, both Braydon and Leo are watching together.

In a Pokémon Center, Ryu is sitting at a table. While he's not actively watching the broadcast that's on, his eyes do drift towards it.

From his office at Team Planetary HQ, Cosmo is watching the broadcast with Andromeda.

At another Pokémon Center, even Brandon has stopped to watch the match. Chris sits next to him with his eyes glued to the holovision.

Beyond Tenno, even more have their eyes on the match. It looks like there's been a reunion of the Protectors, as Gliscorman, Accelguard, and Blaziken Mask have all gathered to watch the match from some sort of superhero hideout.

In Kanto, Professor Cerise, Chloe, and the rest of their family are on the couch watching it on TV.

In Pallet Town, Ash's Mom, Professor Oak, and Tracey, have all gathered to watch at Oak's Lab. Many of Ash's Pokémon watch through the window behind them.

The announcer declares, "Here it is! The final battle of this year's Tenno League Cosmic Conference is about to unfold! And it's going to one for the books! Please join me in welcoming our finalists! To the north, a talented young trainer who placed in League Conferences around the word! His resumé is as impressive as they get! Indigo Plateau Conference: Top 16! Silver Conference: Top 8! Ever Grande Conference: Top 8! Lily of the Valley Conference: Top 4! Vertress Conference: Top 8! Lumiose Conference: Runner-Up! And, most recently, Manalo Conference: Champion! As if all that wasn't impressive enough, he's also a Champion of the Orange League and conqueror of the Kanto Battle Frontier! All the way from Pallet Town in Kanto, it's Ash Ketchum!"

Ash steps out onto the battlefield to a roar of applause. He waves to the audience, but his attention is straight ahead to where his opponent will emerge.

And to the south, we have a living legend! A real-life superhero! He's saved more lives than anyone can count! Whenever there's danger, we all know we can count on him! He led the Protectors to victory against the vile Bushido! He goes by many names! The Silent Shadow! The Hero from the Dark! The Stealthy Hand of Justice! And, as of yesterday, Kage of the Shadow Clan! But we all know him best as the Guardian!"

There's another explosion of applause, but Kage doesn't step out onto the field. After a moment, the fanfare begins to die as the audience grow confused. Ash looks around in puzzlement.

But then a valent voice declares from above, "The Guardian is here!"

Ash looks up to the Guardian, in full costume, perched atop a tall and thin spire, striking a heroic pose as the long tie of his mask flutters in the breeze. The applause and cheer instantly resume. The Guardian performs a backflip to land in his position on the field.

Ash grins. "You really did it. I really get to face the Guardian in a battle!" He looks stoked.

The Guardian nods. "Ash, there is much I owe you. The least I can do is go all out in this battle. Are you prepared to face my team of Pokémon, all trained in the ninja arts, who are each every bit the superhero that I am?"

Ash nods confidently. "Completely."

Ash and the Guardian's faces appear on the scoreboard. Six Pokéball icons spread out from their images to represent their team of Pokémon. The announcer declares, "Let the Cosmic Conference Final Round begin!"

Both Ash and the Guardian call upon their Pokémon simultaneously.

Ash points forward and declares, "Pikachu, I choose you!"

While the Guardian throws his Pokéball like a shuriken and declares, "Emerge from the shadows, Scizor!"

Pikachu runs forward and is met by the Guardian's Scizor.

Brenda gasps. "Wow, Ash isn't messing around if he's starting this battle off with Pikachu!"

Brock nods in agreement. "Ash doesn't know what to expect from Kage in their battle. They may have worked together before, but they've never battled. And certainly, a superhero is going to battle differently from any other opponent. Ash needs to start this battle off strong if he has any hope of winning."

The Guardian orders, "Forward, Scizor! Ninja Arts: X-Scissor!"

"Scizor!" With tremendous speed like that expected from one of the Guardian's Pokémon, Scizor bursts forward towards Pikachu. It hovers just above the ground, allowing its wings to carry it forward.

Ash promptly orders, "On the ground, Pikachu!"

Pikachu falls flat to its stomach just as Scizor approaches it and slashes its pincers in an X formation. But Scizor just keeps moving straight over Pikachu.

"Now use Thunderbolt!"

"Pikaaaaaa chuuuuuuu!"

"Double Team Jitsu!" Scizor multiplies itself into a ring of clones that surround Pikachu. The Thunderbolt hits one of them, but seems to do nothing to the shadowy clone. "Bullet Punch!" All of the Scizor clones converge inwards on Pikachu with silver glowing pincers.

Pikachu frantically looks about in an attempt to figure out which one is the real one. But it doesn't matter. Even if Pikachu could tell, it would have no time to react to rapid attack. The clones disappear an instant before the real Scizor delivers a barrage of rapid punches at Pikachu. "Pikaaaaaa!" Pikachu hurtles back from the hits.

"Don't relent! X-Scissor!"

Even as Pikachu tumbles through the air, Scizor dashes forward even faster than it and ends up behind it so that it can use X-Scissor at the exact moment that Pikachu ends up in its range. Now Pikachu is sent hurtling in the opposite direction.

"Now Razor Wind!"

"Scizoooor!" Scizor slashes its pincers through the air, which creates two mighty blades of wind that pursue Pikachu. Somehow, they were timed to hit Pikachu at the exact moment Pikachu collides into a volcanic spire.

Brenda twinges with empathy. "Poor Pikachu…"

Elsewhere, Goh comments to himself, "Wow, he's got Pikachu on the ropes already. This guy is something else…"

Pikachu manages to stand after the last attack, but it's clearly in bad shape. Looking concerned, Ash shouts, "Pikachu, return!"

For a moment, Pikachu looks like it wants to argue with Ash's order, but then decides against it. It runs back to Ash.

Ash looks down to Pikachu and says, "Don't worry, buddy. You helped me prove something I've been speculating. The only way we're going to beat the Guardian is if we can match him either in tactics or in speed. Power alone won't be enough." He holds a Pokéball up as he stares across the field to his opponent with determination. "But that's fine, because I brought plenty of speed with me today!" He throws the Pokéball. "Sceptile, I chose you!"

"Sceptile."

Brock grins. "If Ash wanted speed, then he chose the right Pokémon. Sceptile definitely stands a chance at matching Scizor's movement."

The Guardian restarts the battle with, "X-Scissor!"

Ash grins. "Leaf Blade!"

With its same blinding speed, Scizor is suddenly upon Sceptile faster than nearly any Pokémon could react. And yet, Sceptile has already raised its glowing Leaf Blades to parry Scizor's claws before it can slash them at it.

Scizor looks to Sceptile with some surprise registering on its face. Sceptile grins gloatingly at it.

Ash is grinning too. "Leaf Storm!"

"Scep tiiiiiile!" Sceptile quickly spins about and slams its tail into the surprised Scizor. As Scizor is knocked away, Sceptile unleashes a torrent of glowing leaves from its tail that buffet Scizor as it skids back.

The Guardian gives an impressed nod. "Not many Pokémon can keep up with the speed of those trained in ninjutsu. I commend you for that." He pauses. "But now that we know your true capabilities, can you truly keep up with us? Scizor, use Bullet Punch!"

"Scizor!" Scizor lunges forward.

"Agility! Then Leaf Blade!"

"Tiiile!" Sceptile rushes forward as well, with a white streak of light trailing behind it as it moves with more than enough speed to match Scizor. The two Pokémon collide mid-field, counter each other's blows, bounce back, then try again from a different angle. This continues for several goes with neither able to get the upper hand.

Then the Guardian orders, "Double Team! Then Razor Wind!"

Instead of leaping forward again, Scizor duplicates itself, with each one of them creating scythes of wind from their slashing claws.

With Sceptile still running forward for its next strike, Ash orders, "Up and over, then give me a wide-arc Leaf Blade!" Sceptile is able to use its momentum to nimble leap over all of the Razor Winds. As it lands in front of the clones, it holds an arm up and its wrist leaf grows to an incredibly long size before it slashes it in a wide arc that hits each and every Scizor, even striking the real one part way through. "And Leaf Storm!"

"Sceptiiiiiile!" Sceptile blasts the revealed Scizor with the full power of its Leaf Storm at a close range. Scizor is blasted away. As it flies back through the air, the various leaves continue to pummel it over and over. It slams against a boulder, and then collapses to the ground.

"Scizor is unable to battle!"

Goh cheers, "Way to go, Ash!"

Brenda is contemplating something. "So, Ash managed to get the first knock out, but does that really mean anything when he nearly lost Pikachu in the process?"

Brock looks to agree with her thoughts. "Despite taking a lead in numbers, I think Ash is the one behind now. Especially now that the Guardian knows he can't rely on speed alone to overwhelm Ash. But it's still early in the match. Anything could happen."

After recalling Scizor, the Guardian pulls out his next Pokéball. He announces, "Your Sceptile would make a fine shinobi. However, you will find that even it cannot withstand the years of training backed by the traditions of my people. Emerge from the shadows, Ceruledge!" He throws the Pokéball to send out Ceruledge.

"Ceruuuule."

Ash comments to himself, "That's the Pokémon that the Guardian used to overwhelm Bushido's Golisopod with its continuous and quick attacks. Sceptile! Be careful!"

Sceptile readjusts the twig in its mouth. "Sceptile."

The Guardian orders, "Swordplay, go!"

"Cerule! Ceruledge increases the length of its blades and lunges at Sceptile.

"Sceptile! Parry with Leaf Blade!"

As Ceruledge slashes a blade down towards Sceptile's left, Sceptile brings up a Leaf Blade to block it. Not even a moment later, and Ceruledge is already moving to attack with its other sword, but Sceptile is able to parry that slash as well. Ceruledge skillfully pulls back on its blades, then adjusts their momentum to swing back at Sceptile even faster. Despite this, Sceptile still manages to counter. They keep up at this for several more rapid swings.

But then the Guardian suddenly orders, "Incinerate!"

While still slashing and forcing Sceptile to focus on blocking, Ceruledge launches an orb of blue flames straight at Sceptile.

Sceptile's eyes widen as it notices its predicament. I can block the fire ball, but then Ceruledge blades would hit. If it stops the blades, then it won't have time to block the fire.

Ash, realizing the same, orders, "Stop the Incinerate!"

Sceptile trusts in Ash's order and uses Leaf Blade to slice clean through the Incinerate, forcing it to fizzle out. But a split moment later and both of Ceruledge's blades strike Sceptile from opposite sides. Sceptile skids back from the force of the attack.

Brock comments, "That was good quick thinking on Ash's part."

Brenda objects, "But Sceptile still got hit."

"Yes, but Ash had only a split second to prioritize which move to block. Stopping the super effective Fire-Type move was definitely the right choice."

Brenda nods reluctantly. "But Ceruledge still gained a powerful blow against Sceptile either way. That really was a ninja steak attack. Even from plain sight."

Ash pulls out a Pokéball. "Sceptile, return!" He swaps it out and comments, "Not many Pokémon could match Ceruledge's rapid-fire speed. So, let's try a different tactic. Muk, I choose you!"

"Muuuuuk!" The sludge Pokémon appears and raises its dripping arms to announce its presence.

Brock crosses his arms as he chuckles at Muk's appearance. "This should be interesting. If I recall correctly, Ash has only battled with Muk two other times, and the last time was way back in the Johto League. Despite that, it's a powerful Pokémon that seriously did a lot in both of those battles."

Brenda looks at Muk skeptically. "I'll trust that Ash knows what he's doing." She looks slightly disgusted by its appearance.

The Guardian orders, "Once again! Swordplay!"

"Eeedge!" Ceruledge leaps at Muk to slash at it with its blades. However, Ash seems to make no attempt to find a way for Muk to counter or avoid the attack. So, Ceruledge's first blade comes down on Muk, immediately followed by its second. But both blades are instantly slowed by Muk's sludge-like body. Despite all the force delivered in the slashes, the blades now slowly sink into Muk, causing it no harm of any kind.

The Guardian gasps. "What's this!?"

Ash grins. "Muk is as tough as they come! It can absorb any blow!"

"Ceruledge, get out of there!"

"Ceruuule!" Ceruledge attempts to pull its blades out from Muk's body, but they're stuck. It continues to struggle.

Ash grins. "Muk, show them your Body Slam!"

"Muuuuuuk!" Despite its bulk, Muk springs forward, bringing the entirety of its body up and over Ceruledge, then slams down onto it, covering it entirely. Ceruledge struggles to free itself, but Muk has completely immobilized itself.

But the Guardian does not seem worried. Instead, he orders, "Use Phantom Force!"

Ceruledge stops struggling. Instead, a purple portal opens on the ground beneath it, and Ceruledge sinks into it, leaving Muk entirely.

Another portal opens behind Muk, and Ceruledge leaps out. As it does, it slashes its blade to create a shockwave of blue flames that strike Muk from behind.

Ash orders, "Turn and use Sludge Bomb!"

Instead of turning its entire body, Muk twists its upper torso about to face Ceruledge and flings a glob of sludge from its body.

"Dodge!" Ceruledge gracefully leaps away from the attack. "And use Incinerate!"

Ash grins. "Volatile Gas! Now!"

"Muk!" A thick, purple cloud of gas pours out from Muk's mouth. This gas quickly fills the space between Muk and Ceruledge as the latter launches its ball of flames. The instant the flames hit the cloud, the gas ignites into an incandescent explosion, which blows Ceruledge back.

With Ceruledge on the ground, Ash orders again, "Sludge Bomb! One more time!"

"Muuuuk!" Muk throws an even larger Sludge Bomb this time. It acts fast to make sure that Ceruledge doesn't have a chance to strike. It hits and explodes into a sticky mess. Ceruledge attempts to get up, but the Sludge Bomb has it stuck to the floor.

"And now Mud Bomb!"

"Muuuuuuk!" Muk hurls a barrage of muddy globs at its immobilized target.

The Guardian orders, "Retreat into the shadows! Phantom Force!" The ghostly portal opens beneath Ceruledge once more and it sinks into it. But, just before the portal closes, Muk's Mud Bombs slip in as well. When the portal reappears above Muk, Ceruledge is blasted out from the impact of the Mud Bomb. It crashes into the floor.

"Ceruledge is unable to battle!"

"I knew you could do it, Muk!"

"Muuuk!"

Brenda gasps, "Ash is actually beating a superhero! This is incredible!"

Brock agrees, "Given the caliber of his opponent, Ash is really doing well. He's made a series of good calls so far. I hope he can keep it up."

As the Guardian recalls Ceruledge, he announces, "Your Pokémon are formidable, Ash Ketchum. They have fared well against my ninja techniques. But what you have seen so far is but a glimpse of the true scope of my abilities." He readies his next Pokéball. "Lucario, emerge from the shadows!"

Lucario appears in a meditative stance with its eyes closed and grunts. Aura flares out from its palms.

Ash appears pleased at the prospect of battling a Lucario. He waits for a moment to see if the Guardian is going to make a move. When no action is taken, he instead orders, "Muk, give it your best Mud Bomb!"

Muk fires another assortment of muddy projectiles, but Lucario, without even opening its eyes, effortlessly dodges out of the way.

Ash gasps. "It's using its Aura-sensing abilities to read our movements!"

The Guardian takes an appraising look of Ash. "So, you are familiar with the concept of Aura, are you? Then let's see how you plan on combating its potent power. Lucario, Force Palm!"

Lucario at last opens its eyes and rushes forwards at Muk.

"Intercept it with Sludge Bomb!"

Muk flings an extra-large Sludge Bomb straight at Lucario, but even as it's still launching the attack, Lucario moves out of the attack's path, dodging it with graceful ease. Then, as it approaches Muk, it pulls an arm back to ready its attack.

Just before striking, Ash's focus suddenly shifts, as if he heard something off in the distance, but he quickly refocuses on Muk.

Lucario thrusts its palm forward into Muk's body. The open palm buries itself into Muk's sludge.

Goh questions, "But why? He had to know Muk would absorb the blow just like with Ceruledge."

Goh's question is answered when an explosive force erupts from Lucario's sunken palm. The sludge surrounding it is stretched off by the expanding shockwave of the Force Palm. The burst then sends Muk tumbling back. At the same time, Lucario uses the recoil of the attack to push itself backwards into the air.

"Follow with Aura Sphere!"

Lucario shouts as it generates a blue orb of energy that it throws down at the tumbling Muk. Despite Muk's movement, Lucario perfectly aims the Aura Sphere to strike Muk. The orb explodes, then clears to reveal Muk lying limply on the ground.

"Muk is unable to battle!"

Lucario lands in front of the Guardian and adopts a one-footed stance with one hand up and another forward. Its palms glow with the blue energy of Aura.

Ash comments, "Time to go back to the speed strategy. Just a little more, Sceptile!"

"Tile."

"Sceptile, Agility and Leaf Blade! Go!"

Instantly, the Guardian commands, "Extreme Speed and Force Palm!"

Both Sceptile and Lucario rush at each other with such great speed that they leave a motion blur trail in their wake. Both try to get the upper hand on the other by running to the side, which results in them running circles around each other. Somehow, at the exact same time, both abruptly turn towards the center of the circle to strike. Lucario thrusts one palm at Sceptile, but Sceptile uses one of its blades to knock the arm aside. Sceptile immediately follows with its other blade to slash at Lucario's body, but Lucario uses its other arm to Force Palm the Leaf Blade away.

Ash's focus seems to stutter for a moment, but then he shouts, "Sceptile! Leap! Now!"

Sceptile seems surprised by Ash's sudden order, but it listens and jumps straight up with speed still powered by the Agility.

The Guardian raises a brow.

The timing was perfect, because it ends up jumping over Lucario coming in for a double-handed Force Palm that would have overwhelmed any defense.

"Now use Leaf Storm!" From above, Sceptile rains down a destructive storm of glowing leaves on Lucario.

Brenda exclaims, "No way! How did Ash predict that attack!?"

As Sceptile lands back on the ground, Ash orders, "Follow with Solar Beam!" Sceptile begins gathering solar energy into the seeds on its back.

"Lucario! Use Double Team and Force Palm!"

Lucario splits into half a dozen clones and each of them dash at Sceptile as its charges its attack.

"Attack them all, Sceptile!"

"Sceptiiiiiiile!" Sceptile unleashes its Solar Beam in a wide arc that sweeps across all the Lucario, forcing all them to disappear.

Ash realizes, "The real one is somewhere else! Protect yourself!"

But as he's ordering it, Lucario has already reappeared behind Sceptile and blasted it with a double-handed Force Palm. The shockwave rockets Sceptile forward. Sceptile tumbles head-over-heals forward until is crashes into the rock wall surrounding one of the battlefield's calderas.

"Aura Sphere!" Lucario prepares its next Aura Sphere.

Ash urges, "Sceptile! You've got to get up! There's no dodging that Aura Sphere! Use Leaf Blade to stop it!"

"Scep…" Sceptile forces itself to stand up, despite its intense injuries. Its wrist leaves glow as it prepares the Leaf Blade. Then Lucario fires the Aura Sphere. And, as if Lucario knew exactly the right time to attack, Sceptile staggers forward the moment it would need to defend itself and the Aura Sphere strikes. Sceptile collapses to the ground.

"Sceptile is unable to battle!"

Goh says with fearful realization, "That Lucario is one powerful Pokémon! Come on, Ash! You can pull through this!"

Ash recalls Sceptile. For a moment, he's averting his eyes from the battlefield.

The Guardian announces, "Do not be ashamed, Ash Ketchum. You are battling valiantly."

Ash looks up to the Guardian, but rather than looking ashamed, he looks excited. "Ashamed? What's there to be ashamed about! I'm battling the Guardian! And he's giving me everything he's got! This is amazing!"

The Guardian chuckles. "I see I misread you. Very well. Show me what else you've got."

Ash grins. "This next one is bound to impress you. It's much more your style, too." He throws his next Pokéball. "Let's go, Greninja!"

"Greninja!" Greninja stands up straight in a ninja pose before crouching back down in its traditional stance.

The Guardian nods. "I see. Ninjitsu is not your only ninja Pokémon."

Ash grins. "That's not even the reason I thought you would like it. You see, Greninja is a bit of a superhero itself. It's been off in the Kalos Region helping to protect it from evil forces." He grins at Greninja. "Glad Squishy was able to spare you for a bit. It feels good to be back together."

Greninja agrees, "Ninja."

The Guardian nods. "Fascinating. Then show me the ability of this kindred spirit."

"Will do! Greninja! Use Water Shuriken!"

"Gren ninja!" Greninja creates two shurikens out of water, one in each hand, and throws both of them in opposite directions at Lucario.

"Lucario, dodge!" Lucario jumps up, but quickly senses through Aura that the Water Shurikens have been angled so that they turn and fly upwards in order to hit it from below. The Guardian orders, "Aura Sphere, straight down!" Lucario quickly creates in Aura Sphere and launches it down at the incoming Water Shurikens. The two attacks collide and destroy each other.

Ash immediately follows, "Use Aerial Ace!"

"Ninja!" Greninja leaps up with incredible speed, performing a front flip as it does. Its arms glow as it moves in close to Lucario to strike.

"Force Palm!"

Lucario use one arm to swat Greninja's initial strike away, then delivers a blow to Greninja's body.

But Greninja is able to contort its body back, avoiding the strike entirely. As it twists about, it delivers series of rapid kicks to Lucario that the Pokémon was unprepared to counter.

For a brief moment as Ash watches the attack, he suddenly sees the battle from Greninja's perspective. From this vantage, he notices Lucario regaining control of itself and moving its arms together in the exact way it does to use Aura Sphere. This is something Ash wouldn't have been able to notice from his own perspective with the two Pokémon up the air like the are. Both Ash and Greninja nod at the exact same time, despite not looking at one another.

Ash shouts, "Use Cut!" Just as Lucario is launching the surprise Aura Sphere, Greninja is creating a kunai knife out of compressed water that it uses to slice straight through the Aura Sphere. It continues the attack forward and slashes at Lucario. Both Pokémon land on the ground at that moment, but Lucario stumbles back from the attack.

Brenda says with awe, "Wow! Those two are in perfect sync!"

Brock agrees, "This does seem different than usual, even for Ash."

As Lucario stands back up, it stares at Greninja carefully and grunts something skeptical.

The Guardian says, "My Lucario senses something different about Greninja. Just what is the secret you're hiding?"

Ash smiles. "Let's let everyone in on the secret, Greninja! We'll show them all our strength!"

"Greniiiinjaaa!"

Both Ash and Greninja stand up straight and hold their right arms into the air. Blue phantasmal forms of the two of them appear standing next to each other. As both of them shout the two forms overlay. There's a massive flash, and then a whirling vortex of water encases Greninja as the Pokémon glows and transforms.

Goh questions in awe, "What's happening…?"

The whirlpool explodes off from Greninja, who has transformed into Ash-Greninja. The water then reforms into a massive Water Shuriken on Greninja's back.

Brenda gasps in shock. "Greninja! It looks just like Ash! What is this!?"

For once, Brock doesn't have an answer. "I…don't know… I've heard stories about Pokémon growing to look like their trainers, but this is something else entirely…"

The Guardian, though surprised, also seems to know exactly what's happening. "The Bond Phenomenon. How is it that you came to possess the power of the Legendary Ninja Hero?"

Ash grins. "I was wondering if your village had the same legend as the Kalos Ninja Village. To tell the truth, I don't know why Greninja can do this, but we have made this power our own. Right, Greninja?"

"Greninja!"

The Guardian declares, "Lucario, be on guard!"

Lucario shouts as it allows Aura to cloak its entire body. Its head tails lift into the air under the influence of this power.

"Extreme Speed!" Lucario bursts forward at Greninja.

Ash closes his eyes and sees through Greninja's perspective. Seeing that Lucario is coming slightly from the right, he orders "Dodge to the left! Then Water Shuriken!"

Greninja leaps to the side as it turns to face Lucario right as it passes by. It grabs the Water Shuriken off its back and throws it at Lucario.

The Guardian orders, "Dodge, then Force Palm!" Lucario, still glowing with Aura, senses the exact movements of the Water Shuriken and ducks underneath the star, then, while still coming back up from its dodge, prepares a double-handed Force Palm to strike Greninja with. Greninja attempts to leap back to dodge, but Lucario is too fast. The strike lands, hitting Greninja right in the lower chest.

Ash's arms move to his lower chest as he grunts in pain.

Brock gasps. "Is Ash feeling what Greninja feels?"

Brenda realizes, "They're so in sync with each other that they're sharing everything! That's incredible!"

With both Ash and Greninja recoiling from the last hit, the Guardian orders, "Double Team! Full spread! Then Aura Sphere!" Lucario leaps up as it splits into several dozen clones, completely surrounding Greninja, with each one overflowing with Aura, and each creating an Aura Sphere of their own.

Greninja looks up at the incoming assault, and Ash looks as well through Greninja's eyes. Both seem momentarily stunned by not only the sheer number of duplicates moving in to attack, but also the size of the Aura Spheres they're creating. To strike them all would be difficult, if not impossible. What is impossible is to tell which is the real Lucario. And if even one attack gets through, the damage would catastrophic.

The Guardian proclaims, "There's no escaping this technique! Ninja Art: Aura Storm!"

The look on Ash and Greninja's face seem to show they agree.

Brock, Brenda, Goh, and Team Rocket all watch with bated breath. Everyone watching the broadcast around the world also seem on edge as the question if Ash can find a way out of the attack.

The Guardian is proving himself to be every bit as formidable of an opponent as we all knew he would be. If his Pokémon have techniques like this at their disposal, is there anything that Ash can do to fight back? Is even the power of the Bond Phenomenon not enough? The only way to see how this goes is to stay tuned.

To Be Continued…