BW098: Meloetta and the Undersea Temple!

is the 48th episode of Pokémon: BW Rival Destinies.
==Synopsis==
While Ash is doing some special training at Cynthia’s house in preparation for the Unova League, the villains of Team Rocket are finishing preparations to launch their latest diabolical scheme: Operation Tempest!
After watching a training battle, Meloetta wants in on the action! Ash and Krookodile have just accepted Meloetta’s challenge when an enormous Golurk descends upon the battlefield, ridden by its Trainer, Ridley—who immediately accuses Ash of being a villain and kidnapping Meloetta! The misunderstanding is quickly sorted out, and Ridley explains that he’s one of Meloetta’s protectors, and that he and Golurk have been looking for the Mythical Pokémon for quite some time after it was taken away by some unknown villains.
The villains in question quickly make themselves known: a pair of Team Rocket agents have tracked Meloetta to Cynthia’s house, intending to recapture it! Ridley says he and Golurk will battle them while Ash and the others get Meloetta out of harm’s way, and they run—but their path is soon blocked by Jessie, James, and Meowth! Iris and Cilan stand against them while Ash, Pikachu, and Meloetta go on alone.
Unfortunately, they’re playing right into Team Rocket’s hands, and the Boss is waiting to apprehend them! Giovanni and his Persian trap Ash and Pikachu in a cage, and he orders Meloetta to surrender or watch its friends be hurt. Meloetta has no choice, and the three of them are taken onto Team Rocket’s helicopter, then transferred into a submarine that descends to a ruined temple at the bottom of Undella Bay.
Ash watches helplessly as Meloetta is restrained inside the temple. Dr. Zager begins to play a recording of Meloetta’s haunting song, which unlocks an ancient seal, transforming the temple and raising it to the surface of the bay. As soon as the path is clear, Giovanni makes his way to the innermost part of the temple and claims the Reveal Glass—a mystical mirror with unknown powers! What is Operation Tempest really about? Could this be the greatest threat the Unova region has ever faced?!
==Episode plot==
At a platform in the middle of the sea, Team Rocket meet up with Giovanni, who has landed. Giovanni is pleased, for Team Rocket will control Unova and orders the launch of Operation Tempest. Meanwhile, Ash trains with Cilan, as his Oshawott blocks Pansage's Bullet Seed. Meloetta praises Oshawott, approaches him and sings a song. A man flies with Golurk and recognizes her voice. The song causes Meloetta to change form and points at Oshawott. Cilan believes she wants to battle Oshawott. Ash accepts this and orders Aqua Jet, but Oshawott does not want to attack Meloetta, having a crush on her. Ash calls Oshawott back and sends Krookodile instead. Meloetta uses Hyper Voice, affecting Krookodile, who uses Stone Edge, but is countered by Meloetta's Close Combat.
Jervis gets a call from Cynthia, who informs him she will be coming home. Jervis reports Meloetta is helping with the heroes' special training. Cynthia is glad to hear that and promises to be back before dawn. Krookodile uses Dragon Claw, but is stopped by a flashing light, as a Golurk appears in the middle of the field. A man appears, whom Meloetta recognizes and is thrilled by his appearance. The man accuses Ash to have stolen Meloetta and orders Golurk to use Flash Cannon. Meloetta rushes to Ash, who explains he is not his enemy. However, a camera spies all of them. The man apologizes for the trouble and introduces himself as Ridley, who senses Meloetta likes Ash. Ash asks why Ridley called him a villain, so Ridley explains one day when Meloetta was playing in the field, she was captured by some people. He tried to get her back, but a Yamask came and used Haze.
He finishes by saying until now, he has been searching for Meloetta. Iris asks if Meloetta belongs to Ridley, but he explains nobody owns Meloetta instead the two have lived together. In fact, they are protecting her from these villains. Meloetta sees a camera and Ridley realizes the villains know Meloetta is here. Ridley leaves, for his friends found a new place where they can protect Meloetta. He exits the house, but is soon covered by Haze. Ridley goes to leave on Golurk, but Golurk is hit by a Golem. A Power Gem is launched, so Golurk uses Flash Cannon to intercept. The heroes notice a Rhydon as well and two people, who are members of Team Rocket. Rhydon uses Megahorn, which is countered by Golurk's Strength, while Golem uses Rock Blast. The heroes leave with Meloetta, while Golurk uses Heavy Slam, hitting Rhydon. Golem uses Steamroller, which Golurk endures.
The heroes run and Meloetta becomes invisible. Suddenly, Will O' Wisp surrounds the heroes, as they encounter Jessie, James, Meowth, Yamask, and Woobat. Team Rocket sees Meloetta with their gear on and Yamask uses Will O' Wisp, hitting Meloetta. The heroes demand to know why are Team Rocket after Meloetta, but Team Rocket refuses to speak about it. However, they thank the twerps, for they managed to make Meloetta sing her song. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt, but misses and gets hit by Woobat's Air Slash, with Yamask using Haze. Axew uses Dragon Rage, but misses, while Cilan sends Pansage, who uses Bullet Seed. Ash leaves with Meloetta, while Iris and Cilan fight Jessie and James. Suddenly, Ash is ambushed by a Persian. Meloetta turns invisible, while Ash faces Persian and its owner, Giovanni.
Persian uses Shadow Claw, but is hit by Pikachu's Iron Tail. Persian uses Power Gem, hitting Pikachu, knocking Ash and Pikachu down. Meloetta appears and rushes to Ash and Pikachu, who are being captured in a cage. Giovanni forces Meloetta to do his bidding, as the cage with Ash and Pikachu begins to shrink. Meloetta yells, stopping the shrinking, which pleases Giovanni, who calls Persian back. Iris and Cilan come and witness Meloetta being taken into the aircraft along with Ash and Pikachu, as Team Rocket plans to use them as hostages for Meloetta. Team Rocket enters the aircraft as well, replying the twerps got delayed instead. Iris and Cilan see the aircraft flying away and notice Ridley is here. As Team Rocket dives with their submarine, Ash tells Meloetta everything will be okay. They arrive at the depth of the sea, at a temple. Dr. Zager explains the temple disappeared long time ago into the sea and couldn't be found until now.
They enter the temple's inner chamber and everyone emerges. Meloetta is terrified of the place, but Giovanni is convinced Meloetta knows what this place is. Meloetta is placed near a statue, while Giovanni promises should she resist, Ash and Pikachu would pay the price. Meloetta is placed into the statue, while Team Rocket explain for this ceremony Meloetta would have to sing herself, but they recorded the song. They play her song, which opens the center of the chamber. Outside, Ridley hears Meloetta's song. Giovanni thanks Meloetta, for this song unlocks a special seal of the temple. Giovanni comes to the center, which raises the Reveal Glass, while Meloetta begins to be consumed by the power.
Meanwhile, Iris, Cilan, and Ridley report to Cynthia, who came back. Cynthia orders Jervis to prepare the ship, while Ridley needs to point the path where Meloetta, Ash and Pikachu are. Cynthia asks Ridley what is the power which Team Rocket desires from Meloetta. Giovanni unleashes the power, rising the underwater temple back to surface, as the Project Tempest starts.
==Debuts==
===Character===
*Ridley
=== Pokemon ===
* Golurk
===Move===
*Heavy Slam
===Item===
*Reveal Glass
==Trivia==
*Ash finally meets and confronts Giovanni after more than 14 years and 15 seasons.
*This is the first time a character threatens to kill another. In this case, Giovanni threatens to crush Ash and Pikachu if Meloetta disobeys him.
*Team Rocket's "Operation Tempest" is named after one of the series of uprisings conducted during World War II against occupying German forces by the Polish Home Army (Armia Krajowa, abbreviated AK), the dominant force in the Polish Resistance.
*Who's that Pokémon?: Golurk (US).
==Gallery==
==References==
pl:BW096
Category:Episodes focusing on Team Rocket
Category:Episodes featuring Champions
Category:Episodes featuring Mythical Pokémon