While getting a check-up from Mollie, Friede is stunned to hear about the disbandment of the Rising Volt Tacklers, but becomes relieved to hear Roy being the one to bring everyone back together and how they have been investigating the effects of Laquium. When the younger members ask about his time in space, Friede agrees to explain over tea.
After falling from the Brave Olivine, Friede and Charizard were swept back to Laqua. From the air, Friede noticed the crater on Mount Pericarp resembled a meteor impact and investigated after landing. During his investigation, he determined that meteors could be the key to answering the mysteries of Laquium and discovering it had not been fully purified. He then sought the help of someone from Devon Corporation, who confirmed his suspicions, prompting Friede to visit the Mossdeep Space Center in order to travel to space. There, the director allowed him to undergo training before visiting space. During this time, Friede met a Starmie that wished to go to space, nicknaming it Instructor Starmie after it aided him in his studies. Friede later caught Instructor Starmie and even Mega Evolved the Mysterious Pokémon into Mega Starmie. After leaving a message to his team, Friede successfully traveled to space.
Friede reveals he brought back a harmless space sample matching the meteor that struck Mount Pericarp. In his early days in space, Friede found material similar to Laqua’s soil and discovered that a strong external impact would trigger a reaction. He concluded that in the past, a meteor with these components impacted Mount Pericarp and underwent a reaction that resulted in the production of Laquium, echoing Lucius's words from before. Murdock worries that Laquium could be easily created whenever such a meteor lands, but Friede reassures him that it would require an enormous meteor and an astronomical chance of success. He finishes his explanation by saying while Laquium had created the paradise Laqua, it also threatened the planet’s ecosystem, drawing the attention of the White Zygarde and Black Rayquaza. Dot presents data obtained from Exceed, revealing the Explorers’ plan to mass-produce Strong Spheres using Laquium, whose core—the original meteor—still lies beneath Laqua. Liko continues by citing Briar's theory that Pagogo requires the power of eighteen Tera types of Pokémon on the same wavelength as the Six Heroes to purify the Laquium. The team resolves to rescue the Six Heroes, gather strong Pokémon, and stop the Strong Spheres’ launch. Ult claims Roy’s role is finished now that Friede has returned, which he gets promptly scolded for. However, Roy agrees with him and hands back the role of leader to Friede, but the latter insists Roy is the founder of the current Rising Volt Tacklers because he reforms the team since his absence. Seeing Roy’s wavering resolve, Friede abruptly declares the team disbanded.
In an open field, Roy stands opposite of Friede, who requests the former show him the strength of his resolve during the upcoming battle if he wishes to avoid the disbandment of the team. At Captain Pikachu's call, the battle opens with both sides using Flamethrower. Roy switches plans and has Skeledirge attack with Flame Charge, but Charizard avoids it and counters with Air Slash, landing several hits. Skeledirge retaliates with Disarming Voice, which manages to land. Friede commands Charizard to use Dragon Claw while Roy has Skeledirge use Flame Charge when the Flame Pokémon closes in, only to miss when Charizard maneuvers at the last second. Thanks to his new bulky body, Skeledirge is unable to dodge Charizard's attack in time. Charizard comes up to Skeledirge and encourages him to keep on fighting, and the Singer Pokémon responds by getting up with a determined cry. Roy recognizes his partner's feelings and decides to battle without any more doubt holding him back. The two clash again in a Flamethrower stalemate, which Charizard breaks through with Dragon Claw, only to be thrown aside when the Singer Pokémon bites its tail. Skeledirge begins to sing and Roy joins in, both enjoying the battle immensely. At that moment, Skeledirge's fiery bird transforms into a microphone, allowing him to strike with Torch Song, knocking Charizard down after multiple hits. Roy commands Skeledirge to use Stomping Tantrum to finish off Charizard, but Friede pulls out his Tera Orb and Terastallizes his partner into a Dark-type. This changes the tide of the battle as Charizard uses a supereffective Tera Blast on Skeledirge, resulting in Roy following suit with his own Terastallization to even out the field. After evading Tera Blast, Skeledirge lands another Torch Song, then overpowers Charizard in a final Flamethrower clash, defeating it. Roy celebrates with Skeledirge as Friede acknowledges his resolve, while Liko realizes they have fulfilled Skeledirge’s dream since his days as a Fuecoco.
At sunset, Friede departs for the space center and Devon Corporation to analyze the data further. He entrusts the airship to Cap and gives Roy a briefcase for the Black Rayquaza. Promising to watch over the Rising Volt Tacklers, Roy parts from Friede as rivals. Friede Mega Evolves Charizard into Mega Charizard Y and leaves, bidding the team a temporary farewell.
