Amethio meets with the younger members of Rising Volt Tacklers at the Brave Olivine to discuss their upcoming rescue mission. Having been kept up to date of the situation by Hamber, Zirc, and Onia, Amethio reveals the Six Heroes are presently being kept in the Explorers HQ, and with Spinel being at Exceed, now would be the best time to strike. One thing that Liko noticed during their battle against the Six Heroes was that they hadn't attacked each other while under the influence of the Super Strong Spheres, meaning they still recognize each other as allies. However, that recognition could be lost if they are exposed to the Strong Spheres again, making this mission even more dire. Amethio begins to explain the layout of the Explorers HQ to the determined Rising Volt Tacklers, with Liko noting Charcadet's own determination. While Murdock navigates the Brave Olivine to its next destination, the younger members all spend their free time separately. Roy and Skeledirge are asleep; Quaxwell and Tinkaton are also sleeping as Dot finalizes the plan; Liko assists Charcadet with the Auspicious Armor given by Diana as Meowscarada and Pagogo watch. Meanwhile, Ult invites Amethio and Ceruledge inside the observation deck, but the latter Trainer refuses as he reminisces the last time he boarded the airship and remarks the view that the Rising Volt Tacklers freely see from there instead. Unaware of the incident Amethio referenced in his musings, Ult tells him he’s willing to trust him, relying on the others' words, and Amethio accepts with a small smile.
Once they arrive at the Explorers HQ, the mission starts with Amethio, Zirc, Onia, Roy, and Ult acting as decoys to draw the attention of the Explorers keeping watch while Liko and Dot head to the cargo area and hack their way in. Unfortunately, they are caught by Indi and Rubina, who bring out their Salamence. Both Pokémon use Flamethrower on Meowscarada and Quaxwell, but Charcadet exits from its Poké Ball to take the hit, triggering its Flash Fire Ability. The two Explorers then use their Strong Spheres on Salamence, prompting Dot to step in when she realizes Charcadet can't handle both opponents at once. However, Amethio arrives just in time. Having completed his part of the mission, he steps in to battle in her place, allowing her to focus on hacking while making Charcadet eager to battle alongside Ceruledge.
Rubina commands Salamence to attack their opponents, forcing them to dodge as Indi waits for an opening. When Charcadet gets knocked against a wall, Ceruledge uses Shadow Claw repeatedly, but Salamence's rampage is not stopping. Indi's Salamence uses Flamethrower, with Charcadet protecting Ceruledge by taking it. Powered-up, the Fire Child Pokémon unleashes a rapid barrage against the Dragon Pokémon, but it's ineffective. Meanwhile, Ceruledge holds its ground with the other Salamence until it lands an attack that activates the Fire Blades Pokémon's Hidden Ability, Weak Armor. Having waited for Rubina's Salamence to be confused as a result of Outrage, Amethio attempts to have Ceruledge retaliate, but Indi's Salamence intercepts it with Dragon Claw, so Charcadet uses Take Down instead, reducing its recoil with its armor. Both Explorers become annoyed with the flow of battle and call for Salamence to power up via Dragon Dance. Although they are nearing their limits, Charcadet and Ceruledge combine their attacks together to counter the two Salamence before Liko has the Fire Child Pokémon use Fire Spin to protect them. However, Indi and Rubina send Salamence into the vortex of flames since there is nowhere to run in there, which Liko notes also applies to Salamence as she and Amethio call for their partners to attack together again. Unseen by the Trainers outside, Charcadet's armor begins to glow in a blue light. The combined Psycho Cut and Ember hits both Salamence and temporarily forces everyone outside to shield themselves as the vortex intensifies briefly. When the vortex subsides, not only are both Salamence severely weakened, but Ceruledge is standing alongside a newly evolved Armarouge. Even though the outcome is clear, the Explorers refuse to admit defeat, so Liko has Armarouge use Clear Smog to remove the two Salamence's increased stats while Ceruledge attacks with Phantom Force. The Fire Blades Pokémon attacks with Bitter Blade next, hitting Armarouge when Indi's Salamence dodges it and triggers Flash Fire once more. With Ceruledge's support, Liko commands Armarouge to use its strongest Ember, which transforms into a new move, Armor Cannon, that defeats both Salamence and the Explorers retreat.
Liko recalls Armarouge and thanks Amethio and Ceruledge for allowing the Fire Warrior Pokémon to reach its full potential. Amethio, though, says it was all Liko's hard work in raising it before recalling Ceruledge. Dot congratulates Liko on the Evolution before revealing she managed to unlock the door. Roy and Ult then rejoin the trio, albeit with Lucario, Sableye, and Captain Pikachu down from their battle earlier. Amethio tasks Zirc and Onia with keeping watch of the building in the event things turn south before leading the group to the place where the Six Heroes are held. Upon arrival, each of them rush to a box containing one of the Six Heroes, not noticing some walls being erected until its too late. Now separated, they also find themselves face to face with an Explorers member, with Spinel watching them from his throne.
