Ash, Dawn, Brock and Riley must stop Team Galactic before the Steel-type Pokemon suffer even more...and the whole island is destroyed.
- All According to Plan: Team Galactic was able to scan 60% of the mountain, and have significantly narrowed down the location of Spear Pillar. When Mars apologizes for the destruction of the machine, Cyrus notes that the mission was not a total failure.
- Badass Boast: Mars make it clear she is not kidding about the bombs." I'm not bluffing. We never bluff! We don't need your world, so we are simply going to destroy it!"
- Barrier Warrior: Riley is revealed to be an Aura Guardian, and so can create energy shields. Together with Lucario, he even managed to contain the explosion which would have destroyed the island.
- Colony Drop: At the end it is revealed that Iron Island is a giant meteor that crashed on Earth a long time ago, and is made from the same material as the Veilstone City's meteors.
- Darker and Edgier: Team Galactic are straight up terrorists in this episode, trying to kill everyone on the island just to have a clean getaway. Please note that, unlike the game, there is a whole city on the island.
- For the Evulz: Team Galactic's motive in wanting to blow up Iron Island is simply to make a statement about their "new world" and that they aren't messing around.
- Kick the Dog: Not only does Mars set the bombs off, she also taunts Ash and the others that they won't be able to escape in time.
- Know When to Fold 'Em: When Team Galactic's machine is destroyed, Cyrus orders Mars and her men to withdraw from the island and blow it up.
- Pet the Dog: Jessie's first instinct after hearing about the bombs is to recall her Pokemon, hoping they will be safer inside their Pokeballs.
- Slasher Smile: Cyrus sports one when he orders Iron Island blown up.
- Took a Level in Badass: Carnivine learns Vine Whip just in time to aid their escape.
- Where's the Kaboom?: Mars can't understand why the island isn't exploding, despite her pressing the detonator and the sensors picking up the explosions. It's because Lucario and Riley are using Aura to contain them and hurl them into the sky.
- Would Hurt a Child: No one in the Team Galactic organization is against killing a bunch of kids together with all the adults on Iron Island.
