Fantastic 5
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To the Future of the World
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It is in the late salad days of Ash Ketchum, just when he was about to start his adult life…
Today, Ash, who has practically grown up to be a strong and well-fit 23-year-old Pokémon master trainer, along with Pr. Oak (still looks the same), Max (he's turned 18 and is very handsome at his age), Tracey (quite excellent in his age), and Brock (who hasn't changed much) is heading for the Pokémon Research Institute in Viridian City.
In front of a tall building in Viridian City, at the sight of a steel statue of Pr. Samuel Oak in the process of being built, Ash's old friend Brock, who hasn't changed much, said, "Typical of those guys at the Pokémon Research Institute building a 30-foot statue of Pr. Oak." Pr. Oak shrugs, "Most likely a way to display my reputation and to build inadequacy into smaller time researchers who don't make much." Brock shrugs, "Good thing that last part ain't working."
Ash asks, "What are we doing here again, Professor?" Max reminds him, "We're here to ask an old friend of Pr. Oak's for a few things." Brock asks, "A few? A space station is a little much for a few. I've heard that most of her employees' are fast food and strip-mall Pokémon research and science." Pr. Oak shrugs, "Oh come on; people like Pr. Maple aren't that bad, they're just a little larger than life. Besides we've been great friends since school, so I've done stuff like this a lot in my life." Tracey nods, "Yeah, I've seen Pr. Benjamina Maple; she's okay with everybody."
Half an hour later, in her main office room…
Pr. Oak explains his latest theory and a scientific proposal to her, "My theory suggests that exposure to highly concentrated energy from storms of cosmic rays borne on solar winds might have triggered the evolution of early planetary life and called forth a species that soon became Pokémon that inhabited this world. In just 8 weeks from now, the same elemental profile will pass our planet's orbit. A study in space could enhance our knowledge of the genomes of both humans and Pokémon, give humans a chance to——"
Pr. Maple (who looks like a aged version of Ash's mother) interrupted him, "I get it, Sam; I get it. I presume that you also would like to use a space station that can be safe for your research." Pr. Oak nods to her, "Yes, that's what I was about to ask you for." Pr. Maple smiles, "Don't worry, I've got one out there in the coordinates on this piece of paper right here." She handed him a space map right where the station was. She explains, "The storm could be deadly but the shields on my station are designed to protect any occupants inside. As a failsafe there are interior shields for several and escape pods."
Ash asks, "What would this have to do with me again?" Pr. Oak said, "I'd thought you'd like to see what it would be like on a real space station in space; just think of this as a short break, like paid vacation." Max became excited "I'm so in it!" Pr. Maple asks, "Why not invite other Pokémon trainers as well; I've got money to spare." Brock sighs, "So you could possibly help us with our personal expenses by working with them up there?" Pr. Maple tries to cheer Brock up, "Come on, a few days in space. It'll be great. What's the worst that could happen?"
Ash looked at his first Pokémon, Pikachu, who just shrugged that it seemed a little okay, he sighs, "I guess I deserve a break." Pr. Maple smiles and walks off with Pr. Oak.
Brock pulled Ash to a corner and whispered, "Ash, somehow I think she knows about Team Rocket. I figure that she or some other people working for her once worked with them in the absence between her and Pr. Oak's friendship." Ash nods, "I know, until she proved useless to them. Like all other ex-employees from some criminal organizations we know. Somehow I'm getting a feeling that I can't trust some of her employees." Tracey attempts to calm Ash down a bit, "Ash! We've got what we needed." Brock says to Tracey, "I'm more worried about what some of the employees want. They could be undercover spies for all I know."
Ash and Brock's instincts are right, even though they didn't spot them; working as a janitorial staff, Jessie, James, and Meowth overheard everything. Jessie asks James, "James, are you thinking what I am thinking?" James replies, "No, what were you thinking?" Jessie told him, "The twerps are helping a bunch of Pokémon researchers and scientists and other Pokémon trainers to bring lots of laboratory samples to space to help find out if that cosmic storm cloud could increase our knowledge of planetary life. If they're successful, they could make millions of dollars in cold-hard cash. So what if we help out them up in space for now and then later take away not only that much earnings from them, but their Pokémon, their research, and those possibly successfully enhanced samples and give them to the boss?" James smiles, "You've must read my mind, Jessie!" then he got confused, "Or did I read yours?" Jessie groans, "Gee, that's a hard one." Meowth said, "Well, a promotion's a promotion, let's get to it anyway!"
Nearby the dynamic trio from Team Rocket, a familiar blonde-haired woman spoke in a walkie-talkie; "Giovanni, Pr. Maple and Pr. Oak are going to do research in space, would you like to send some spies into their spacecraft to get the research before they even return?" she listened into it a bit, "You're going on board too? Okay."
As soon as they reached outside, Ash asks, "I wonder who else would join us on this little space trip." Tracey says, "We could expect Misty, of course." Ash sighs, "I'm not sure if I'm ready to face her yet." Brock asks, "What's wrong with that, Ash?" Max looked into his Poké-Navigator for information on their mission into space and says, "According to this, my sister May is also going to be on this mission, as well with Gary piloting the ship we're going to be riding on."
Brock froze then he declared, "I can't do it! I cannot do it!" Ash asks, "What do you mean, Brock?" Brock answers, "I can't take orders from that underwear model / Pokémon researcher trainee / former rival of yours, Ash."
He continued, "That little punk got kicked out of training for sneaking four Victoria's Secret wannabes into his grandfather's Pokémon sanctuary." Ash gulps, "May snuck up on me in the forest three years ago like that because of her youthfully high spirit." Brock exclaimed, "They disturbed the Pokémon in that area! One of Pr. Oak's Pokémon sanctuaries!"
Max asks, "How many times was it when you were asked to do with Ash that you said you definitely and absolutely will refuse to do because you could not do them?" Brock answered, "50 times." Ash wonders a bit, "Was really that much?" Brock nods, "I've kept perfect track." Max asks, "What if I said there could be plenty of single girls on board?" That got Brock to saying, "I guess… as long as I don't take orders from Gary." Ash thinks a bit, "I think I remember having it at 49." Brock growls, "Well that just made 50."
Ash sighs a bit, "This is going to be one heck of an adventure."