Note: Chapter 2 of the Cosmic Chronicles series has been posted on the Cosmic Quest Official Website. This story takes place between episodes 71 and 72 of Cosmic Quest, and cannot be read anywhere else. Make sure to check it out.
Episode 72: Where No Pokémon Has Gone Before
Ash, Brock, and Brenda are walking up a hill. Brenda, with Kappaqueous behind her, runs ahead excitedly and shouts, "We're almost there! Home is just over this hill!"
Kappaqueous adds joyously, "Kappa-appa-aqueous!" Together they sprint to the top of the hill, and then stop to take in the view.
Ash and Brock make it up the rest of the way and stop next to them. They are treated to a view of Launch Town in the valley below them. Ash asks, "How does it feel to see your home again Brenda?"
"It's great! You know, it's actually kind of funny. Back before I left on my journey, all I could ever think about was leaving that tiny town and going to see the world, but now that I've done that, all I can think about is getting back home. Is that weird?"
Ash shakes his head. "No way, I know exactly what you're saying. I feel the same way whenever I'm about to go home for the first time in a while. Being on a journey is great, but there's no better part of the journey than when you get to go back home."
Brenda nods in understanding. She then dashes down the hill, shouting, "Last one there's a rotten Exeggcute!"
Ash and Pikachu ran after her, Ash accusing, "Hey, no fair!"
Brock chases after them too shouting, "Technically, an Exeggcute can't go rotten, but I definitely don't want to be one!"
What a joyous occasion this is for Brenda indeed. After such a long travel, not only does she get a trip home, but it's also time for her favorite annual event, Professor Pine's Astro Camp. The next few days will be fun and excitement-packed for sure!
The group makes it into town. Brenda twirls around, taking in all the familiar sights at once, and then takes a deep breath in, savoring the familiar scents.
A voice calls out, "Hey, you over there. I've never seen you two around here. You look like Pokémon trainers." The three of them turn to look towards the source of the voice. It's a boy a little older than Ash. He wears tan pants and a white t-shirt. Draped over his shoulders is a red coat. As his arms are not in the sleeves, it's being used more as a cape than a coat. His hair has several strips that wrap around each other in various ways
Ash grins and asks, "Who's asking?"
The boy grins back. "The name's Braydon, and I make it my business test the strength of any trainers who come through here."
Ash pulls out a Pokéball. "My name's Ash, and I always accept a challenge."
Braydon pulls out a Pokéball too, and the two of them stare at each other in challenge.
Brock leans towards Brenda and asks, "Do you know this guy?"
"Kind of. He's from Launch Town too, but he left on a Pokémon journey over a year ago. He's known for being pretty competitive."
Brock nods. "It certainly shows."
Before either one can throw their Pokéball, Professor Pine steps in between the two them and declares, "Now, now, let's not get to ahead of ourselves. There will be chances for battles during Astro Camp." He's followed by a dog-like Pokémon with orange fur so bulky that almost appears to be some sort of space suit without a helmet. Certain patterns on its body, as well as the fact that its head and neck are colored light gray instead of orange add to this illusion.
The Pokémon barks, "Mutt!"
Braydon apologizes, "Sorry prof, I was just trying to have some fun."
"There's no need to worry about it Braydon, but I don't want you being late for the welcome ceremony, which is beginning very soon."
Braydon pulls out a Pokéssistant to check the time. "Wow, it is. I must have gotten distracted." He looks to Ash and states, "Don't think you're out of this one though, we're going to have that battle, one way or another."
Ash grins. "I'm looking forward to it." Once he's gone, Ash turns to look Professor Pine's Pokémon and pulls out his Pokédex.
"Muttnik, the Cosmonaut Pokémon and a Normal-Type. This Pokémon's extremely thick fur coat acts as an insulator and pressure vessel. Along with its ability extend an air-tight helmet-like extension around its head, this makes it the perfect Pokémon for use in space missions. Does not evolve."
Once he's done, Pine turns to them and greets, "Brenda, Ash, Brock, I'm so glad you could all make it. You're just in time, too. This is actually going to be one of my largest Astro Camps yet."
Brenda cheers, "Goodie! I can't wait."
Brock chuckles, "It's all she's been talking about for the past three days."
Ash adds, "She sure does make it sound fun, though."
Pine nods. "I promise you that it is." He beckons for them to follow him. "Now come, I'll lead you to the location that we're having our kick-off."
After the walk over, the scene shifts over to reveal Team Rocket has been watching from behind a nearby house. Jessie and Meowth instantly leap back and huddle up. Meowth asks, "Did you hear that? The twerps are joining some sort of space-themed summer camp. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Jessie responds, "That they'll be distracted by the camp, making this the perfect opportunity to steal their Pokémon."
Meowth nods. "Exactly. What do you think, James?"
They both realize for the first time that James is still standing where they left him. Jessie questions, "Hello? James? Earth to James?"
James suddenly responds with a childlike eagerness, "James, reporting in, Earth."
This baffles Jessie and Meowth. Meowth asks, "What kind of response was that?"
James apologizes, "Sorry, I was just so caught up in youthful memories of my time at space camp as a wee lad."
Jessie questions, "You went to space camp?"
James is taken aback. "Of course I went to space camp! What better way is there to spend one's summer vacations then getting to pretend to be an astronaut? In fact, it was one of my favorite weeks of the year, as it meant I got to get away from all the stressful private tutors and enforced etiquette. Mommy and Daddy used to send me off to one of the best space camps in the world, here in the Tenno Region. In fact, I think it was those fond memories that attracted me to an organization known as Team Rocket." He just now realizes the look of disconnect on Jessie and Meowth's faces. "What? Don't tell me you two didn't go to space camp when you were children."
Jessie snaps back, "Sorry, but not all of us were spoiled rich kids. Some of our parents had to save their money to spend on more important things than space camp."
Meowth adds, "Yeah, and something tells me they wouldn't be that welcoming to an alley Meowth either."
James scratches the back of his head. "Oh…yeah…sorry about that." Moments later, with a renewed sense of passion, he declares, "But now, it is finally time for me to return to space camp, for I will enroll in Professor Pine's Astro Camp!"
Jessie is baffled. "Have you forgotten? We're going to use this as a chance to steal the twerps' Pokémon."
James asserts, "Absolutely not! I will have no disreputable behavior for the duration of this camp! You behave as camp policy dictates!"
Meowth objects, "But James-"
"No buts! Space camp is a sacred ritual practiced by children with dreams of being an astronaut! You will not ruin those dreams! If you do one thing to ruin a single child's experience, you'll answer to me!"
Jessie scoffs at the notion and whispers in Meowth's ear, "Oh no, I'm so afraid."
James shouts with fiery rage, "I heard that!"
This startles Jessie enough into apologizing, "Sorry, I didn't mean it! We'll be on our best behavior, we promise."
Meowth adds, "Yeah, we promise!"
James nods with content. "Very good. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go sign up."
As he walks away, Meowth and Jessie both give each other mischievous grins. Behind their backs they're crossing their fingers.
Ash, Brock, and Brenda have joined up with a large group of other people, ranging in age from very young, to about Brock's age. Professor Pine stands atop a raised platform in front of them all with Muttnik sitting loyally at his side. He announces, "Welcome one and all to Professor Pine's Seventh Annual Astro Camp. It makes me so happy to see how many youthful faces we have here today interested in learning about science, space, and Pokémon. This year's events are sure to get you excited. There's so many great things planned."
While he's speaking, Ash looks around and takes note of Braydon, who's standing a couple of people away. Braydon notices Ash too, and the two of them exchange acknowledgement.
Pine continues, "As many of you already know, it is a long standing tradition that at the beginning of each session of Astro Camp, that each and every participant randomly gets assigned to work with a single Pokémon from outer space for the duration of this event. Pokémon from outer space behave in ways entirely different from terrestrial Pokémon, and yet, once you get to know them, they're not actually that alien at all. Once you're assigned a Pokémon, it will be your job to care for, study, and, most importantly, bond with it. As the final event of our camp, we will be having battle sessions where you will fight side-by-side with the Pokémon you were assigned. Make sure you're prepared." He looks to the Pokémon at his side. "Muttnik, if you please."
Muttnik jumps off stage and then climbs back up dragging a bag full of Pokéballs. "Mutt!"
"Thank you, Muttnik." He looks back to the audience. "Alright, everyone come on up one at a time and grab a Pokéball. Don't let it out of its Pokéball until I say, though."
Braydon gets up to Pine first and declares, "Without him here, there's no way I'm losing the final battle this year. I'm going to win it all." He picks a Pokéball out of the bag.
Who's that Pokémon!?
This Pokémon converts solar energy into nutrition. They are highly active in the warm daytime but suddenly stop moving as soon as the sun sets.
Everyone is spread out and holding a Pokéball, waiting with anticipation to see what's inside. Professor Pine declares, "Alright everyone, let out your Pokémon and make a new friend!"
Pokéballs everywhere begin to be tossed up into the air, and all sorts of different Pokémon come out. Braydon's Pokéball contained a Protostar. Braydon grins. "Alright Protostar, you and I are going all the way."
Protostar happily cheers, "Proto!"
James, now disguised in civilian clothing, releases a Cosmet. Seeing this leads James to nod with satisfaction. "You and I will form a team greater than even the great Rocket agent Frostbite and his Cosmet could."
Cosmet doesn't seem to know what this means, but it happily responds, "Cosmet!"
From Brenda's Pokéball comes a Minior. Brenda grins cheerfully. "Wow, it's so cute!"
The Minior happily dances in circles around Brenda. "Minior!"
From Brock's Pokéball comes a Staryu. He smiles and greets, "Hello Staryu, we're going to have a lot of fun, I just know it."
Staryu responds by flashing its red core.
Finally, it's Ash's turn. "Let's see what I've got. Come on out!" Out of the Pokéball comes an Elgyem. Ash smiles at it and greets, "Hi there! How's it going?"
Pikachu adds, "Pika pi!"
Elgyem takes a moment to realize what's going on, and then cries out in panic, "Elgyem, elgyem, elgyem!" It suddenly teleports away into a blue haze and then reappears hiding behind a tree.
Ash tilts his head. "What's wrong, Elgyem?" He begins to approach it, but the Elgyem quickly cowers away. "Well that's strange."
Brock suggests, "It looks like that Elgyem is a shy one. Not too surprising either, considering they don't normally live on Earth."
Ash asks, "Is that it, Elgyem? Are you shy?"
Elgyem doesn't answer.
Ash thinks for a moment. "Hmm…" Then an idea strikes him. "I've got it." He pulls out another Pokéball, and from its sends out Dashilisk. "Hey Elgyem, I've got someone here I want you to meet."
Dashilisk does its happy dance, jumping quickly from one foot to another, while waving its arms around in a goofy manner. "Dashi dashi dashilisk!"
Elgyem peeks it head out from behind the tree to see Dashilisk dancing around. After a moment of trying to figure out what it's seeing, its face then lights up. It steps out from behind the tree and claps. "Elgyem elgyem!"
Ash grins. "Everyone loves Dashilisk's goofy personality. I knew you'd like him, Elgyem." Ash tries to approach Elgyem, but the moment Elgyem notices him, it uses Teleport again and reappears behind the tree. Ash sighs. "Alright, I guess we'll just have to take this slowly."
Professor Pine announces, "Alright everyone, I'm glad to see it's that you're already beginning to get to know your new partners. It will be your goal over the course of this camp to bond with them and learn everything you can. Pokémon from space are marvelous creatures, so you're in for a special treat. But first, I have another special treat for you all. It's time for our first activity. Everyone please follow me."
It's Sunflora!
Professor Pine leads all of his campers to an open field behind the town. Sitting there out in the open is a space shuttle. The entire group is awed by it. James says overeagerly, "Oh my goodness, that's the Space Shuttle Jirachi! It was commissioned 15 years ago for mission STS-385, and then retired five years ago! During that time, it flew nearly a hundred missions into Earth orbit and back! This is amazing!"
Ash, who's standing next to James, compliments, "Wow, you really know your stuff."
James grins. "Well, I don't like to brag, but I'm you could call me a rocket expert."
Jessie and Meowth are hiding behind some bushes nearby, watching James. Meowth laughs, "He's such a nerd." They both laugh together at the remark.
Pine declares, "In years past we have always had a space shuttle simulator experience, but I am pleased to announce that the folks at the Kanaveral Space Museum have kindly lent me this real-life decommissioned space shuttle that has been converted into a state-of-the-art simulator. Everyone will form into groups of five and take turns using the simulator to learn what it feels like to fly into outer space, just like the astronauts do. Now, everyone form into groups and line up."
At the very front of the line is the group composed of Ash, Brock, Brenda, Braydon, and James. All of them have their space Pokémon partners next to them. Brenda exclaims happily, "I can't wait! How often is it that you get to go aboard a real space ship?"
Ash jumps up excitedly and cheers, "I know! This is awesome!" The sudden movement startles Elgyem and causes it to teleport away to behind a nearby rock.
While Ash tries to get it to come back, James says eagerly, "I've been associated with rockets for a long time, even been on one or two, but I've never gotten the chance to be on an actual space shuttle before."
Pine walks up to them and says, "Alright, Ash, Brock, Brenda, Braydon, and Jim, you're all cleared to board. Go ahead and get in there." He looks to Ash slowly peeking around the rock to try to talk with Elgyem. He grins. "I see that you got Elgyem as your partner."
Ash nods. "Yeah, what's up with this Pokémon, anyways?"
"This Elgyem was born in space, but later came down to Earth. I don't think it ever truly got used to living here. That's always lead it to be overly shy and afraid."
Ash encourages, "Come on Elgyem, you don't have to be afraid of me, I want to be your buddy."
Pine adds, "Hey Elgyem, that there is a space ship, a vehicle meant to travel to your home."
Elgyem suddenly looks to the shuttle with excitement. It teleports itself to the boarding ramp.
Pine smiles. "You'd better not let it get out of your sight."
Ash nods. "Good idea, thanks Professor." He, along with everyone else, get aboard the shuttle.
The group of five, followed by their partner Pokémon, and also Pine's Muttnik, all file into the cockpit. James, sounding like a child on Christmas morning, gushes, "This is amazing!" He dashes from spot to spot, pointing out various details. "This is the communication array! This is the stabilization controls! This panel controls the retro rockets! This one opens the primary hatches! This one initiates launch!"
Braydon whispers to the others, "Do any of you think he might be a little too excited?"
Ash shrugs. "Let him have his fun." He then looks down to Elgyem. "What do you think, Elgyem? Pretty cool in here, isn't it?"
Realizing that Ash has turned his attention to it causes it to panic and teleport to behind one of the chairs. Ash and Pikachu sigh.
The front windows suddenly light up, turning into a screen. Professor Pine is projected onto that screen. He says, "Welcome, astronauts. Please take a seat and strap in, lift-off is in t-minus one minute." Everyone rushes to their seats and buckle up. Once everyone's ready, Pine begins a countdown, "T-minus five…four…three…two…one…liftoff!" The entire cockpit begins to rumble violently. A loud explosion of noise can also be heard. "We have liftoff!" His face disappears from the screen, being replaced by a simulated image of the shuttle hurtling upwards into the sky.
James looks around with utter joy. "This is so real! I would actually think I were aboard a space shuttle taking off!"
Brenda asks, "How long does this part take?"
James eagerly answers, "It takes approximately eight and a half minutes from launch until a stable orbit is reached. We're in for an exciting eight minutes!"
Brenda groans. "I don't know if my stomach can take eight minutes of this…"
Eight minutes later, the rumbling stops, and is replaced by complete silence and stillness. Brenda looks incredibly queasy. The view-screen shows a vast vista of stars. The voice of Professor Pine declares, "Congratulations Space Shuttle Jirachi, you have reached Earth orbit."
Brock looks out at the image on the screen and comments, "Wow, I know it's just a simulation, but the view is amazing."
James nods in agreement. "Seeing the stars from Earth is one thing, but seeing them from space is a whole other."
Ash looks down to the still-hiding Elgyem and points to the screen. "Look Elgyem, it's like we're in outer space."
Elgyem peeks up to see. Seeing this seems to improve its mood. It claps like a happy child. "Elgyem elgyem!" In a moment of sheer excitement, it holds up its arms, and its finger-lights begin to blink rapidly. The entire cockpit is engulfed in blue haze. A moment later, everything that's unsecured in the cockpit begins to lift up and float away.
James says with shock and joy, "No way! They have a zero gravity simulator!? This is amazing!"
Braydon looks skeptical. "I don't think there's such a thing as a zero-g simulator this realistic." He turns to Brock. "Try switching off the screen."
Brock does so, but nothing seems to happen. He says, "I think the switch is broken."
Braydon shakes his head. "No, it's not broken. We're seeing what's actually out of the window."
James gulps nervously. "Kanaveral…we have a problem…"
Professor Pine, along with the rest of the campers, are staring at the spot where the shuttle once stood, all of them dumbfounded. Pine quickly turns to his control station and begins frantically pressing buttons and pulling switches. He speaks into a microphone, "Hello? Space Shuttle Jirachi, do you read me?" The response is nothing but static.
Brenda asks, "How could this be possible?"
Ash answers, "I think it was Elgyem. I think it was so happy to see space, that it teleported the entire shuttle right up into actual Earth orbit."
Braydon looks to it and angrily scolds, "Why would you do that!? You have to put us back now!"
Elgyem begins to cry and teleports completely from sight, not even to a visible hiding spot like normal.
Ash looks to Braydon and shouts, "Hey, what did you do that for!? This isn't Elgyem's fault!"
Braydon shouts back, "Of course it's Elgyem's fault! It's the one that brought us up here, and it's our only chance of getting back down!"
"Yeah, and you just scared it away! Who knows where it is now!?"
Braydon cringes as he realizes the mistake he's made.
Brenda groans, "Oh great, we're trapped in space, and our only hope of getting back just teleported away."
Then some static sounds over the communications device. Garbled words say, "…Shuttle…do…read…"
James unstraps from his seat and floats over to the communications console. "I think I might just be able to increase our receiver's power." He does a little work at the console, and then the voice comes through clearer.
It's Professor Pine. "I repeat, Space Shuttle Jirachi, do you read me?"
Ash responds, "We hear you now, Professor."
"Ash! I'm so glad to hear your voice! What happened?"
Ash chuckles awkwardly. "You're never going to believe this. Elgyem teleported the entire shuttle right up into space."
Pine is speechless for a few moments. Finally, he says, "This isn't good."
Brenda asks, "What is it, Professor?"
"There's a reason that space shuttle was decommissioned. It was deemed to be unable to make another atmospheric reentry. You can't land that thing. You're going to have to convince Elgyem to teleport you back."
Everyone looks to each other nervously. Ash responds, "Yeah…about that…"
Braydon then explains, "It's my fault. I scared Elgyem away. We have no idea where it is now."
"That's not good. You have to find it, and fast. That ship may still be air-tight, but it's oxygen supplies were never replenished. You won't last that much longer up there." He pauses for a moment as everyone takes in the severity of their situation. Pine then asks, "Is Muttnik still with you?"
Muttnik barks, "Mutt mutt!" in response."
"Good. Muttnik is a natural-born astronaut. It should be helpful up there. It can even go outside the shuttle, should the need arise. I need you guys to stay in constant contact with me, alright? Report everything that happens. Pine out."
Brenda asks, "So what are we going to do now?"
Ash unbuckles from his seat, allowing himself to float out, and declares, "I'm going to go find Elgyem. If it's still on this ship, I'll find it."
Braydon unstraps. "I'll go with you."
James says, "I'll stay here and run all the diagnostics I can. Maybe I can figure out a way to land this thing, or at least prolong the time we can stay up here." He points to Brock and Brenda. "I'll need the help of you two twer-" He cuts himself off then corrects, "I'll need the help of you two with monitoring. This is not a one-man job."
Brock and Brenda both nod and affirm, "Alright."
Ash pushes himself towards the back of the cabin and floats towards the door. Braydon and Protostar follow behind. Muttnik also follows them, moving with graceful ease through the zero-gravity.
Ash, Braydon, and Muttnik search their way through the interior of the shuttle. Ash calls out, "Elgyem!"
Pikachu also calls, "Pika pi!"
Braydon shouts, "I'm sorry I shouted at you, Elgyem! Please come out!" He bumps into a wall after kicking off of another too hard. Once he reorients himself, he sighs. "This is hopeless. There's no reason to even believe that Elgyem is aboard this ship. If it could teleport us all up here, there's no reason it couldn't send itself back to Earth."
Ash, who's floating upside-down relative to Braydon, encourages, "You can't think that way. What ever happened to that fighting spirit you had before? You're the last person I ever pinned to give up."
Braydon sighs again. "Yeah, maybe before, but I've been through a lot this past year. I used to think I was invincible, I thought myself one of the greatest trainers to ever live in Tenno, but then he proved me wrong on so many occasions. He always beat me, every time we battled, right down to the Tenno League semi-finals. He's the greatest trainer in Tenno, not me. I'm a nobody."
Ash looks to Braydon with surprise. "You were in the Tenno League?"
Braydon nods. "'I lost in the Tenno League' would be the appropriate description. I don't even know what I'm trying to accomplish now. Guess that doesn't matter now though, seeing as we're doomed."
Ash spins himself around so he's oriented the same way as Braydon. "Come on Braydon, you can't talk like that. I've entered several Pokémon Leagues around the world, and I've never won any of them. But I just keep on trying. I never give up. Someday I'll be a Pokémon Master, and if that's going to happen, that means one thing is for sure."
Braydon looks up to him and questions, "What's that?"
"It means that it doesn't all end here. We'll find Elgyem, and we'll get back to Earth."
Inspired by Ash, Braydon nods. "You're right. I can't let a defeat get to me like that, I've got to keep on trying, whether it be with Elgyem, or beating him."
As if on cue, Muttnik barks to get their attention. "Mutt!"
Ash pushes off towards Muttnik and asks, "What is it boy, did you find something?"
Muttnik points its snout towards a porthole and barks again.
Ash looks outs the porthole and sees Elgyem sitting on the wing of the shuttle. "It's Elgyem!"
Braydon shouts, "Really!?" with disbelief. He floats over to see for himself. "It is! We have to get to it, but how?"
Ash notices a space suit hanging on the wall. "I've got an idea." He floats towards the suit and grabs it.
Braydon floats over too and asserts, "No, you've got to give that to me, I'll go out there and get Elgyem back."
Ash shakes his head. "No, Elgyem is my partner, and my responsibility. I have to be the one to do this. Now help me get on this suit."
Ash is all suited up. Pikachu looks to him with awe. He holds up a fist with determination. "Alright, let's do this. Jim, can you open the airlock?"
Over an intercom, James responds, "I should be able to."
Brock asks, "Are you sure you want to do this, Ash? This is extremely dangerous."
"It's our only chance to get back to Earth. I have to do this. Besides, I have Muttnik with me to help. I'll be fine."
Brenda says, "Be careful out there, Ash."
"I will be Brenda, don't worry."
James declares, "Alright, opening the inner door of the airlock." A door swings open. Ash and Muttnik enter. The door closes behind them. Some sort of clear, glass-like material extends out from the back of Muttnik's head and wraps all the way around, completing its space suit-like look. James then says, "Opening outer airlock door now." The door in front of Ash and Muttnik swings open, revealing them to the vacuum of space.
Muttnik leaps out, with Ash holding on to its back. Muttnik kicks its front leg forward and snags it onto a handle, and then pulls itself and Ash onto the surface of the shuttle.
Via communicator, James says, "Activating magnetic boots now." Ash's feet hit the shuttle and latch on.
Ash reports, "Alright, I'm good. Now to go get Elgyem." He begins to walk towards the wing where he and Braydon saw Elgyem.
As he approaches, he sees that Elgyem is sitting in a reclining position, looking out towards the stars. He says peacefully, "Hey, Elgyem. It's a pretty great view, isn't it?"
Elgyem looks to him with surprise and shock.
"Please don't run away Elgyem, I just want to talk to you." Being careful to take very slow movements, Ash sits down next to Elgyem. Elgyem looks at him with worry. "Hey, you don't have to worry Elgyem, I'm your friend. I don't want to hurt you. There's no need to be so shy. Look, Braydon, the guy who shouted at you, he feels really bad about that. He really is sorry."
Elgyem questions, "Elgyem?"
Ash nods. "He is. Actually, we're all sorry. We all got a little mad back there. We had no right, though. You just got so excited seeing your home again, that you couldn't help yourself. I know the feeling."
Elgyem questions again, "Elgyem?"
"I'm not just making this up. Actually, just earlier today I was telling my friend Brenda about that feeling you get when you see your home for the first time in ages. It's a great feeling. Actually, if I had the power to teleport home whenever I wanted to, I think I would too. Must be pretty great to be able to teleport wherever you want."
Elgyem happily agrees. "Elgyem."
"But we need your help now, Elgyem. You may be able to live up here in outer space, but my friends and I are humans, we can't without special equipment that we don't have right now. We're supposed to be on Earth. I know you don't like it there as much, but please Elgyem, would you teleport us back?"
Elgyem thinks about it for a moment and then nods. "Elgyem." It then prepares to use Teleport.
However, before it can, the entire rocket shudders. Ash demands, "What was that!?"
James answers regretfully, "That was the shuttle hitting the atmosphere. Unfortunately, it would seem that Elgyem didn't put us in a stable orbit. Whatever you're going to do, you'd better do it fast, things are going to start heating up really fast now."
Ash looks to Elgyem and encourages, "You have to do it now, Elgyem!"
Elgyem, however, is looking towards the nose of the shuttle, seeing it diving towards Earth, licks of flame already beginning to be created by the friction with the atmosphere. Elgyem is absolutely terrified. It uses Teleport on itself and reappears hiding behind the tail fin.
Ash runs towards it. "Elgyem! This isn't the time to hide! That's not going to do you any good! You have to concentrate! You have to use Teleport on the entire shuttle again!"
Elgyem shakes its head in fear. "Elgyem, elgyem!"
"You can do it, Elgyem! I believe in you! You're our only hope, Elgyem! You have to do it!"
Elgyem shuts is eyes tightly and then takes and attempts to center its focus. With newfound determination, it declares, "Elgyem!" and the entire shuttle becomes enveloped with a blue haze once more.
The next moment the shuttle is back on terra firma, right where it was before it left. It is now night.
Inside the shuttle, James leaps up and shouts, "Touchdown! We've landed!"
Brenda cheers, "Ash did it! We're saved!"
Still where Ash left him, Braydon looks out the porthole and nods. "Good job, Ash."
Back outside, Ash still stands atop the shuttle with Elgyem. An applause breaks out from Professor Pine and all the campers.
Ash pulls off the helmet of his suit, and then slides down the side of the shuttle, landing on the ground below. Elgyem teleports to his side.
Pine approaches Ash. "Ash, I'm so relieved. That was cutting it really close. Another ten seconds longer and the entire shuttle would have exploded."
Ash plays it off as nothing. "I knew Elgyem could do it. Isn't that right, Elgyem?"
Elgyem nods happily. "Elgyem."
Pine gives an impressed smile. "My, my, that's a lot more confidence than I've ever seen from this little one."
At this point, Brock, Brenda, James, Braydon, Pikachu, and the other Pokémon all emerge from the shuttle.
Seeing all of them makes Pine smile even more. He declares, "Alright everyone, it's getting late, and I suspect we've all had enough excitement for one day. Allow me to show you all to where you'll be sleeping. Hopefully tomorrow will be a more normal day."
Pikachu steps up from behind Elgyem and tries to give it a congratulatory pat on the back. The moment it makes contact, Elgyem suddenly shouts in fear, "Elgyem!" and teleports to the nearest hiding spot.
"Pik?"
Ash and everyone else laugh. Ash says, "I guess some things don't change."
That they don't. And now that Professor Pine's Astro Camp has begun with an actual trip into space, things are sure to continue to be exciting, so stay tuned!
To Be Continued…
