Pokemon : Rewind

"Is this the GS Ball?" Professor Oak asked, turning the golden-topped, silver-bottomed Poké Ball over in his hands.

"Yes, Professor," Ash replied, handing it over carefully. "It's the one I retrieved from Professor Ivy."

Tracey stood beside Ash, fidgeting slightly. He looked like he was holding back a question, his excitement almost palpable.

Ash noticed and gave him a gentle nudge. "Professor Oak, Tracey has something he'd like to share with you. He's an observer and has been working on reports about Pokémon."

Professor Oak's interest was piqued, and he turned his kind gaze to Tracey. "An observer, you say? I'd be delighted to see your work, Tracey."

Tracey's eyes lit up. "Really? Thank you, Professor! Please, take a look." He hurriedly pulled out a set of notebooks from his bag, each packed with notes, sketches, and observations.

Professor Oak opened the first notebook, flipping through the pages with practiced ease. The early entries were rough, the work of someone still honing their craft. 

But as he progressed through the notebooks, he noticed a marked improvement. Tracey's later observations, particularly those focused on the Legendary Birds of the Orange Islands, were precise and insightful.

"These are excellent!" Professor Oak exclaimed, his voice full of genuine admiration. 

"You've done remarkable work, especially with the details about Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. This is invaluable research."

Tracey's face flushed with pride. "Thank you, Professor! That means so much coming from you."

Professor Oak gave a nod of approval. "You have real talent, Tracey. With dedication, you could make significant contributions to the field of Pokémon research."

The praise left Tracey beaming, while Ash and Misty smiled at their friend's moment of triumph.

---

Professor Oak returned his attention to the GS Ball. Holding it up to the light, he examined it with a magnifying lens. "This is no ordinary Poké Ball... The craftsmanship is exquisite, but its purpose remains a mystery."

Ash nodded. "Even Professor Ivy couldn't figure out how to open it."

"I can see why," Professor Oak murmured, placing the GS Ball on his research desk. "I'll do what I can to uncover its secrets, but Poké Balls aren't my specialty. This may take some time."

As if reminded of something, Professor Oak looked up. "Oh, before I get too absorbed, let me show you something new!"

He led the group to a side room, unveiling a Pokéblock-making machine.

"This beauty just arrived," Professor Oak announced proudly. "It's designed to create specialized Pokéblocks tailored for different Pokémon, including those as large as Gyarados or Snorlax."

The group stared in amazement.

"You managed to get one of these?" Ash asked, his voice full of awe. "I thought they weren't available for sale."

Professor Oak chuckled. "They're not. But I have connections, you know. Devon Corporation owed me a favor, so I pulled a few strings."

"That's incredible, Professor!" Tracey said, thoroughly impressed.

The professor demonstrated the machine's capabilities, producing a tiny Pokéblock barely 2 cm in size.

"Despite its size, this Pokéblock is packed with nutrients," Professor Oak explained, handing it to Ash. "It's perfect for sustaining Pokémon with high energy demands, like Snorlax."

Ash marveled at the compact cube. "The power of science really is amazing."

The others nodded in agreement, and they spent the next hour experimenting with the machine, creating customized treats for their Pokémon.

---

Once Ash and his friends returned to the backyard to relax, Professor Oak focused on the GS Ball.

He conducted various tests, starting with material analysis. "This thing is virtually indestructible…" he muttered, astonished.

Even extreme heat, enough to melt steel, had no effect on the GS Ball. Attempts to scan its interior were met with static interference, and even high-intensity impact tests left it completely unscathed.

"What material is this made of?" he wondered aloud, his curiosity deepening.

By the time Ash and the others returned, Professor Oak was sitting at his desk, still baffled. "This is beyond anything I've seen," he admitted, holding up the GS Ball.

"Did you find anything?" Ash asked hopefully.

Professor Oak shook his head. "I'm afraid not. It's impervious to everything I've tried. The technology behind this is centuries ahead of what we currently understand."

Ash frowned, disappointed. "So… what do we do next?"

Professor Oak sighed. "There's only one person I know who might have the expertise to unlock this mystery. His name is Kurt, a master Poké Ball craftsman in Azalea Town, Johto."

"Kurt?" Tracey's face lit up. "The one who developed specialty Poké Balls like the Lure Ball and the Fast Ball?"

Professor Oak nodded. "That's right. He's a genius when it comes to understanding Poké Ball mechanics. If anyone can make sense of the GS Ball, it's him."

Ash nodded, his resolve firming. "We'll deliver it to him, Professor. We're heading to Johto next anyway."

Professor Oak handed the GS Ball back to Ash with care. "Good. Please give this to Kurt and let him know it's from me. Hopefully, he can uncover its secrets."

---

The group left Professor Oak's lab with a renewed sense of purpose. As they prepared for their journey to Johto, the GS Ball felt heavier in Ash's hands, not from its weight but from the mystery it represented.

Whatever secrets it held, they were determined to find the answers.

The road ahead was uncertain, but Ash and his friends were ready to face whatever challenges awaited them.

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