Summer Camp
Time moved on in Pallet town and soon summer came around along with it summer vacation and a very popular activity, Summer Camp. Goh was excited as he sat with his best friend Chloe, in the bus that headed towards Professor Oak's summer camp. Goh was looking out of the window chattering about the Pokemon that they would see at the camp. Chloe was just listening to her longest time friend amused by his excited chatter. Soon enough, the bus came to a stop at a very quaint little town with forest surrounding it. Their teachers rounded them up and did a head count before leading the twenty kids towards the camp which was a located a little further away from the town.
Goh noticed two kids talking to an older man, 'They can't be much older than me.'
Professor Oak saw the newcomers, "Good morning everyone!"
All the kids answered, "Good morning Professor!"
Professor Oak smiled, "Welcome to the Pokemon summer camp. Here you will be observing Pokemon and doing a lot of activities related to them. Now you kids see those tables over there? They hold cameras and poke feed for you to take pictures of the Pokemon and feed them."
The Professor lead them to the table as he continued to explain, "Now this young man here is Ash Ketchum. He is a volunteer and is in charge of the pokefeed. If you need help, you kids can ask him. And this here is my grandson Gary, who is also volunteering for today. He's in charge of the cameras, so if you need extra rolls or instructions on how to take pictures he's here to help you."
Goh was a bit surprised when he heard Ash was a boy, 'He looks so pretty though with the ponytail.', he touched the clip on his hair and couldn't help but feel happy.
Goh brightened up, "I can't wait to see all the Pokemon here."
Professor Oak grinned, "Indeed, now why don't you all grab a camera and a bag of poke feed from the tables. My two volunteers will help you with any confusion."
He got a chorus of 'Okays', before the kids moved to the two tables. Litten and Eevee sat in front of them tables making the kids coo at them, while Pikachu stayed next to Ash as Charmander watched the new kids with a curious eye. Some of the kids were fascinated by the Charmander who was quite large in size by now, not as big as Charmeleon but still and they commented on how cute Pikachu was. The Pokemon soaked up the attention easily making Gary relax, he was a bit worried they might not get along with the new kids. Ash smiled at him understanding his worry as he explained the different feed that were in the disposable bags. Gary noticed one of the kids was listening to Ash very attentively, as he was explaining to his audience on how to use the camera. He was, Gary would admit, adorable to look at with the red clip on his hair. Once the explanations were done the kids took off in groups of two and three to look for Pokemon.
Ash giggled, "All the poke feed bags are gone. I'm going to grab some more."
Gary smiled, "I'll go with you. It'll be faster if we both carry the stuff. You guys stay here okay."
Litten, -We'll watch out for them.-
Eevee nodded, -Don't worry.-
Pikachu, -Between Gengar, Charizard and the four of us we can handle it.-
Charmander yawned, -This place is safe. What could happen anyway?-
Pikachu hit the fire lizard, -Do not jinx it.-
Eevee looked at him exasperated, -Yeah man. Or the next thing we know we have a problem in our laps.-
Gary laughed, "Don't fight guys. We'll be back in a jiff."
The two volunteers left to grab more items for the table as well as the lunch prepared for everyone. They knew by the time the campers returned from their jaunt through the fields of Pokemon, behind the lab, they would all be hungry. After collecting the extra pokefeed, they helped the cooks with the lunches and waited for the others to settle at the picnic area. Goh and Chloe enjoyed their time at the camp, they had also become good friends with a boy named Ritchie. The three of them spent time together talking about their likes, dislikes and interests.
Goh watched the people around them, "You know, I don't think the two volunteers are much older than us."
Ritchie, "Hmm, I heard about them before as well. Apparently, they are the Professor's most prized students, they already cleared their Junior school and are now in Junior High. I heard they are gonna be in their second year soon."
Chloe blinked, "So, they are geniuses? I am not surprised."
Ritchie laughed, "They don't think that way. I saw an interview once, they said, they just want to finish at least High School before going on a journey."
Here Ritchie started to whisper, "Word has it, they were the reason why the Professor wants every kid to clear at least Junior High before considering becoming a trainer. I mean, their older brothers cleared that level of education. That way even if people lost interest in being a trainer, they can still enter High School."
Goh looked over at the two who were serving food, "Seriously? Ugh! I hate school though. I rather spend more time with Pokemon."
Ritchie laughed at his new pouting friend, "Seriously yes. I even heard a rumour in the trainer sites those two found a treasure that led to the first Dynamax Pokemon being discovered. I'm not sure of the details though."
Chloe hummed, "Well they are smart, I'll give you that. You should learn from it Goh."
Goh stuck his tongue out, "I'll figure something out on my own."
Two days went by pretty fast with the campers enjoying the company of the Pokemon and nature. Professor Oak explaining the different types and habitats each Pokemon use and learning how to camp out in the wild on their own. Ash was volunteering in showing the campers how to make Pokefood for the Pokemon based on the likes and dislikes. While Gary helped in showing the process of grooming the Pokemon who were comfortable enough to get close to the young kids.
Ritchie gushed on the third day, "I want a Charmander as well. He is so cool."
Goh laughed, "Yeah. He is pretty cool and cute too."
Chloe, "I still can't believe those Pokemon listen to them. Aren't the two of them the same age as us?"
Goh, "Yeah, it's really cool. They are really nice too."
The three of them heard a soft laugh coming from in front of them and looked up to see Ash standing there smiling, "Thank you, you three are very sweet as well. Please call me Ash."
Chloe blushed at being caught, "Ah.. That.. Um.. I am Chloe nice to meet you."
Goh was pink as well, "Hello I'm Goh, nice to meet you."
Ritchie shook his embarrassment off, "My name is Ritchie."
Ash grinned, "I hope you are enjoying the camp."
Goh smiled, "We are. It's fun learning about Pokemon and actually taking care of them. We usually just read theories from the books."
Ritchie nodded, "Yeah, actually taking care of Pokemon is different than just reading about them. It's much more fun and harder, there are so many factors to consider."
Gary laughed as he joined them, "You know the old saying, 'Practicals are different from theory.', that's the case here."
Chloe smiled, 'Smart and nice, Goh could do well to have friends like that.'
Chloe eyed the Pokemon, "So are they your starters? The fire types, I recognize them as the Kanto and Alola starter."
Ash blinked, "Oh no! They are not our starters, in fact my first Pokemon is my buddy Pikachu here. I knew him as a Pichu, he chose to follow me. In fact, Charmander here chose me as a trainer as well."
Goh looked at Pikachu who waved at them and Charmander who was observing them, "They are cute. What about you Gary?"
Gary grinned, "Mine is Eevee here. I took care of him from an egg. My Litten chose to follow me as his trainer."
Ritchie blinked, "I didn't know Pokemon can pick their trainers. So, it's possible for a Pokemon to choose me as well?"
Chloe, "That would be cool, if they did."
Gary grinned, "Yes, yes it is. Who knows maybe one of the Pokemon here might want to go with you at the end of the week."
Goh blushed, "You think so?"
Ash smiled, "Yes, yes we do."
Professor Oak got their attention, "Kids, gather around. We are going to the forest today. Stay close to one of the adults and always stay in a group. Do not and I mean do not wander around on your own."
Gary, "Well go ahead then. We'll catch up after cleaning up."
Goh hesitated, "Um.. I could help in cleaning."
Ash shook his head, "No need, the Pokemon will be helping us."
Pikachu piped up, -Yes we are... Though you kids don't understand what we just said.-
Ritchie nodded, "Yeah, but it'll be faster if we help too."
Chloe piped up, "Then, you can join us."
Gary hummed, "Let me tell gramps then. We'll be back."
Gary led Ash to where his grandpa was explaining the next activity for the day, "Hey Ash!"
Ash, "Yeah?"
Gary smirked, "I think Gou has a crush."
Ash blinked, "Really? How do you know? We just met them."
Gary let out a breath, 'You are so oblivious to the looks you were getting.'
Gary smiled, "I'm pretty sure. He was blushing a lot too."
Ash giggled, "I wonder who it is though. Ritchie is pretty good looking and Chloe is cute as well."
Gary shook his head at his friend's oblivious nature, 'Well let him figure it out on his own time.'
After that they informed the Professor of the three who volunteered to help them with the clean up. Samuel smiled and agreed to it as long as they were careful when they went to the forest later on. Ritchie, Goh and Chloe joined them in cleaning up the area and packing away the extra equipment that was not needed by them. The three were pleasantly delighted when they were joined by three Mew, who appeared after the large group was gone. Goh's eyes were twinkling as he spoke about facts that he learned about Mew.
Ash giggled as they walked to join the others, "They love coming here to relax or to have fun."
Ritchie who was beside Gary, "Really, and they are not afraid someone will try to catch them."
Gary shook his head, "Gramps made the lab area and the forest surrounding Pallet town a no capture zone. Anyone trying will be in trouble, since a few years ago, when we met Mew."
Chloe tilted her head, "Eh? Why?"
Ash smiled, "Because Mew has responsibilities... Actually most legendaries have responsibilities towards this world. So capturing them is a risk because if a trainer does that, he/she will have to stop their journey and take up the responsibility in their place instead. Mew here is responsible for the birth of different types of Pokemon. If they are captured well I think you can guess what happens."
Goh's steps faltered, "I didn't know that. Man you three are really cool you know."
Silver Mew blushed, -Thank you.-
Ritchie spluttered, "Did you just talk? She just talked right?"
Pink Mew laughed, -We can use telepathy to talk yes.-
Chloe, "Wao!"
Gary, "Pretty awesome aren't they?"
Ebony Mew, -Thank you for the compliments. We'll leave you here now.-, he pointed towards the clearing in the forest before the three of them disappeared.
The group looked at where Mew was pointing and saw the Professor waiting there with the teachers keeping an eye on the younger students. They greeted the Professor before joining the other kids in observing the wild Pokemon around them. The rest of the week passed by filled with fun and laughter and by the time weekend came around for them to leave, new friendships were born. Ritchie, Goh, Chloe, Gary and Ash shared numbers before the bus came to pick them up, with promises of calls and chats.