023: Gold Healing, Silver Healing
"...These students from the distant Kalos region will be temporarily accommodated in our small town, staying with families of students who have also registered for this weekend's summer camp," Delia explained, raising a finger with an expression of understanding.
"So?" Ash inquired, rolling his eyes.
"Since you've signed up for this weekend's summer camp, our family will be hosting two students from the Kalos region," Delia continued. "Ash, it's important that you get along well with them."
"Furthermore, to convey a warm and friendly attitude, when the summer camp students from the Kalos region arrive in Pallet Town by bus tomorrow morning, all the families of participating students will go outside the town to greet them. So, Ash, you need to rest early tonight and avoid watching TV too late. If you stay up too late, you might be laughed at by your peers during the summer camp."
Delia covered her mouth with a 'chichi' and chuckled, knowing that her son, despite his energy, had a tendency to stay in bed.
"Ah~ ah~, don't worry, I will definitely not stay in bed tomorrow," Ash replied, blushing as he recalled his past habit of sleeping in.
Of course, the embarrassment faded as Ash extracted a crucial piece of information from his mother's words: students from the Kalos region participating in the Pokémon summer camp would arrive in Pallet Town tomorrow. To foster early communication, these students would be assigned to local families, including his own.
"So, we might see Serena tomorrow?" Ash thought, a slight smile forming on his face.
"Considering our age, staying at the Pokémon Center would mean sharing rooms regardless of gender. So, Serena might be assigned to stay at my house temporarily. But there's no spare guest room; would she share a room with me?" Ash pondered, swallowing nervously.
"But... there's only one bed in my room. Could it be that we'd share the same bed? What should I do? Should I agree or decline? We're still so young; we have to wait for a few years," Ash, who had been single for twenty years in his previous life, thought, his face turning redder with each passing moment.
He didn't dwell too much on Serena's early arrival in Pallet Town. Whether it's people or events, destiny would unfold as it should. Ash remained confident in his ability to influence the plot.
Just like his family, previously indifferent to Pokémon, had changed. His mother, Delia, who had been resolutely against him becoming a Pokémon Trainer, had slowly changed her attitude after the drowning and hospitalization incident two days ago. She now supported his dream.
According to Delia's previous stance, it would have been impossible for Ash to participate in the Pokémon summer camp organized by Professor Oak this weekend. But now, Ash had successfully registered for the camp, aligning with the original plot.
In the original story, there wasn't much explanation about why Serena came to Pallet Town from the distant Kalos region to participate in Professor Oak's Pokémon summer camp. Now, through the "Kanto × Kalos Pokémon Summer Camp Cross-Region Cultural Exchange" program, her presence in the Kanto region made sense.
Although Ash, as a time traveler, had introduced many changes to the world, the overarching plot continued to develop along its original trajectory.
This is why Ash wasn't worried about his crossing over. He wasn't too concerned about meeting Serena in the summer camp and leaving a lasting impression on this cute girl, ensuring she wouldn't forget him for years.
Moreover, beyond meeting Serena, Ash was most interested in the generous rewards for the top three students in the summer camp. Not only would they be legally allowed to hold Pokémon before the age of 10, but they would also receive a starter Pokémon from the Alliance in advance.
This summer camp, co-organized with Professor Sycamore's laboratory in the Kalos region, offered students the choice of starter Pokémon from both Kanto and Kalos.
The Kanto starters—Squirtle, Charmander, and Bulbasaur—were excellent, but Ash, familiar with the original plot, knew he could catch them during his journey.
However, the Kalos starters were different. Froakie, which could evolve into the powerful and handsome Greninja, was particularly appealing.
Although, like Charizard, which had variations, Greninja also had its unique form—Ash-Greninja. But Greninja was so impressive that having one, even if not the special form, would be fantastic.
Ash imagined having two Greninjas, one on each side. Additionally, the "Aura" power he possessed could help Pokémon improve their abilities. He believed that even a regular Froakie could grow to a level comparable to Ash-Greninja.
At that time, both Greninjas could undergo bond evolution, one using the 'Gold Healing Water Shuriken' and the other the 'Silver Healing Water Shuriken.' The thought was exhilarating.
And if that didn't work out, Ash could reserve the right to choose a Kalos starter now and ask Professor Sycamore to send over the Froakie when he officially started his journey.
The Pokémon Summer Camp was initially designed to identify talented Trainers for the Alliance. If he performed well, he believed the organizers wouldn't refuse such a request.
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