"Hmm…"
"Remember when I told you guys I had a secret—something I'd reveal once the Pokémon Summer Camp officially began? Well, this is it."
Ash smiled faintly, his tone casual but his words enough to make the three boys freeze.
"Two days ago, when I was fishing for Water-type Pokémon outside town, I accidentally fell into the river and was hospitalized. But when I woke up at the Viridian City Hospital… I realized something had changed. I had awakened psychic power."
He paused for effect, watching the shock spread across their faces. Then he lifted his hand.
"The ability I awakened—" he said, focusing his energy, "—is something you've already seen."
A soft green radiance shimmered across his palm, the Viridian Power pulsing with life itself.
"I can heal the wounds of both people and Pokémon."
"Whoa…" Trevor blinked, his usual quiet composure cracking as he nodded slowly.
"That's incredible, Ash. You really have psychic power," Tierno said, his face full of admiration and envy.
Gary, however, wasn't so easily impressed. His brows furrowed, concern creeping across his features.
"Ash," he said seriously, "we'll keep your secret safe. You can count on us."
Ash waved a hand. "No need to worry. Healing powers like mine aren't offensive—no one's going to come after me for it. And actually… I plan to reveal my ability during the Summer Camp anyway."
Gary blinked, caught off guard by his confidence.
"Well, if that's what you've decided…" he said, sighing. "You've really changed, Ash. Just like my mom said—you're more mature now, and you actually think things through."
Gary didn't suspect anything beyond that—after all, no one in this world would ever imagine something like reincarnation.
Gary then glanced at the small Electric-type resting on Ash's shoulder. "And what about Pichu?"
Ash's expression softened. "You guys saw it yourselves. We clicked the moment we met. I liked Pichu the instant I saw it—and it seemed to like me, too."
He raised the pearly-white Poké Ball in his hand. "So I used the Premier Ball you gave me the other day to catch it."
Gary's expression darkened. "Ash… that's not what I meant, and you know it."
He crossed his arms, his tone suddenly sharp.
"Every regional league has the same rule: kids under ten are strictly forbidden from owning Pokémon. Violating that law isn't just a slap on the wrist—it's a serious offense. In severe cases, the League can even revoke your trainer eligibility for life."
Ash just smiled faintly. "You'll keep this between us, won't you?"
Gary blinked. "…I—yeah, of course I will."
It only took him a second to make up his mind. His tone was firm, though his heart was conflicted.
Ash chuckled softly. "Relax. It's not as bad as you think. The rule exists to protect kids, not punish them."
He continued calmly, "Besides, when I get home, I'll leave Pichu with my mom. That way, officially, it'll be her Pokémon. Problem solved."
Hearing that, Gary, Tierno, and Trevor all exhaled in relief.
"Anyway," Ash went on, "as Summer Camp trainees, you all know what the top three participants get, right?"
Gary nodded. "Yeah. The top three are allowed to own Pokémon before turning ten—and the League even gives them a free starter from the regional trio."
"Exactly." Ash grinned.
"But wait—" Gary suddenly frowned, crossing his arms again. "The camp hasn't even started yet, and you're already that confident you'll be in the top three?"
Ash smirked, his eyes glinting with quiet fire.
"For someone aiming to stand at the peak—to become the world's greatest Pokémon Trainer—this much confidence is only natural."
He paused dramatically, then added, "And just to be clear… my goal isn't the top three."
He turned away, his voice calm but filled with determination.
"My goal has always been first place."
With that, Ash picked up Pichu and started walking toward the forest path, leaving behind only his confident, free-spirited silhouette in the sunlight.
Gary stood frozen for a second before flushing slightly.
"Tch… Ash, you show-off! That first place is mine!" he shouted after him, though the spark in his eyes betrayed admiration more than anger.
Tierno and Trevor exchanged a glance, smiling at each other.
"These two…" Tierno said, laughing. "They're seriously something else!"
Trevor nodded. "Yeah. Being friends with them might actually be kind of fun."
…
…
Whether his meeting with Pichu had been fate or coincidence didn't matter anymore.
As someone who dreamed of becoming the world's strongest Pokémon Trainer, Ash knew one thing for certain—he could never let a Pokémon with an (Gold) potential slip away.
And truthfully, he had already fallen in love with the little Electric-type.
He hadn't hesitated to catch it right away.
Still, he wasn't reckless—after returning home, he handed the Poké Ball to his mother, Delia, asking her to "keep" Pichu for him until camp was over.
"Whew, that should keep things safe. Once I place in the top ranks and get League authorization, I can bring Pichu out in the open."
"Pichu~!"
Ash smiled, reaching up to pat the tiny Pokémon perched on his shoulder. Its cheeks sparked lightly, making him laugh.
"You're way too cute," he said softly.
Delia called from the kitchen. "Ash, I'm heading to Viridian City's Poké Mart to get some food for Pichu. You boys stay home and behave, okay?"
"Got it, Mom!" Ash replied cheerfully.
The next two days passed quickly.
Between playing with Pichu, chatting with Tierno and Trevor, and occasionally visiting Professor Oak's lab with Gary to meet other Pokémon, the boys were having the time of their lives.
While other kids in town spent their days bored and restless, Ash and his friends lived every moment fully—laughing, exploring, dreaming.
And soon enough, the long-awaited day finally arrived.
The Pokémon Summer Camp… officially began!
…
…
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T/N:
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