The half-hour prep time was nearly up. While 99% of the campers were simply bonding with their new Pokémon, only Ash was actually putting in the effort to train Froakie.
But that wasn't entirely surprising—after all, they had just received their Pokémon. Most trainers hadn't even figured out how to give commands properly, let alone conduct training.
And let's be honest: these were just six-year-old kids. They barely had a clue what Pokémon training even meant, let alone how to do it.
"All right, young Trainers, your thirty-minute break and bonding session has come to an end. Is everyone ready?"
Professor Oak stood at the front of the forest camp's central clearing, flanked by his aides, scanning the excited faces before him with a warm, grandfatherly smile.
"We're ready!!"
"We're ready!!"
The kids chorused, faces glowing with excitement.
"Excellent. It looks like this time spent with your new partners has really strengthened your bonds. Now then, feel free to invite another camper into the center of the clearing for a Pokémon battle."
Professor Oak nodded in approval as he looked over this batch of summer camp students.
"Whoa!! A real Pokémon battle?! I'm so nervous… but excited!"
"Anyone wanna battle me? My Pokémon is a Bellsprout!"
"I got a Magnemite! I challenge anyone who dares!"
"I'm the Mighty Kid of Viridian City! Who wants to taste defeat?!"
The campers were absolutely electrified. Holding their Poké Balls aloft like Olympic torches, they shouted over each other, proudly introducing their new partners to the world. Boys and girls alike were itching for their first battle—just like they'd seen on TV.
"Hey… Tierno, Trevor, have either of you seen Ash? The matches are starting, and he's nowhere to be found."
Near the edge of the clearing, Gary and his friends were scanning the crowd.
"I haven't seen him either," said Tierno, hugging his Poliwag. "Where could he have gone?"
"Hmph! Don't tell me he's hiding because he's scared I'd challenge him," Gary scoffed. "But… that's not really like Ash."
"Who's hiding from who now?"
Just then, Ash returned from the temporary Pokémon Center where Nurse Joy had helped Froakie recover post-training. He shot Gary a teasing glare. "You shouldn't badmouth people when they're not around, Gary."
"I couldn't find you, that's all," Gary defended himself, punching Ash lightly on the shoulder. "So, where'd you go?"
"Froakie got tired from the training, so I took him to Nurse Joy for a quick recovery."
Ash gave Gary a playful smirk. "But hey, what about you? The battles are already starting and you haven't challenged anyone yet? That's not your style."
Gary crossed his arms smugly. "I was waiting for you. You, Ash, are the rival I, the great Gary Oak, have chosen. And I will be the one to defeat you!"
"Well then," Ash grinned. "If you're so eager to lose, I'll generously accept your first defeat."
With that, Ash pushed through the crowd and confidently walked to the open battlefield in the middle of the clearing.
"You cocky little—there's no way you're beating me!" Gary growled, quickly following Ash into the center of the arena.
"Whoa!! Someone's stepping up!"
"Who's that black-haired kid? He looks kinda cool!"
"That's Ash. He's one of the two top kids in Pallet Town. The other one stepping up with him is Gary, Professor Oak's grandson."
"Ooooh, a showdown between Pallet Town's best! This is gonna be good~"
"Ugh, 'top kids'? They're just a couple of country bumpkins if you ask me…"
As Ash and Gary took the field, all eyes locked onto them. The crowd buzzed with excitement—some cheering, some skeptical—but none of it fazed the two boys.
This was their first official battle as Trainers. Both Ash and Gary were filled with raw, uncontrollable adrenaline.
"It seems Ash and Gary are our first match-up," said one of the camp staff, marking their names on the scoring sheet. He wasn't the only one watching with interest—Professor Oak stood quietly among the organizers, observing closely.
His face was unreadable, but his eyes—especially when watching Gary—held a gleam of pride.
Fearlessness was a mark of a great Trainer. Especially for the young, courage was essential. Doubt and hesitation had no place on a battlefield.
"As a Flying-type, Gary's Fletchling should have a clear advantage," said one of Oak's aides, Thorne.
But Oak shook his head slowly.
"Ash has always been an exceptionally clever boy. There's a natural warmth in him that makes Pokémon trust him deeply. In terms of Trainer potential, Ash is far ahead of Gary."
"Besides," he added with a knowing smile, "while everyone else was still trying to bond with their Pokémon, I saw Ash off to the side already training Froakie."
"I'd say Ash has the edge in this match. If Gary underestimates him, he might take a serious fall."
"I've never seen you place such faith in a student before," Thorne replied, clearly surprised.
"Haha, just keep watching," Oak chuckled, confident in his judgment.
Meanwhile, at the center of the clearing, the battlefield had been set. Ash and Gary stood at opposite ends. Their Pokémon were already on the field.
Froakie crouched low to the ground, calm and still, like a coiled spring. His eyes, large and alert, locked onto the flitting silhouette of Fletchling in the air.
"Student Gary vs. Student Ash. One-on-one battle format… Begin!!"
One of the camp staff shouted the official start of the match.
Let the first battle of the summer camp begin.
...
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T/N:
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