(Back to Ash)
(It's been a few weeks, camp is nearly over, and—surprisingly—Serena seemed calm enough not to run away.)
(Probably thanks to Dragonite and Oak keeping watch. )
Ash [in mind]: 'At this rate, I'll need to approach her before the camp ends.'
(But just as he finishes his thought, he hears Oak call out.)
Oak: "Gary, can I talk to you privately?"
(To which Gary responds.)
Gary: "Sure thing, Gramps."
(as he gets up and walks over to Oak.)
(Oak tells Dragonite.)
Oak: "Take my spot, old pal. I'll be back in a bit. You're in charge."
(He walks off, leaving Dragonite behind.)
Green: "Huh. I wonder what that's about?"
(Green said, who was talking to Yellow and Ash nearby.)
Green: "What do you think happened?"
Yellow: "I don't know... maybe he did something to make Professor Oak mad."
(Yellow said.)
Ash: "Or maybe he'll try and show Gary the wonders of being a Pokémon Professor."
(Ash said, getting a small laugh out of Green.)
(Yellow didn't understand.)
(So, as they spent the next few minutes explaining the joke, Ash noticed something, a certain blonde was missing and nowhere to be seen.)
Ash: "Uh-oh."
(Ash mumbled, suddenly standing.)
Ash: "I think a Pokémon might've wandered off into the forest. I'll go check it out."
(Green narrowed her eyes.)
Green: "You sure?"
Ash: "I'll be fine. If I'm not back in ten minutes, tell Dragonite, okay?"
(Ash said as he lifted Pichu off his lap and handed him to Yellow. )
Ash: "Hold onto this for me."
(Before either girl could argue, Ash was already sprinting toward the trees.)
(Behind him, Green sighed and muttered to Pichu.)
Green: "Five PokéDollars says he falls into a pond this time."
(Pichu laughed, waved his tiny arms, and nodded, placing a leaf, crudely drawn to look like a dollar, onto the table.)
(Once inside the forest, Ash glanced around.)
Ash [in mind]: 'I don't see Serena or that Poliwag anywhere. I guess now's as good a time as any to use Aura to sense them.'
(He closed his eyes and sent out a wave of Aura, feeling the life around him.)
(One presence stood out, scared and alone.)
(Another was quickly approaching it.)
Ash [in mind]: 'That might be her... but there's no good way to know for sure.'
Ash: "Well, I guess I cou—"
(A sudden scream cut him off.)
???: "Mommy!!!"
(Ash almost wanted to give a deadpan stare into nothing.)
Ash: "Welp, that works."
(he said, taking off at a sprint.)
(Bursting through a bush, he found Serena on the ground, clutching her leg and tearing up.)
Ash: "Hey, are you okay?"
(Ash asked, trying to sound as calming as he could)
Serena: "I-I hurt my leg..."
(Serena whimpered, her voice cracking with tears.)
Ash [in mind]: 'Alright. Good time to try it.'
(Ash pulled out a handkerchief.)
Ash: "Don't worry, I can help you feel better."
(As he tied it gently around her leg, he channeled Aura into the wound.)
(The healing worked, though it drained him slightly.)
Ash [in mind]: 'Still not good enough yet.'
(he thought, wiping his brow.)
(Serena blinked.)
Serena: "It... feels a little better. But it still hurts."
Ash: "It'll heal soon. Let's get back to camp before Dragonite notices we're gone."
(Ash said, giving her a little smile, helping her to her feet and guiding her slowly back.)
(On the way, Ash glanced at her.)
Ash: "Hey... I don't think I caught your name. I'm Ash."
(Serena looked down nervously, her voice barely above a whisper.)
Serena: "I'm Serena."
(As they neared camp, Serena opened her mouth to say something, only to be interrupted by a massive bear hug from Dragonite, who swooped in behind them with a relieved hum.)
Ash: "Dragonite!"
(Ash squeaked, arms pinned to his sides.)
(Behind Dragonite stood Green and Yellow with Pichu crossing his arms, watching as Green and Pichu had barely-concealed grins.)
(Ash shot them a betrayed look before turning back to their Pokémon guardian.)
Ash: "Hey, Dragonite, we're okay. Could you put us down, please?"
(Dragonite nodded and gently lowered them to the ground.)
(Serena turned to Ash.)
Serena: "U-um, hey—"
(she started.)
(But before she could finish, Oak's voice called from behind.)
Oak: "Ash, can I talk to you for a moment?"
(Gary returned to the clearing at the same time, looking more confused than anything.)
Ash: "Alright."
(Ash replied.)
(He glanced at Serena and the others.)
Ash: "I guess we can continue this later."
(he added, walking off toward Oak while passing Gary, who gave him a blank stare.)
(Ash walked over, Pichu hopping up onto his shoulder with a cheerful squeak as they made their way toward the cabin where Professor Oak was waiting.)
(When they stepped inside, Oak smiled warmly and gestured for Ash to sit.)
Oak: "Ash."
(he began.)
Oak: "there's something I've been working on with my cousin in Alola. It's a special exchange program. I'd send one student to Alola, and he'd send one here to Kanto. I wanted to ask if you'd be interested in being the student who goes."
(Ash blinked, caught off guard.)
Ash: "Wait... really? Is that why you called Gary over earlier? I'm guessing he said no?"
(Oak chuckled softly, though there was a touch of disappointment in his eyes.)
Oak: "Yes, it would've been easier to send him since he's older and already familiar with my cousin. But he turned it down... so, you're my best option."
Ash: "Gee, thanks, I sure love being the second choice."
(Ash shifted in his seat, thinking.)
Ash: "Alola... I mean, I've never been there, and it sounds kinda fun. But I'd need to talk to my mom first."
Oak: "Of course."
(Oak said with a grin.)
Oak: "We can call her now. Think of it like a vacation with Pokémon training mixed in. I'm sure she'll agree."
(Ash gave a small nod, though his fingers fidgeted a little as Oak turned on the computer.)
Ash [in mind]: 'This isn't what I expected today... but maybe it'll be fun. And if that professor studies Pokémon moves, I might be able to learn some more...'
(As soon as the plans were set, the camp wrapped up.)
(Ash looked at Pichu.)
Ash: "Well, you wanna come with me?"
(Pichu looked up at him, and slowly nodded, as he thought in his head.)
Pichu [in mind]: 'Yeah, maybe i can leave there in Alola if I like it, I'll stay a little longer...'
[To Be Continued...]