Hey there! Thanks for taking some time to read this story, it means a lot!
So, I wanted to try doing something other than a one-shot, and got this idea after thinking of what kind of story I'd like to put my spin into. This is the first chapter, and I'm going to update fairly irregularly, but I want to give y'all a story I'm proud of doing, not some unfinished draft.
If you have any doubts or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment.
Avanti!
Chapter I
"What?", said an bewildered Ash Ketchum.
"Really?", asked a surprisingly wide-eyed Brock.
"Exactly what I told you.", said one Gary Oak, "Gramps wants you to come to the Pallet Pokémon Summer Camp for a day and talk to the kids about battling, contests and how to raise Pokémon."
"But, why me? Why not you, Gary? You know way more about that stuff than me. You're basically a Pokémon professor already, for Arceus sake!", insisted the raven haired teen, Pikachu perched on his right shoulder looking as confused as his trainer.
"First of all, I'm not anywhere near that level of knowledge. It took a very long time for my grandpa to get there, and he was a prodigy. Second, I've been a researcher exclusively since the Indigo League, so we thought it may be best pursuing someone active. Thirdly, you're very known in Kanto for your exploits all around the world, and a lot of the kids already see you as a role model."
"But..."
"No buts, Ashy-boy. You know what I said it's true."
"Brock, help me out!", pleaded the unenthusiastic trainer.
"Actually, that sounds like a good idea, Ash. You went to this camp yourself, didn't you? Maybe giving some tips would help the new kids," said the older gym leader, before his eyes glinted mischievously, "you for example left Pallet looking more lost than a Pidgey in a school of Remoraids."
"Hey! I beat you, didn't I?", barked back the now angry trainer, "with an electric type, even. Great hurdle you were, pal."
"That was the sprinklers fault and you know it!"
"Before the battle you said the whole field was fair game. Sprinklers are part of the arena, therefore it is not cheating."
"Sprinklers aren't part of the field! They are part of the ceiling!"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever makes you sleep at night, glorious gym leader"
"Why you conceited..."
"Stop!", yelled the Pokémon researcher, " I don't care about your little battle, all I wanted to do here was say you're coming, Ketchum, want it or not!"
"Yeah, who'll make me?"
"Me. You'll go, or I swear I will call all the girls you ever traveled with and show them your baby photos."
"I don't have anything to hide", retorted a now smirking Ash.
"You didn't let me finish", and now Gary was smirking, "I will show them...the nude ones!"
Ash paled.
"No! All but that!"
"Then go to the PPSC. It's as simple as that."
"..."
Ash visibly was trying to think of something that could save him from this position, but was falling short every second.
"..."
What could he bring up? The fact that smirking pain in the ass lost to Ash?
No, everybody already know that, and Gary doesn't deny it either.
"..."
Perhaps he could say about that time he fell flat on his face after misstepping at the Kalos airport?
No wait, that was him.
"..."
Perhaps...
"Oh, just go already!", said Brock, "what are you so afraid of?"
"It's just that...I don't know how to talk to kids, how can I give them a lecture?", answered Ash.
"Since when don't you get along with kids? You pretty much became a brother to Max and Bonnie, along with so many others. They even cried when you had to leave."
"That's different. The kids at that camp are a different kind of kids. They are...weird"
"Come on, they're just kids."
"Yeah, Ashy-boy, what do have to lose?"
Letting out a sigh, the trainer conceded to the enquirement, asking when they were leaving and what supplies they would need.
"Now that's the spirit! We'll pick you up tomorrow at 0600 sharply. Would you like to go too, Brock?"
"Yeah, if you don't mind. Sounds like it could be fun".
"Great! We'll wait for you here in front at the corral."
With that, the researcher went off, going to tell his grandfather the good news. He not only got Ketchum, but Brock as well!
Those clueless bastards didn't know what was in store for them.
After that, Ash and Brock started to walk back to Ash's house. After arriving, Ash started packing and bid goodbye to the Pokémon breeder/doctor, to which he responded:
"See ya! And remember, sprinklers don't count!"
Ash just waved and said:
"Maybe, but the beating your Golem took from Pikachu here earlier counts and it's even more humiliating"
Brock halted.
Damn that brat.
After that, it started to rain harshly, making Brock run and take shelter in Viridian City. When he tried to contact his family to let them know he was gonna be late, the Pokémon Center went through a blackout that manage to disrupt even the generators.
When he tried asking nurse Joy for a hand, his eyes glazed and he went to full love mode.
"You must be a nurse, because seeing you only gives me one reaction: Joy!"
The nurse stared hardly at him, burning a hole through him.
"That was the worst pick up line I ever heard. And I have heard ones like 'I know you don't give away Pokémon, but can I have a Pikachu?'. Please take your hotel room key and leave. Immediately. As in RIGHT NOW."
After that, the now depressed breeder went to find his room, only to find the farthest one from the lobby with a broken air conditioning system.
When he was about to sleep, the lights came back full force, making his eyes hurt from the excessive light.
Something told him this was not a good omen for their trip tomorrow.