SUP!

SUP!

No time to apologize for the hiatus, I have to post this chapter now or it will another two months to do so.

To everyone who favorites and follows and stuff, I salute you! You are awesome as hell!

To everyone who just reads, you're awesome too!

So here ya go, and hope you like.

AVANTI!

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

A week had passed after Ash and Brock's battle.

During this time, Misty and Dawn had finally arrived and taken their position at PPSC. Ash had then thought of leaving, seeing as the staff had now risen to acceptable numbers and also because his new journey was already too delayed, but Gary made sure to use every favor Ash owed him, since they were kids, to get the cap enthusiast to stay.

"But Gary, at the start you said it was only for a day, two days tops! Why do I need to stay longer?", Ash whined. It wasn't like he didn't like it here, but being in one place for so much time was starting to get to him.

"Ash, you know that I can't do that now. There was an emergency near Vermilion and some of the guys who were gonna do that lecture on Pokémon Battle Analyzed won't make it. I need you to do it", Gary reasoned. He knew that it was unfair to lock the trainer here, but the kids came here wanting the best, so that's what they were gonna bring.

"But you could...".

"Ask Brock or Misty, seeing as they're Gym Leaders? Ash, we both know that, as great as they are, you have plenty more experience in battling different pokémon than them. Most people who challenge Brock have low level, common pokémon, like Pidgey or Rattata, besides a starter. Same as Misty, although with some Zubats and Geodudes too. You have gone to other regions, battled so many different people, you can teach them more about versatility than anyone on this camp. Other than Gramps of course".

"Then...".

"Gramps is already going to present the Helix, Dome and the Past World panel about fossils and prehistoric pokémon".

"Well...".

"May and Dawn will be presenting a panel of their own, Finding Your Tune, which will talk about figuring out what plans to follow and what to have in mind for it. Apparently, Iris and Serena will be participating via videochat".

"There's not...".

"A thing you could say to me to let you go? Sorry, brother. There isn't".

"Could you...".

"Stop completing you sentences because you find it creepy? Yeah, sure".

"Thanks, I...".

"Was getting freaked out a bit? It's cool".

"Why...".

"Am I still completing them? Dunno, I'm just on a roll I guess".

"Then...".

"Stop? Dude it's harder than it looks, and since it's pissing you off, I'm fine with it".

"You...".

"Great researcher, you? Was that it?".

"No, I said you're a...".

"Proof of perfection? Why thank you".

"You are such a Grade-A..."

"Human being? Man, didn't know you worshipped me so much".

"Stop!".

"Okay, okay. Man, you're such a..."

"Better trainer than you ever were? Gee, if you say so".

"Well played, Ash".

"Thanks, Gary".

"But you still gonna present it".

"Aww man! Why..."

"You? Because I said so, now get a move on".

And then Gary went to the cafeteria, all the while being glared and called names by the now supremely angry Ash.

"Gary freakin' Oak", he said grinding his teeth before finally moving on to his room to try and prepare something to say.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

The panel's were going great, every one of them attracting the attention of the campers.

Professor Oak's one was the one with most attendees. Not because it was the best, they were all great in their own terms, but because of his notoriety.

Almost all campers would get or already got a partner from the great Professor, so getting to have a lesson with one of the world's leading minds on pokémon was just a can't miss experience.

"You see, children, it's a mistake to think that what's in the past should always stay that way. Take Pokémon for example. Kabuto and Omanyte shouldn't be alive, but by science we could bring some of them back to life. In doing so, we were able to solve some of the questions we had about their physiology and about current pest problems. They were the key to solve actual problems which no other being could with such efficiency".

"Not even with science?", Cindy asked.

"Science does not solve everything, dear. It can only help so much. At the end of the day, we have to understand that some things must be done as nature intended, and not artificially".

Dawn and May's was a success as well, with Iris and Serena making an appearance. They did more of a chat, seeing as this was a more personal subject, but the results were great nonetheless.

"Hello, my name is Faye and I'd like to ask a question for Serena", came a timid voice from the crowded group that was watching the panel.

"Hey Faye, nice to meet you! What's your question?", Serena answered through the TV screen that was set up for the videochat.

"Hmm, how do you know you have made the right call? In choosing your career, I mean", asked Faye. During her stay, it was becoming clearer and clearer to her that there were other things she would like to explore, namely being a Performer, but given her already made choice of being a coordinator, time was not on her side.

"Well, my best guess to that is that you will feel satisfied, you will wake up already pumped for the next day and always try to outdo the you from yesterday", said Serena, her head cocked to the side and scratching her cheek

"Guess? No offense, but I was looking for something more solid", the young camper said, a little saddened.

"Everyone is different, Faye. To someone like Ash, which I've been told you know about, training is practically an obsession. He can't stop talking about pokémon. And he won't either", the Performer answered, laughing along with everyone. Ash was a special case.

A very special case.

"But in other cases, you might not feel like that, and that's okay. Everyone has a different and personal rhythm, and there's not one better than the other, so just ask yourself: is this the thing I'm looking for? The answer should be pretty obvious after that".

"But what if I don't feel satisfied with my choice and want to do more?".

"Then do it. The only one who can put limitations on you are others. You are limitless. You can do whatever it is you like, as long as you're in for it".

That brought a smile to the girls lips. She then proceeded to watch the rest of the panel with an idea for the future already bubbling in her head.

Brock and Misty presented the Gym Leader: More Than Battling panel, which elucidated some aspects of their profession.

"So do Gym Leaders have any other occupations other than battling trainers?", Cody asked.

"Of course, battling trainers for a badge is one of the less important things we do, actually", answered Misty.

"Really?", Cody said, his jaw wide open. He really thought that being a Gym Leader was just training and battling trainers. Perfectly what he wanted, if he was being honest.

"Yeah. You see, in most cases, the Gym Leaders are the strongest trainers in the area, so if any wild pokémon or organizations like Team Rocket are a threat to civilians, it's our job to make sure no one gets hurt. Other than that, we have legal obligations like making sure that the Gym is well built so no challenger might be in danger and environmental ones as well".

"Environmental?".

"Every Gym Leader specializes in one type of pokémon, and every Gym is built as to enhance the pokémon types advantage, seeing as we only use one type while our challengers might have any one possible. So we mold it to be fair to the Challenger while giving us an edge".

"Alright, but I don't understand the environment part in this".

"Well, some Gyms use types that require plants or even animals and such. Take Erika's Gym for example. It's almost a little forest in there. So you need to take responsibility for anything or anyone you bring in. Since mine is a water type one, we have a pool as a battlefield. I can't use water from the main source of the city because, when sent back, it can contain traces of moves like Toxic, for example. So I constantly work with my pokémon to try and reutilize and purify the water as best as I can".

"Long story short, we take care of our city far more than we battle for badges", Brock said.

"Wow, so you're like a city's Champion, then? That's so cool!".

Misty blushed a little at this, "I wouldn't say that, Champions have their own responsibilities to take care of and they are all much bigger than ours".

"Now, now Misty, why don't you take the praise? I thought of myself as a compartmentalized Champion, why didn't you?".

"Oh shut it, you'll end up poisoning the kids with your cockiness".

All the kids laughed. But one in particular was very lost in thought.

'Being a Gym Leader sounds tough, but if what they say is true, then the job just got a whole lot cooler', Cody thought in glee.

He could already picture it: Compartmentalized Champion Cody, at your service.

He grinned. That was so gonna be his first business card.

After lots of panels and an exposition of Tracy's sketches, it was time for the last one.

Ash's.

Everyone got ready for his panel and waited patiently for him.

He wasn't the one they encountered.

Out of the spot that Ash was supposed to appear, stood Charizard, and after looking at everyone, he coughed for attention.

Not that he needed any, of course. A massive orange fire dragon that bested an Articuno was already pretty vised.

"Listenup, ya noobs! Here's how this is gonna work! Y'all is gonna follow me to the Coliseum and then we'll start this panel. Today you will watch a damn fine panel and applaud at the end. We worked hard as hell to make it nice, so none of that smartphone recording crap. Watch with your eyes. Do I make myself clear?", the great dragon commanded.

It was a great speech, to his credit. If it were Lt. Surge who said it, everyone would have already bolted for the arena. But that's not only because of the military man's commanding voice and personality.

It was mostly because he spoke human.

"DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?", the dragon asked again. He was not a very patient one.

Again, no one answered. AND some even cowered after the yell.

He was going to ask (yell) yet again, but a yellow mouse swatted his head with his tail.

"The hell is your problem, you crispy gecko? You speak pokémon, not human! Use that flambé brain of yours to something and fly to the Coliseum. Ash is already waiting ", Pikachu said.

Charizard bowed his head in embarrassment. He almost made some kids wet themselves. And although that WOULD be funny, Ash would not be too happy if that happened. He would certainly sick Totodile on the dragon.

Arceus, everything but Totodile. That little pest was Giratina in a cute outfit.

"Fine", he said curtly and flew back.

Pikachu watched as the dragon went and shook his head. There wasn't one sane bastard in all of Ash's pokémon.

At least the troublemaker wasn't Totodile. Things would have been way worse if it were.

He then turned to the stage and removed a piece of paper that was tied on his tail, giving it to the first person he saw, and went to his trainer.

"Well, what does it say?", Max asked.

The kid who got the paper, a girl called Juniper, then went to read its content.

"Well, it says go to the Coliseum, and take your seats".

"Just that?"

"Yep".

"Then let's get going, I guess".

"Okay, everyone, follow me", the older Oak said, taking everyone to the place where Ash's presentation would be.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

After everyone took their seats, the reflectors turned on, lighting a sole person with a microphone in the middle of the arena. Behind him stood five targets, each with a number from one to five in them.

"Hey everyone! And welcome to Pokémon Battle Analyzed! Today I will debunk a few miths I've heard on my travels and then show you something no one else in Kanto has seen. Are you ready?", Ash asked.

A loud chorus of yes was his reply.

"Come on PPSC, you can do better than that! ARE YOU READY?", he yelled.

A roar was his reply this time.

It's worth noting that everyone was in this, even the staff, so the kids weren't the only ones enjoying the show.

"Now that's more like it! Alright, let's start this! Myth number one: an evolved pokémon is always gonna beat an unevolved one! This is one of the worse lies ever! It is true every pokémon gets stronger with an evolution, but if not trained well enough, all you'll gain is someone who wasn't even adjusted to its own body, let alone a new, sometimes very different one! Pikachu, please do the honor of breaking our first myth!".

At this the rodent shot one of his trademark thunderbolts towards the first target, hitting the very center and shattering it.

In the stands

"Man, what a diva", said Gary with a smile.

"Yeah, that guy sure knows how to put up a show for everyone", Brock said.

"How come Ash knew exactly how to deal with the kids?", asked Misty.

"Probably 'cause he still is one", Dawn responded, smirking.

May laughed at this. No argument there.

"Quiet, I want to see what other myths are there", Max said, standing at the edge of his seat.

"Me too, actually", the Professor continued.

"Really, Professor?", Dawn asked.

"It's never to late to learn new things, dear. And Ash always were an interesting one".

May nodded at this, along with everyone else.

No argument there as well.

At the arena

"Okay, now for number two!", the Pallet prodigy started, "A pokémon with a type disadvantage will always lose! This is something lots of people believe actually, but it's not true. Of course having a type disadvantage will make things harder for you, but it's not a synonym for losing. Not even close. Pikachu, please".

Another thunderbolt, another hit.

"Numbers three and four! Speed is the best weapon or Strenght is the best weapon. These are lies, of course. There's no best weapon. There isn't such a thing. Every plan is possible to fail, and some of them will. You can't put all your eggs in one basket. For this we have a demonstration. Curtis, would you please show all of the arena?", he asked the staff member who was doing all the technical part of this.

At this, five new silhouettes appeared.

"Sceptile, use Leaf Blade on Pikachu! Pikachu, Iron Tail on Sceptile!".

At the stands

"What's he doing?"

"He is gonna hurt the little guy!"

"Someone stop him!"

"Just chill already", Cody said, and everyone looked at him.

"What do you mean chill, he's gonna hurt his Pikachu! He's...".

"No, he won't", Cindy interrupted, "Ash is a seasoned fighter. He wouldn't do this if he knew the risks were too big".

"But...".

"Oh, just quit it! If you don't believe her, look at Pikachu", Faye said, annoyed at the commotion.

And they did. The little rodent wasn't even fazed, he was just concentrated to not get hit.

"Ash obviously went through this with Pikachu, saying his plan and most probably even rehearsing this. He's a great trainer and wouldn't use his pokémon like this", she finished.

At the arena

After two minutes of a stalemate, Ash stopped the match.

"Okay, that's enough! You see, if speed was truly the key, then the fastest of the two would have came out on top, but battles don't work that way. It takes much more than simply being agile. And that's what we'll show now. Snorlax, come here!".

The giant then strode until he was close to Ash.

"You ready?".

"Yes, I guess. A nap first would be nice, though".

"This won't even be 5 seconds long".

"Five seconds, five hours. They're all units of time, and time is best used when used to sleep".

Ash sweatdropped.

"Sorry, but you can sleep after this, how about it?.

"Sure. The more naps the merrier".

"Ok then, Charizard, use Dragon Tail on Snorlax's belly!".

Charizard flew and, after twisting himself in the air for bigger momentum, contacted against the big glutton. His tail even went into Snorlax's belly before being catapulted back towards Ash.

"Charizard, look out!", Faye yelled.

The dragon continued to go towards the trainer who stood his ground.

At the very last second, the draconic behemoth opened his wings and flew upwards, launching a powerful Flamethrower towards the sky.

"Show-off", was Pikachu's opinion on this.

Charizard only smirked.

"Wow, pretty flames", was Snorlax's.

Charizard only face palmed. Leave it to Snorlax to, well, un-badass anything.

"Awesome, buddy! Your maneuvering is still top notch! And nice job, Snorlax! Go Rest now".

Snorlax merely waved before falling on his back, crushing the targets with 3 and 4 in them.

"You see, strenght isn't all there is either. It's a great asset, as is speed, but it doesn't solve everything. If the attack went to Snorlax's head, then the damage would be massive. There's always weak points to explore. All pokémon have weak points, sometimes their weaknesses are their greatest assets, to be honest".

"What does that mean?", asked Cody, from the stands.

"Take Snorlax as an example. His belly protects him well, but he loses a lot of speed because of this. If a quick opponent were able to hit his head several times, the match would be pretty much over. Then we can use Pikachu as an example. Because of his size, he is very agile, maneuvering quickly as you saw with Sceptile. But because of this his strenght isn't very high, it takes far more energy to dodge than it would take for Charizard, for example. There will always be drawbacks, it's how you deal with them that determines your skills".

At the stands

"Nice one, Ash!", yelled Dawn. Although not in her cheerleader uniform, the faithful pom-poms were very present.

"That was awesome! How do you feel about the show so far, Professor?", asked Max.

"It's certainly amazing, Max. I think Ash knew that just talking about battling to kids wouldn't appeal so much, so he made a full-on demonstration. That kid is sure something else".

"Yeah, that he is", agreed Gary.

"How did you even get him to be here at camp for so long, Gary?".

"Well, I just asked and, well, he accepted because he...likes pokémon and the camp a lot and...umm...because he is a good guy?".

"You blackmailed him, didn't you", said Brock.

"Yes, shamelessly, in fact", the older Oak affirmed.

"Gramps!".

"What, its true, isn't it? You even framed him for robbing Misty's fishing rod".

"GRAMPS!".

"So it WAS you!".

"Now, before you mallet him to death, please tell us this, Professor: why did you make Ash stay if you knew about the blackmailing?", Brock asked, hoping to divert the situation, and, who knows, maybe prevent the murder of the younger Oak.

Everyone turned to the older man, who after eyeing the Pewter native for a couple seconds, scratched his head in an embarrassed expression.

"Well, you know, free labor and all".

And at this moment, the older Oak lost all the respect that the youngsters had for him.

"You're an awful human being. Extraordinary in your field, no doubt, but an awful human being as well".

"Yeah, yeah. I could feel bad about that, but one look at the paysheets and I'd actually conspire against him with Gary. You'll see my point, if you ever make the terrible choice of starting a summer camp, but for now let's see the rest of the presentation".

At the arena

"Now for the last one! I'm gonna need everyone that didn't participate here, so Bulbasaur, Greninja and Hawlucha, come here!"

All three of them presented themselves.

"Man, full house!", said Bulbasaur.

"Indeed. It's most pleasing", agreed Greninja.

"It is a great view. Bravo, signori", complimented Hawlucha.

"Wait, what did you just say, Hawlucha?", asked Bulbasaur.

"Bravo? It's a term for...".

"Yeah, I know bravo. I meant after".

"Signori? It means gentlemen in the context I used it".

"But isn't that Italian?".

"Yeah, so?".

"But your name is Hawlucha".

"Yeah, so?".

"Isn't lucha a Spanish term? Why are you speaking Italian?".

"Wow. I mean, just wow. I can't speak Italian because I have a Spanish term in my name, is that what you're saying?".

"No, it's just...".

"Nah, I get it. I should just ignore my heritage because of my name. That's what your saying, isn't it?".

"Bulbasaur, what's the matter with you?".

"That wasn't cool, man".

"Most displeasing".

"Racist bastard".

"NO! THAT WASN'T WHAT I MEANT! I SWEAR!", the small grass type tried to defend himself.

"No of course not. We sure believe you, brother".

"That's what all racists say, you scumbag".

"Stop embarrassing us grass types".

"Please, I...".

"Oh, so now you're being polite, huh? You think that'll make us believe you?".

"Fat chance".

"Come on guys, it...".

"Wasn't your intention? You worded it wrong?".

"All racist talk".

All pokémon stared at Bulbasaur seriously before bursting out laughing.

"Man, you should've seen your face!".

"You almost became a fire type from all the red in your face, bud".

"So you believe me?".

"Of course, little pianta. We were just joking around. I have no idea why that's my name as well. I guess Hawcombattimento was taken".

"Most enjoyable".

Ash just looked at the commotion confused.

Snorlax didn't even acknowledge the noise.

At the stands

"What do you think just happened with the pokémon?", a kid said.

"Well, I guess Bulbasaur said something the others didn't like and he was scolded", another one commented.

"But why did they laugh in the end?".

"I don't know, maybe it was a prank or something".

"Pokémon sure are mysterious".

"Yeah. For all we know it could have been a deep meaning conversation".

At the arena

"Bro, you dumb", was what Charizard had to say to Bulbasaur before Ash intervened.

"Alright guys, how about we continue now?".

All the pokémon sobered at that and went back to their original positions.

"Okay! Final myth! The only thing you should worry about is the moves your friend knows. That's not only wrong, it's downright dangerous. There are stuff that you need to know, and stuff you should know".

"Could you give us some examples?", asked Professor Oak from the stands.

"Of course. Things you need to know are things like abilities, natures and gender. All of these play a huge part in both battle and everyday life. Abilities can turn the tide of a battle around. I've won and lost quite a few because of this".

"Take my friends here as examples: Bulbasaur has the ability Overgrow, which powers up grass type moves when he is close to fainting. Greninja has the Torrent ability which, much like Overgrow, powers up his moves, although the water type ones. But Hawlucha has a thing both of them don't, which is called a hidden ability".

"Hidden ability?".

"Hidden abilities are extra abilities that some pokémon may have. Hawlucha here has his primary one, which is called Limber and prevents paralysis, and his hidden one, which is called Mold Breaker".

"What does it do?".

"Well, there are abilities which are the offensive kind"

"Much like Bulbasaur", Pikachu quipped, and the small grass type only glared.

"And there are the defensive ones. Hawlucha has two of them. Limber prevents a handicap that Pikachu's Thunderbolts or his Static ability might bring, the paralysis. Mold Breaker makes sure that no ability can lessen the impact of any moves Hawlucha does. In other words, it prevents abilities which might hinder the strenght, speed or accuracy of Hawlucha".

Hawlucha stuffed his chest at this. Damn, he was cool.

"Hey, Pizza Hut mascot, pay attention!", said Charizard.

"Natures are the pokémons personalities. Some are cool and collected. Some are childish and pranksters. Some are shy. Some are grumpy. None is the same. And gender goes without saying that it is important. Along with every gender, when the species isn't genderless or a unique gender, goes precautions such as vaccinations and medical appointments to make sure everything is alright. Some diseases can be gender specific, so it's beneficial to know this. Also, some moves, like Attract, won't work on same gender pokémon, so you have got to be cautious as to never think that a move is always gonna work".

While he continued to explain, the pokémon were talking to each other.

"And to think he learned that from Pidove of all pokémon", Pikachu said.

"Really?", asked Sceptile.

"Yeah, he didn't know about gender specific moves, or Pidove's gender for that matter, until then apparently".

"That raises a lot of questions about how much he's qualified to teach all this kids".

"Yeah, but also solves why he didn't get together with any of the girls he traveled with. I mean, they did send signs", Charizard said

"That kid is gonna feel pretty stupid when he discovers hormones", Sceptile agreed.

"Pikachu, since you're the most likely one to see this, record if for us, please?", Hawlucha said

"Sure. The more pokémon know, the more opportunities to mess with him".

"Grazie".

Back to Ash, "the things you should know, well, I'm in no position to decide that. I can't put a method of training or a style of battling in your heads. You should figure that out by yourselves. If you'd like, you guys can come ask me what I think of your opinions. I'd like that. But I won't carve what's right and what's wrong. That's too personal for me to do that".

"And that ends my panel. Now for something you'll be the first to see in Kanto, Greninja, if you please!".

The water type got enveloped in water, changing his appearance to one, well, Ash-like. After doing so and making the kids go crazy, one Water Shuriken obliterated the final target.

"Hope you liked it! Have a good night!".

At the stands

"Wow, that was something else. He kinda looked like you there, Gary", Max said.

"What do you mean?".

"All smart and stuff, explaining in depth and also making things interesting".

The researcher blushed.

"Thanks, Max, I appreciate it. And Ash did put on a show. And I didn't considered he would be using Greninja. I didn't think it would be this good, to be honest".

"Why'd you say that? He had a week to prepare and he's a good trainer, why would you think it wouldn't be good?", Misty asked.

"Because I told him that he had to present yesterday, basically".

"What? Why?".

"There were some problems and the one we asked to come here couldn't make it. We needed a substitute".

"So you blackmailed Ash. Again".

"Yeah, pretty much".

"Do you feel no remorse?".

"Nah, it was great, the kids loved it and Ash was having fun".

"But you made him to a thing he didn't want to".

"Trust me, Misty", Gary said, "he liked doing this, he just didn't want to be asked so suddenly. I've known Ash longer than anyone here, I wouldn't make him do a thing he hates".

A silence echoed for a bit, until Brock decided to break it.

"Well, it's late. How about he go put the young ones to bed?".

And thus the day ended, with everyone having two things in mind.

1 - Ash was better than they gave him credit for.

2 - The Oak's are not to be trifled with.