Chapter 10: Start of an Obsession

"That Chloe...just because she doesn't like Pokemon doesn't mean I can't."

Goh opened the door to his house, throwing his backpack to the far wall and taking his shoes off.

"Mom, Dad, I'm home!"

Receiving no answer, he shook his head and moved to the kitchen. Probably still at work, if he had to guess. Making a sandwich, Goh moved to his room, turning on his computer.

"Come on, internet. Give me some good news."

For an hour he searched the web. Internet forums, news articles, even Poketube. But the answers he sought alluded him. Finally snapping back to reality, he found that he had two new messages on his answering machine.

"Huh? Man, has it really been that long? Must have zoned out..."

Deciding to take a break, he went over to the phone and played the messages. The first one was from his mother:

"Hi, Goh. Listen, your dad and I have to stay late. The company has us on some kind of big project, and something went wrong with the servers, and...well, just don't stay up for us. We'll try to be back by tomorrow morning, but... Anyway, I called your grandmother, and she'll be there by dinner. Love you!"

Goh sighed and shook his head. He loved his parents, really, but he did wish they had more time for him. It wasn't for lack of trying, but being so high up in the company, they often found themselves away for long periods of time. This did come with high income, allowing them a moderate level of luxurious living, but he'd give anything to have a normal family dinner with them, if only once. Still, the promise of seeing his grandmother was satisfying enough for him. She did make a mean stew...

Before he had realized it, the other message had started, and the shrill voice of his friend Chloe came through, making him jump in fright.

"Goh! Would it kill you to pick up the phone every once in a while? God, you and that Mew obsession of yours! When are you..."

Goh rolled his eyes, taking out the homework she had handed off to him earlier.

"She wouldn't be like this if she had seen what I saw. All those years ago..."

Once more his mind wondered, back to a time many years ago. It all started that day in Pallet Town...

Professor Oak was holding a summer camp for children under 10, and Goh had begged and pled his parents to let him go. They were happy to let him go, but neither one of them could take or pick him up. But luckily for him, Professor Cerise had signed Chloe up as well, and was more than happy to give him a ride. Chloe, on the other hand, was none to happy.

"But dad, I told you I didn't want to!"

"I'm sorry, sweetie, but you're mom's due any day now, and we need all the space we can get for the baby."

"But I want to meet my new brother! I promise I won't be in the way."

"I know you won't, but that's not what I'm worried about. I promise, the minute you get back everything will be the way you left it. We'll just...have an extra mouth to feed in the house."

Seeing that his friend was sad to be away from home, young Goh reached out and held your hand.

"Don't worry Chloe, It'll be fun. Besides, it could be worse!"

"Really? How?"

"Well, you could not know anyone there. At least you have me!"

This made Chloe laugh, feeling a little better.

"Alright kids, here we are!"

Goh and Chloe pressed their faces against the window. There, looming atop the hill, was the famous Oak laboratory.

"Woah, so cool!"

"I'll be back to pick you kids up in two weeks. And Goh, if your parents are away, you're more than welcome to stay with us."

"Sweet! Thanks, Mr. Cerise!"

"Thanks, dad."

"You two have fun now."

Once the kids had left the car, Professor Cerise drove off, leaving Chloe feeling homesick. Goh, however, was so eager he couldn't sit still.

"Come on Chloe, lets go!"

Chloe was about to say something when Goh grabbed her hand and took off, dragging her along much to her shock.

"Goh, slow down!"

Despite Chloe's reservations, even she couldn't help but enjoy herself over the next few days. Over the course of a week, the children mingled with each other and Pokemon, participating in activities like Ponyta riding, grooming, and feeding.

At the beginning of the second week, Professor Oak led them on a walk through the nearby woods. Once there, he gave them all a camera.

"Now then, I want you all to go out into the woods and take pictures of any Pokemon you'd like. In one hour, I want you all to meet back here and we'll compare. Now then, be sure to stick to the path, and most importantly have fun!"

His spiel over, the children dispersed to find a good subject matter. Half an hour later, Goh was getting bored. He'd seen lots of Pokemon, but none of them were what he'd call particularly interesting. Just a bunch of Pidgey and Rattata, nothing too impressive.

"Man, I'm never going to get a picture at this rate! I knew I should've gone with the Pidgey, at least it was doing something."

Looking at the guide ropes marking the path. Maybe, if he he went off the trail, just for a minute...

Glancing both ways, he found no one coming to stop him. Good, he didn't need an earful from Professor Oak. Or even worse, Chloe.

Carefully, she slipped the rope over his head and, carefully as he could, began climbing up the nearest tree. Although a few of the branches warped as he stepped on them, none of them broke as he made his way to the top. When he reached there, he saw a beautiful mountain valley on the other side.

"Woah, this is perfect!"

Goh started taking pictures of all the Pokemon he could find, but he should've been paying more attention to his perch. What Goh didn't know was that the tree was old, with many dead limbs, such as the one he was one. When Goh noticed himself sinking lower, he looked down to see the branch bending until...

SNAP!

Goh tried to desperately grab the branch above him, but gravity was too quick and he began plummeting. Fearing the end, Goh, closed his eyes...

Only to feel himself being lifted upwards. Opening his eyes, he found himself back on the path, safe and sound.

"Phew! Talk about a close call."

"Mew!"

Looking up, Goh saw a pink, bipedal cat creature flying off. Goh only caught a glimpse of it, but wasn't that...

"Did I just get saved by Mew? No way, no one's ever seen Mew! This is awesome!"

"What's awesome?"

Goh looked back to see Chloe coming towards him, fortunately only having the tail end of his exclamation.

"Oh, I just got some really good pictures that I thought Professor Oak would love."

"Really? Well, come on then. Time's almost up."

"You go on ahead. I'll be there in a few minutes."

Chloe shrugged, and headed back to the ranch. But Goh stayed behind, smiling as he looked up towards the sky.

"Someday, I'm going to catch you."

Goh was shaken from his thoughts when he heard the front door close and his grandmother yell:

"Goh, I'm here! Come help your grandmother with her things and we can get to making my famous soup!"

Goh smiled and left the room. Mew could wait, nothing could beat the taste of his grandmother's cooking.