c134: Ash's Heart Is Half Cold!!
In addition to Xiaochun and Goh (Xiaohao), a total of 98 students took part in today's Pokémon short film showcase.
Initially, most students had high expectations for the films they had created. Brimming with confidence, many believed that their short videos would wow the crowd, impress the instructors, and easily earn the coveted perfect score of 10 points.
However, as the screenings began, that confidence began to crumble. The first two short films shown Xiaoling's Smart Rattata and Gary's Air Race immediately raised the bar.
Both students had employed a "Thumb Camera," a clever recording tool that many others had either never considered or weren't even aware of. By strapping these tiny cameras onto their Pokémon, they delivered immersive first-person perspectives that added a unique dimension to their storytelling something that caught the entire class off guard.
Comparing their own projects to the two films just presented, the rest of the students felt the sting of harsh reality. What they once saw as innovative or polished now seemed embarrassingly amateurish.
The pressure was suffocating especially considering that even these outstanding short films had only received 9 and 9.5 points respectively. That left the possibility of achieving a perfect 10 looking all the more daunting.
If such near-flawless projects couldn't reach full marks, what chance did the others have? With 10 being the top score and 6 being the pass line, a creeping fear arose among them: What if their films didn't even pass?
Even Ash, ever brimming with self-belief, began to feel a creeping unease claw at the back of his mind.
"Oh man, I really hope I don't bomb today," Ash thought, fidgeting in his seat. "If this goes badly... what a disaster."
But in truth, Ash was overthinking it. The kids at this summer camp ranged in age, with some as young as six. Not everyone was as advanced or naturally talented as Gary.
If all students were as sharp and technically skilled as Professor Oak's grandson, then the title of "Professor Oak's grandson" would lose much of its weight.
In reality, the reason Professor Oak chose to feature Xiaoling's and Gary's short films first wasn't to intimidate or discourage the rest. Rather, today marked the first live broadcast of the Pokémon Summer Camp on Saffron TV, and Oak had been strategic.
By showcasing two of the best-crafted films up front, he ensured the live broadcast wouldn't disappoint viewers across Kanto. He wanted to capture public interest, show off the potential of these young Trainers, and maintain the reputation of the summer camp.
Moreover, Oak's impartiality was evident. Even though Gary's film was well-shot, with refined editing and layered narrative, Oak awarded it a 9.5 not a perfect 10—demonstrating fairness and restraint. He had no intention of being seen as biased, even toward his own grandson.
Oak was confident that if the general public watching from home first saw quality content, they'd be more understanding if the subsequent films fell short in comparison. By raising expectations early, viewers could then contextualize the inevitable variation in skill among these young participants.
And just as Oak had predicted, the citizens of Kanto watching from their living rooms were thoroughly impressed. The praise came pouring in. Social media comments, instant messages, and viewer reactions flooded in during the live broadcast, commending the creativity, technical execution, and heartwarming storytelling of the short films Smart Rattata and Air Race.
The summer camp had kicked off on a high note but for Ash, the anxiety had just begun.
"Wow!! Kids these days are incredibly talented. They're making such high-quality short films. And yet, some people online still say that we in the Kanto Region lack exceptional youth? Nonsense!"
"This is truly impressive. Even though the professionally-trained Drone Rotom assisted in shooting, and the Saffron TV staff helped polish the edits later, the actual storylines and creative direction all came from the summer camp students themselves."
"My son was the very first to have his short film broadcast he's amazing!!"
"That Pokémon short was so well-done, I don't think I could create anything close to that quality."
"By the way, Gary—the student behind the second short film is Professor Oak's grandson. And even though his film was outstanding in both narrative and visuals, it still only earned a 9.5 score. If that wasn't perfect, I can't even imagine how impressive a 10 must be!"
"Actually, as far as expectations go, the one I'm most eager to see is Ash's short film."
"Same here. Logically speaking, a Trainer's battling ability and their filmmaking skills shouldn't be connected. But something tells me call it instinct Ash is going to surprise everyone."
Indeed, the two opening films Xiaoling's Smart Rattata and Gary's Air Race had sparked genuine excitement among viewers across Kanto watching the live broadcast. These weren't just passable efforts they were cinematic and original, igniting a wave of anticipation.
But reality quickly followed.
The next several films showcased by other summer camp students starkly reminded the audience of the natural talent gap. After all, most of these children were just six years old. It was unrealistic to expect that all of them would produce polished works. Among nearly a hundred entries, only a small number would shine.
One... Two... Three...
Ten... Twenty... Thirty...
Fifty... Seventy... Ninety...
As more and more films aired, the viewers began to feel emotionally drained and visually fatigued. Their enthusiasm slowly eroded.
Many of the Pokémon short films presented during this stretch felt like avant-garde experiments. Some were nearly incomprehensible in logic and tone, and others were so simplistic that they felt like playground games filmed with Pokémon instead of actors. The awkward editing, jarring transitions, and overly childish storylines made it hard to watch.
Still, Professor Oak, ever the experienced educator, had arranged the screening order deliberately. He knew how to manage audience engagement. After viewers endured a string of subpar films, he would strategically schedule a strong entry to reset expectations and re-capture their attention.
Take Shauna, for example. With ambitions to become a top Pokémon Performer and prior training in film composition, she came to the summer camp with a significant advantage. Under her guidance, Ash's group including Serena, Tierno, Trevor, and others produced consistently excellent work.
Gary × Fletchling: Air Race — 9.5
Xiaolan × Pikachu: Cute Electric Mouse — 9.4
Shauna × Butterfree: Garden and Butterfly — 9.8
Serena × Clefairy: Clefairy and Beautifly — 9.6
Trevor × Sandshrew: Continuous Shutter in the Field — 9.2
Tierno × Poliwag: Sweaty Vigorous Dance — 9.4
And beyond Ash's core group, other campers delivered outstanding efforts as well:
Xunzi × Bellsprout: Searching for the Forest's Secret Garden — 9.5
Xiaolin × Psyduck: Psyduck Watching the Dusk Alone — 9.5
The screening continued, and although several brilliant films emerged, they were heavily diluted by the many weak entries that surrounded them. As a result, the viewing experience for the citizens of Kanto grew uneven. Many were on the verge of giving up if not for one thing.
They were holding out for Ash.
Back at the venue, Ash wasn't enjoying the show. He was sitting stiffly, nervously watching his friends' strong performances. Their excellent cinematography and emotional storytelling only added to the pressure on his shoulders.
He thought about Fishing his short film, shot quietly in the peaceful setting of Xiaoshitan. Compared to the action and drama in the others' stories, his project suddenly felt too simple, too quiet. He couldn't shake the uncertainty.
"I really don't know if I can get a decent score on this," Ash thought, tightening his fists. "And this is only the fourth event of the summer camp. If I mess this up, others could easily overtake me in total points."
His nerves were getting the best of him.
At that moment, Professor Oak stepped onto the podium, smiling warmly at the crowd. "All right! We've now shown the short films made by 97 students," he announced, pausing for dramatic effect. "Only one remains. Can anyone guess whose it is?"
"ASH!!" shouted Student R.
"ASH!!" echoed Student S.
"ASH!!" came Student T, followed by a chorus of voices joining in.
Both the children present and the audience watching the live broadcast from home were united in their curiosity. All eyes were now fixed on Ash, waiting to see if he could live up to the hope he inspired.
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