Ash could only stare at his mother in disbelief.
The woman he remembered—strict, organized, and sharp-tongued—had somehow turned into this soft, clumsy, and adorably scatterbrained version of Delia Ketchum who now pouted, teared up, and acted like a spoiled girl whenever things didn't go her way.
"What happened to this timeline?!" Ash screamed internally. "Mom's personality completely flipped!"
But he quickly shook the thought away. What truly caught his attention wasn't his mother's newfound "moe" personality, but what she'd said earlier—the rewards for second and third place in the upcoming Pokémon Summer Camp.
"So the difference between the top three prizes isn't that big…" he thought, eyes narrowing. "As long as I place within the top three, I'll get League permission to own Pokémon before I turn ten—and even a free starter. That's huge."
He clenched his fist, determination blazing behind his calm expression. "Even if I somehow miss first place, second or third will still do. This is my insurance plan."
"Right, right—speaking of the Summer Camp!" Delia suddenly exclaimed, clapping her hands together as though she'd just remembered something earth-shattering.
Ash jumped slightly at her sudden shout. "Mom! Could you not do that out of nowhere?! You almost gave me a heart attack."
Delia's lips quivered as she looked at him with teary puppy eyes. "Wuuu… my son yelled at me… you used to be such a sweet boy, Ash… you've changed! My little Ash doesn't love me anymore!"
"Wait, hold up—shouldn't I be the one saying that? You're the one who's acting completely different from before!" Ash sighed, feeling the beginning of a headache.
Delia sniffled dramatically. "I've just had a busy day, that's all. You're so mean to your poor mother…"
"Alright, alright! I'm sorry, Mom!" Ash immediately surrendered. He knew there was no winning an argument against a woman—especially this woman.
Delia instantly brightened, her pout vanishing like sunlight after rain. "Good! Now, to prove you're still my sweet boy, let Mommy pinch your adorable little cheeks!"
Ash froze. "Uh-oh…"
He tried to step back, but her eyes glowed with demonic delight. "Come on, just one little pinch…"
And thus, Ash Ketchum—the future world champion, the boy of destiny, the chosen of Aura and Viridian—fell victim to his mother's merciless "affection."
"Pinch, pinch~! So cute!" Delia sang happily as she squished his face from both sides.
"Alright, alright, that's enough already!" he groaned, cheeks sore from her "attack." "Didn't you say you had something important to tell me about the camp?"
"Oh, right!" she said, still smiling mischievously. "Yes, it's something very important!"
Ash perked up instantly.
Delia crossed her arms dramatically, her tone suddenly proud and serious. "When I went to Professor Oak's lab this afternoon to sign you up, he told me something special. This year's Summer Camp isn't like the others—it's actually a joint event between Kanto and Kalos!"
Ash's eyes widened. "Wait… what? Kanto and Kalos?!"
"That's right!" she said, beaming. "It's called the Kanto × Kalos Pokémon Summer Camp, a cross-regional cultural exchange program hosted jointly by Professor Oak and Professor Sycamore!"
Ash's mind went blank for a moment—then everything clicked.
"So that's it…" he thought, excitement flooding through him. "That's why Serena—who lived all the way in Kalos—came to Kanto for the camp in the original timeline! It wasn't random at all. It was part of this international collaboration!"
The realization hit him like lightning. This was the very event—the exact summer camp—where he would meet Serena for the first time.
Destiny was lining up perfectly.
Trying not to grin too widely, Ash asked in an overly casual tone, "So, Mom, did you happen to hear any more details about this joint event?"
Delia blinked innocently, looking like a kid caught daydreaming.
"You didn't listen properly, did you," Ash deadpanned.
Her eyes widened dramatically. "How could you say that, Ash?! You think your poor mother doesn't pay attention?!"
"Mom…"
"I'm offended!" she said, puffing out her cheeks. "Here, let me pinch you again until you apologize!"
"Alright, alright! I'm sorry!" Ash surrendered again, letting her squish his face as he resigned himself to his fate. "Now please—just tell me what you remember!"
Delia giggled, clearly satisfied. "Fine, fine! Professor Oak said that at the same time this weekend, Professor Sycamore will be holding a matching camp near Geosenge Town in Kalos."
"This year, because it's a cross-regional exchange, both camps will swap a small number of participants! Some Kalos students will come to Pallet Town to join Professor Oak's camp, while a few Kanto kids will be sent to Kalos to attend Sycamore's camp."
Ash's heart raced. "A joint camp with both regions' students…!"
Delia nodded cheerfully. "That's right! Kids could even choose which region they wanted to join when signing up. But… unfortunately," she said with an apologetic smile, "since I originally didn't plan to let you go, the Kalos camp spots are already full. Those students have already boarded their plane to Kalos."
"So, when I went to register you this afternoon, Professor Oak said you'll have to join the Kanto-side camp here in Pallet Town instead."
Ash blinked for a second. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face.
"That's fine," he said softly, eyes glinting.
Because he already knew—she would come here.
If the Kalos side sent a few students over to Kanto… then among them would be a certain little girl with honey-colored hair and a shy smile.
The one who would one day inspire him more than anyone else.
Serena.
He clenched his fist, the corners of his lips curling upward.
"The Kanto × Kalos Summer Camp, huh?" he whispered to himself. "So that's where it all begins."
The legend of Ash Ketchum—and the bond that would change his life forever—was about to start.
…
…