"…Those students from the distant Kalos region will be temporarily assigned to stay with the families of kids who also registered for this weekend's Summer Camp," Delia explained, her expression bright and confident, as though she had personally organized the whole affair.
"It's all part of helping the students from both regions bond before the camp officially begins—and to promote cultural exchange between Kanto and Kalos." She proudly raised a finger like a scholar who'd just delivered a great truth.
Ash rolled his eyes. "So what you're saying is…?"
"So what I'm saying," Delia continued with a sunny smile, "is that since you're also participating in the camp, our house will be hosting two Kalos students!"
Ash blinked. "Two… what?"
"That's right! Two of them! So you'd better get along nicely, young man," Delia said in that cheerful, singsong voice that meant no discussion would be entertained. "And tomorrow morning, when the Kalos kids' bus arrives in Pallet Town, all the participating families have to go out to the town entrance to greet them! It's a tradition, to show warmth and hospitality."
"Which means," she added, wagging a playful finger, "you'd better go to bed early tonight. No staying up late watching TV! If you oversleep and the other campers catch you being late tomorrow, they'll all laugh at you!"
Ash's cheeks flushed as Delia giggled behind her hand. "Relax, Mom. I won't oversleep."
He couldn't deny it though—his predecessor had been a world-class sleeper-in. Just thinking about that made him blush harder.
Still, something Delia said caught his attention like a spark lighting dry grass.
Kalos students. Coming tomorrow. Staying in his house.
That could only mean one thing.
Serena.
His heart leapt.
"Wait," he thought, eyes glinting. "If she's part of that group… and our home is hosting two of them…"
Then he froze. His eyes widened in sudden realization.
"…We only have one guest room."
That train of thought was dangerous. He tried to stop it. He failed miserably.
"W-Wait, that means… could Serena actually be staying at my house?!"
His imagination took off like a Rapidash in a race.
"And my room only has one bed… so does that mean… we'd…?"
Ash's face went scarlet.
"N-No, that's ridiculous! We're just kids! That's— that's illegal! At least three years of—of misunderstanding guaranteed!"
Though his mind carried twenty years of memories, Ash's brain was still that of a six-year-old—impulsive, unsteady, and easily overwhelmed.
He buried his face in his hands as his thoughts derailed completely.. "Get a grip, man! You're six! Stop thinking like an old bachelor!"
He shook his head rapidly, forcing his thoughts back on track.
No matter what, fate's already doing its part. Everything's falling into place.
After all, even in a world where small events had shifted—his drowning, his powers awakening, his mother's personality softening—the greater storylines were still being "corrected" by the world itself.
Somehow, the universe always found a way to guide things back toward destiny.
Serena was coming to Kanto. He would meet her at the Summer Camp, just like in the original timeline. The encounter was inevitable.
He didn't have to force it. The world itself wanted it to happen.
And that gave Ash peace of mind.
But beyond the excitement of seeing Serena, his focus soon returned to something else entirely—something equally thrilling.
The rewards.
He clenched his fists, excitement flaring anew.
The top three performers of the Summer Camp would not only be granted special League permission to own Pokémon before turning ten, but also receive a free starter Pokémon!
And since this year's camp was a joint Kanto–Kalos project, the options weren't limited to the Kanto trio of Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—there were also the Kalos starters to choose from!
Kanto's starters were fine—he already knew he'd catch them naturally later on during his journey. But Kalos? That was different.
Froakie.
Just the thought of that cool, composed little frog made his pulse quicken.
Because Froakie wasn't just any starter. It was the Pokémon that would one day evolve into the incredible Greninja—the ace partner that could synchronize hearts and battle with him as one.
The bond phenomenon, the transformation that created Ash-Greninja—it was one of the most powerful symbols of teamwork in the entire Pokémon world.
Ash grinned. "Heh, even if it's not the same Froakie from the original timeline, who says I can't raise my own?"
In his mind, he pictured it vividly—two Greninjas standing back-to-back. One casting shimmering golden water shurikens, the other glimmering with silvery light.
"Golden Healing Water Shuriken!"
"Silver Healing Water Shuriken!"
He chuckled to himself, the childish excitement bubbling up uncontrollably.
Man, that would look so cool.
Besides, with the Viridian Power's Source Cleansing ability—the sacred energy that could nourish and strengthen a Pokémon's life force—he could raise even an ordinary Froakie to rival the original Ash-Greninja's might.
If all else failed, he could simply request to defer his reward—ask Professor Sycamore to personally send him a Froakie when he officially began his journey.
After all, the Summer Camp wasn't just some game. It was a League-endorsed event for scouting future talents.
And if he proved himself among the best, surely even the League would make an exception for him.
Ash clenched his small hands, eyes burning with ambition.
"This time," he whispered, smiling confidently, "I'm rewriting the story. And this time, Froakie's going to be mine."
…
…