Goh never expected that a few jealous words against Ash—casually tossed out during a media interview—wouldn't hurt Ash in the slightest.
Instead, it backfired spectacularly.
Now the entire Kanto region saw him as a [shameless traitor]. Even his childhood friend, the sweet and obedient Chloe, whom he always had wrapped around his finger, had a massive argument with him… and then cut ties completely.
Lying in a hospital bed in Viridian City, Goh stared blankly at the TV as newscasters relentlessly criticized him. When he scrolled through his phone, the flood of online articles and self-media scolding him felt like a thousand cuts.
It was too much. He was on the verge of a breakdown.
Ever since the summer camp started—he arrived late and blamed Chloe, then got attacked by Gyarados during the fishing event and had to be rescued by Ash using everything he had. But in return? Goh spread vicious rumors behind Ash's back.
Now, even the doctors and nurses who used to smile at him were visibly disgusted. Their eyes, once gentle, now brimmed with contempt every time they came to administer injections or apply medicine.
Unlike Ash, who was safe in the internet-less bubble of the Pokémon Summer Camp, Goh was in the middle of the storm—fully connected, and fully consumed by the wrath of public opinion.
He was drowning in the sea of criticism he created himself.
And then, just as the storm seemed to be settling... Goh made it worse.
The second major incident of the camp was once again tied to none other than Goh.
Unable to handle the scolding from the outside world, Goh—still recovering—limped back to the Summer Camp at the end of the first week.
He hoped to play the sympathy card, apologize to Ash and Professor Oak, and appeal to the public's pity.
His goal? Redemption.
Ash, however, saw through it immediately.
Sure, Green and Gary openly scoffed at Goh's crocodile tears, but Ash didn't act harshly. Not because he was "forgiving," but because he saw the game Goh was playing. If he lashed out, Goh might actually come off as the victim.
So Ash simply gave a cold, indifferent response and chose not to pursue the matter.
Later, when Yoko from Saffron TV interviewed Ash about the apology, he remained composed and even appeared generous—refusing to slander Goh further.
This unexpected maturity only boosted Ash's reputation even more.
After two quiet days back in the "village with no internet," Goh convinced himself the worst had passed.
He thought people had forgiven him, that the scandal had blown over.
And so, Goh returned to his old, smug, self-important ways.
No, he didn't go back to slandering Ash. This time, his target was… his own Pokémon.
He believed it was Magikarp's fault he got attacked by Gyarados during the fishing event.
He blamed Magikarp for always making him finish dead last in every competition.
And one afternoon, when all the other campers were out doing activities and he was alone in the dorm…
Goh beat his Magikarp.
But fate had other plans.
Just as Goh was punching and kicking Magikarp in the dorm, Puff and Tora happened to return to grab something.
They saw everything.
Already disgusted by Goh's earlier rumors, Puff and Tora didn't hesitate. They ran straight back to the activity field—where the Triathlon event was underway—and shouted to Professor Oak in front of every camper and a live TV audience:
"Professor Oak! Goh is abusing his Magikarp! He's beating it up!"
The broadcast was live.
The audience watching from their homes across Kanto? Exploded in outrage.
If rumor-spreading was a matter of poor character and low morals, then Pokémon abuse?
That's a crime.
One strictly prohibited under League law.
Professor Oak immediately halted the triathlon and returned to the dorms.
Nurse Joy confirmed it—Magikarp had fresh injuries consistent with abuse.
And when Oak, with a chilling glare, asked Goh to explain himself under the weight of truth…
Goh confessed.
Before this, Professor Oak had turned a blind eye to Goh's rumor-spreading, believing he was just a misguided child.
But this? This crossed the line.
Right then and there, Professor Oak expelled Goh from the Summer Camp.
"As of now," Oak declared, "Goh is no longer a recognized participant of this Summer Camp."
He immediately called Goh's parents to come and retrieve him.
Though Oak didn't strip Goh of his right to become a Pokémon Trainer, he issued an official punishment:
…
Goh's Disciplinary Order (Valid Until Age 10):
3 times a week: Mandatory educational sessions at the local Officer Jenny's station
2 times a week: Volunteer work at the Pokémon Center
Must pass a final behavioral review before being allowed to register as an official League Trainer at age 10
Failure to comply will result in permanent disqualification from ever becoming a League-certified Trainer.
…
When the punishment was announced, Goh looked like a ghost—ashen, hollow, lifeless.
As he was taken back home by his parents, there was not a single ounce of sympathy from the public.
Another tidal wave of media and social backlash surged in.
And this time, it was merciless.
Back in Vermilion City's Cerise Institute, Professor Cerise had been watching the live stream of the incident with growing fury.
"Chloe, do you still want to be friends with a kid like that?" he asked pointedly.
"I've already cut ties with Goh," Chloe answered firmly. "I'll never speak to him again."
Even though Ash and his friends were insulated from the media frenzy, the ripples of the scandal were felt throughout the camp.
But by this point, the other campers had already shifted their attention away from Goh.
Today was the final day of the Summer Camp.
Nine out of ten assessment events had already been completed.
Just one more, and Ash would officially earn the right to claim Froakie as his own.
But as Ash looked out at the sunset, another thought lingered in his heart:
"Once the camp ends… Serena and the others will have to go back to Kalos."
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T/N:
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