"Serena, I know you're sad to part ways, and I also understand your feelings," Ash said gently, his gaze fixed on the girl's crystal-clear sapphire eyes. "But tomorrow's goodbye isn't forever. We'll meet again someday."
"Really?" Serena looked up at him, eyes sparkling with hope.
"Of course. Kanto and Kalos may be far apart, but if we really want to see each other, it's definitely possible."
"We've already added each other on social media, right? After we go back, we can talk every day through voice or video calls."
"And when we turn ten and can finally begin our official journeys, you can come to Kanto and travel with me."
"I've already set up an online shop and started earning money, so when the time comes, I'll be able to afford your plane tickets—" Ash grinned, "That is, if you're willing to travel with me."
Ash had already spent so much time and effort nurturing his future wife. He had planned it all out—either Serena would come to Kanto to begin her journey with him, or he'd go to Kalos.
Of course, ideally she would come to Kanto. That would better align with the original anime's storyline and allow him to maintain the advantage of knowing the future plot.
"I will! I'm willing to come to Kanto when I start my journey! I want to travel with you, Ash!" Serena responded without hesitation, her eyes full of determination.
"Good. Then it's a promise. Four years from now, when you officially begin your journey, come to Kanto and find me."
"Mhm!" With their pinky promise made, the tear-streaked Serena finally managed a radiant smile.
Ash continued, "Also, you've already received your Starter Pokémon. Once you're back home in Kalos, even while learning to become a Performer, don't forget to train Fennekin."
"If you run into any trouble with training, just message me anytime. Serena, you're already adorable and talented now, but the next time I see you, I want to meet an even more amazing you."
"I want to see a Serena who's chasing her dream with confidence, who has her own thoughts and insights as a Performer."
"I like girls who are strong, independent, and full of charm. Serena, I hope that girl is you. Can you promise me that?"
"Mhm..."
"This summer camp went so well only because of your help, Ash. Without you, I probably wouldn't have even made the top fifty."
"You're so amazing, Ash. From now on, just like at camp, I'll follow in your footsteps and keep learning from you. I'll become stronger."
"If your dream is to stand at the summit of all Pokémon Trainers and become the world's strongest, then my dream is to stand at the peak of Pokémon Performers—to become the greatest Performer in the world!"
Ash's words had lit a fire in her heart, and Serena answered with resolve and enthusiasm.
"Excellent!" Ash nodded with pride. "Although Pokémon Showcases are more common in Kalos, there are also Pokémon Contests in other regions like Hoenn and Sinnoh."
"When you come to Kanto to travel, I'm sure you'll learn a lot, and it'll help you grow even more."
"…I trust your judgment, Ash. As long as I'm with you, I believe I'll keep learning and improving," Serena said softly.
Having made a promise for the future, Serena's gloomy mood finally began to lift. The future, after all, was something worth looking forward to.
Back at the camp, the students were busy wrapping up their activities. Meanwhile, Professor Oak was working with the League's search team to track down the whereabouts of Team Rocket.
After Saffron TV broadcast the summer camp incident live—revealing that Team Rocket had infiltrated—the entire Kanto region was thrown into an uproar.
This wasn't just any organization. Team Rocket was a notorious underground syndicate, infamous for stealing Trainers' Pokémon, capturing wild ones for illegal sale, and even conducting live experiments on them.
The fact that they had snuck into the Pokémon Summer Camp and served as the students' chefs for two whole weeks? That was horrifying.
…What if they hadn't just stolen Pokémon? What if they had… tampered with the food?
Although today was the last day of camp—and even though the stolen Pokémon were only temporary partners provided by the camp—just imagining it made people's skin crawl.
The public and the parents of the students were all furious and terrified.
Just as Professor Oak had predicted, both he and the Pokémon Summer Camp—and even the Kanto League itself—were under intense public pressure.
Of course, the students inside the camp weren't aware of this. Time quickly passed, and as night fell, Professor Oak personally arranged a bonfire party.
The joyous and lively atmosphere helped wash away the gloom left behind by Team Rocket's theft. After all, those Pokémon weren't truly theirs, and tomorrow they'd be going home.
The students couldn't help but feel cheerful and excited!
To help ease their sadness, Professor Oak extended the bonfire celebration two hours longer than originally scheduled.
By 9 p.m., with bellies full and games played to exhaustion, the students returned to their cabins. At this point, none of them had the energy to dwell on the stolen Pokémon.
After all, Professor Oak had already promised that he would do everything possible to recover the Pokémon from Team Rocket. Even if the students weren't sure it was possible… they trusted the great Professor Oak. That was enough.
Once back at their cabins, they washed up and climbed into bed.
But one boy who usually hated staying up late, who always followed an early-to-bed, early-to-rise routine… found himself unable to sleep.
That boy was Ash.
Ever since transmigrating into the world of Pokémon, Ash had experienced so much and felt he had truly become a part of this world—that it was real.
But today, facing Team Rocket, he realized something.
His mindset… still hadn't fully adjusted.
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