Chapter Text
Satoshi knew he was a handful.
A loose cannon.
A bad influence.
Or even a ‘misguided soul’ for those who bother to sugarcoat it around the family.
He heard those words while playing with his friends at Professor Oak’s lab, or on the rare occasions he’d follow Mom to the Diner. Maybe that's why it didn't affect him much when he heard his neighbors say it. Anyone who knew him and his rambunctious behavior would say the same — whether it be out of malice or mirth.
“He’s got a lot of energy, that one.”
“That’s one way to put it.” Delia’s voice answered back.
Satoshi paused; the tiny pitter-patter of feet halted on the third step that led upstairs. A pale light cast his mom’s shadow past the archway and onto the wooden boards that led to the kitchen. Her voice carried that same tone she had on the few days she’d come home late from the diner.
“He worries me, Ita. He’ll be ten before I know it.” His mom’s voice sounded strange to his ears, warbled. “You have my respect for how well you handled Reo’s start.”
“Trust me, Delia, it wasn’t always easy. I certainly feel your unease.” He heard a familiar—almost staticky—voice sigh in return. “I can’t say that the worry ever stops, but that's our job as mothers, isn’t it? We can’t help but worry, even if it drives our children mad.”
“I suppose so…”
“... Delia, forgive me for intruding, but… this isn’t what you called me to talk about, is it?”
There was a soft hitch. “Sato’s a good kid.” It was quick, almost sharp the way she said his name.
“I never said he wasn’t,” Ita reassured, before there was a pause. “That boy looks more like his father every year.”
His mom’s shadow jerked as if struck.
“You don’t just worry about where his journey will take him, do you?”
“Satoshi isn’t his father. I certainly never raised him to be.”
“That's not answering the question.”
“...”
“Delia, talk to me. Obviously something’s wrong, and you sound exhausted.”
There was a sniffle, and Satoshi took another step down. The way his mom’s voice broke — he knew she was upset. That made Satoshi upset — and when he’s upset, his mom always gives him a hug with the promise that everything will be ok. Maybe that's all she needed to stop sounding like that.
“I love my son, more than you know, but…-” Satoshi stopped. “... I’m tired, Ita. He’s always getting into trouble, whether it be sneaking out into the forest or tussling with Sam’s grandson. Just the other day he nearly fell out of a tree trying to get close to a Spearow’s nest. A Spearow’s nest, Minori. I just need a break — from everything.” There was a burst of hysterics that escaped her, so sharp that he could almost feel its jolt. “Does that make me a bad mother? I mean, what kind of mother says that she needs a break away from her child?”
“One that’s raising that handful of a boy. Delia, anyone in your situation would feel the same.”
There it was again. That handful. He’d heard it many times before, and he was a responsible seven-year-old who didn’t get upset over small things like that. At least with those who weren’t unfounded anyway.
Although he couldn’t deny that it still hurt when Mom didn’t deny the title.
Silently, he snuck back upstairs as his body numbly remembered to skip the seventh step.
That one always creaked, a loud, noisy thing. Mom always talked about getting it fixed, but she’s been too busy to get around to doing it.
Satoshi closed the door softly behind him; the plush carpet felt rough under his feet. He stood there for a moment with his back to the wood before stepping forward. He walked past his dresser to climb back onto the loft that held his bed, but was stopped by the harsh transition to something smooth under his right foot.
He leaned down and picked up the piece of paper he’d found in the mail that morning.
Satoshi lifted the paper to the moonlight. “Professor Oak’s Pokémon Summer Camp. Ages 10 and below are welcome.” It read, “Mix both study and adventure this summer break.”
An inquisitive hum escaped him, his mind already a mile away. His grip tightened, and he glanced back at the door separating his room from the rest of the house. Summer Break…
𖡼.𖤣𖥧 𖠿 𖡼.𖤣𖥧
Serena pouted from her spot in the car. She clutched her straw hat tightly, dully aware of the fibers that seemed to scratch at her bare arms in return. The low hum of the engine did little to distract her as foreign cities gave way to trees and foliage.
“I don’t want to go. Everyone's gonna think I’m weird and I’m not going to know anyone there.” Serena heard Grace shift slightly in the rented car. She guessed she glanced at the rearview mirror to lock eyes with her own — that of which stayed firmly planted facing the window. “Can’t I just stay with you?”
“That's ridiculous. No one is going to see you as weird, Serena.” Her mom sighed. Weary fondness coated her voice as she rubbed her forehead, her eyes now back on the road. “And we’ve already discussed this. You're going to that camp whether you want to or not.”
All she got in return was an almost unintelligible grumble as the trees gave way to grassy hills that roiled in the wind.
“Life's not fair, Serena.”
Said six-year-old flinched. She was growing to hate that phrase.
“Besides, it'll only be for a month while I compete in the races here in Kanto and in Hoenn. The first few will be a breeze since this year they’ve decided to merge the maiden racers with some of the stake racers. Something about developmental opportunities and small circuits.” Grace explained while she turned the car down another dirt road. The tires kicked up dirt that dusted the window, much to the little girl's chagrin. “That being said, I can guarantee that I’ll be busy within the first half of this month. So make sure to be on your best behavior; I won’t be able to pick you up until it's over. So if something happens, you’ll have to deal with the consequences. Do I make myself clear?” Her mom finally pulled into a small, robust town, if it could be called that. She glided to a stop in a nearby empty field that other parents used as a parking place.
Serena huffed, her grip around herself near crushing and hands fisted into the fabric of her skirt. “Yeah, Mom...” The thrum died as keys turned, and the vehicle shuddered before exhaling its last.
“Serena, Honey, you’ll be fine. I went to this same camp when I was your age, and I loved it. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”
“Yeah, but that’s you. Who knows how they'll act once they realize I don’t know much Kantonese and you don’t have friends anyway so you can’t talk.” Serena glanced back at her mother, who sputtered in mock offense at the easy jab towards her rather lonely social life.
“I have friends.”
“Who aren’t your coworkers or Monsieur Lavigne next door?”
Grace exhaled with an exasperated mirth that danced in her eyes as she shook her head. She suddenly twisted her position in her seat to reach behind her. With a squeal, Serena’s hands fumbled with the seatbelt as she struggled to press down on the red button that trapped her within her mother's reach. With a click, the confines gave way, and she scrambled to safety, over her duffel bag, and towards the door free from a child-protecting lock. The instant her hand touched the smooth metallic handle, she pulled, and the door unlocked with a click; she swung it outward with a flat hand.
In an instant, the scent of sunbaked musk with a hint of brine greeted her. Serena grimaced as she slid out, the oppressive heat wrapped around her face like a physical thing with humidity so thick she could almost feel it in the back of her throat. She grabbed her duffle bag, fitted her sunhat on her head, and slammed the door shut. Her skin already felt tacky, and her hair was now practically plastered to it. Serena watched as a few boys—pink-cheeked and already sweaty—rushed past her toward an older man in a white lab coat who stood beside a bus, clipboard in hand. One boy shoved another raven-haired kid while they argued in rapid-fire Kantonese, far too fast for her to translate properly.
Her nose scrunched up slightly. They sound weird.
𖡼.𖤣𖥧 𖠿 𖡼.𖤣𖥧
Satoshi burst through the trees; his sneakers thumped against the forest floor as he navigated through bushes and patches of earth. He had only caught a glimpse of it, but he’d recognize the blue fur, white belly, and telltale black spiral anywhere. “Poliwag! Wait up!” The boy called out as ferns brushed against his bare legs and arms.
He stumbled, his foot snagged on a loose root, and sent his arms out while pinwheeling in an attempt to remain upright. Satoshi’s stomach dropped, and his eyes caught the last moments of Poliwag’s paddle-shaped fin disappearing through leaves as his momentum carried him forward. The breath was knocked out of him briefly as he slammed into the ground. The yelp that escaped him cut off with a wheezy grunt, which was eclipsed by a slightly muffled screech, which traveled over from the other side of the bush.
Satoshi spit out dirt and planted his hands firmly on the grass while he pushed himself upright. He blinked, then jumped when he heard a rather miserably sounding cry come from beyond the bush. With a curious tilt of the head, he stood up and edged closer towards where Poliwag disappeared. I hope it didn't get hurt…
His hands pushed aside branches and leaves from his face as he waded through. “Poliwag?” He questioned tentatively with a glance around.
The forest almost seemed quieter when Satoshi’s ears picked up a soft, uneven sound that seemed to drift through the trees. He turned towards the sound, and his eyes landed on a girl half lying on the grass. Her dress was littered with grass stains, and her hair was a bit of a frizzy mess.
She couldn’t have been much older than him.
One of the first things he noticed was her tear-streaked face, a smudge of dirt transitioning to mud on one side of her cheek.
Satoshi stepped out fully from the foliage. “Hey, are you alright?”
Her head jerked up and red-rimmed blue eyes met his own. Satoshi was suddenly very aware of his wind-tousled hair, which likely still had leaves stuck in it. She looked unfamiliar, and he knew everyone in Pallet Town. Maybe she was one of the kids visiting from another region? He’d already overheard a few others talking in Unovan on the bus ride to camp. She also didn’t look Kantonian to him, but then again, he hadn’t actually interacted with anyone who lived outside his small town. Judging by the wide-eyed blank look on her face, he could guess his answer.
He pointed his thumb to his chest. “Hi, I’m Ash.” Satoshi tried again; the foreign syllables felt clunky on his tongue. “Who are you?” He redirected his hand to her.
He didn’t get an answer, but he saw her eyes slightly widen in recognition. So Unovan then.
“What's wrong?”
The girl sniffled, and her straw hat tilted downward. “I-I hurt,” another sniffle, “my leg.” Tears still poured down her cheeks as her eyes darted to a particularly nasty scrape on her knee.
A small pang of concern crossed his mind as he got closer. Slipping past a patch of earth that had a drop or two of blood, he crouched in front of her.
“Don’t worry.” He reached into his pocket. Satoshi internally praised himself for actually remembering to take his mom’s handkerchief with him.
“See this?” He proudly held up the piece of fabric. “This’ll make it better.”
Satoshi closed the last few inches between them on his knees, keeping the handkerchief where she could see it. Gingerly, he cleaned the wound and muttered soft apologies when she winced. He glanced up to get a better read on her pain level. Their eyes met for a moment before his darted back down to the wound as Satoshi wrapped the cloth around her knee the same way he had seen his mother do it. “And all done,” he stated with a firm tug on each end of the knot.
He looked up at the girl again. Usually, when he helped other kids his age, he’d be ignored by most or quietly thanked by the nicer ones. Instead, her face crumpled and her lip trembled.
Satoshi froze. Tears welled up in her eyes again. Uh oh
“Hey, watch this,” she sniffled, but raised her head. “Feel better… feel better right away!” He waved his hands around her injured knee before raising them high to the sky. Satoshi offered an awkward, albeit goofy, grin. It was a trick he picked up from his mom. He’d mostly get an eye roll or a laugh. It wasn’t much, but it was better than having to comfort a crying stranger, in his opinion.
The girl blinked, seemingly taken off guard as she glanced between him and the handkerchief. She tried to straighten her knee, and winced as the cloth scratched against the wound. “Ow- it still hurts…” She sniffled, but didn’t burst into tears.
Satoshi’s grin faltered for a moment before brightening once more. It was better than nothing. He pushed himself to his feet, which she tried to follow, only for her foot to slip on the still damp grass.
“I-I can’t stand up.” She whimpered.
“Never give up until it's over, ‘kay?” He countered back as he wiped his hands on his shorts. “Now, c’mon.” Satoshi held out his hand towards her.
She raised her hand, then paused, eyes flicking from her leg to him. He reached forward and took her hand; it was softer than he expected. Satoshi leaned back and with all the strength his little body could muster, he pulled. She rose unsteadily to her feet, but the second she put weight on her leg, it gave out, and her momentum did the rest.
With a startled squeak, she pitched forward. Before he could think, he reached up and caught her around her shoulders. He stumbled backward at the unexpected weight before he steadied himself.
For a moment, they both froze.
Satoshi could feel her fingers gripping his shirt tightly. His own grip loosened around her back.
Her breath hitched in his ear, and she leaned back to look at him.
He blinked. “There you go.” His words rushed out, and it took a second for him to realize he had switched back to his more comfortable Kantonese. Satoshi offered her an apologetic smile, which eased the remaining tension in her face.
Her grip loosened. Right, they were still holding each other's hands. Satoshi gave a nervous little chuckle but didn’t let go. He glanced back the way he came, thoughts chasing Poliwag now long gone.
“I think we should be getting back to the campsite.” He explained in Unovan, already turning towards a less foliage-dense path back. “Ok, c’mon.” Satoshi raised his hand and started guiding the girl back while keeping an eye out for any opposing roots. He half expected her to remain frozen but was pleasantly surprised when she followed with relative ease — aside from the limp, of course.
The grass squelched beneath their feet as they walked among trees and bushes, its leaves rustling in the warm breeze. They descended into silence, which quickly grew as stifling as the dewy air around them.
“Hey, uh, so… Do ya have a name? I mean, obviously, but...” He trailed off while he scratched his cheek. Ok, dumb move on his part, but he’s trying damn it. Before he could dig himself deeper, he heard a soft reply in return.
“My name's Serena.”
He stumbled, taken off guard. So she does speak Kantonese.
“You know Kantonese?” Satoshi glanced back at her briefly before focusing on the path ahead.
“A little. I’m not very good.”
“I think you sounds great.”
“I-... Thank you.” She whispered shyly with her face hidden in her hair.
Satoshi felt the warmth travel from where her eyes burned holes into the back of his neck.
Did I say something weird again?
Fortunately, Serena didn't seem to notice his conundrum.
The two continued down the trail, stepping over roots and ducking beneath low branches. Somewhere above them, a flock of bird Pokémon burst from the canopy with a flurry of wings.
"So..." Satoshi began, as he kicked an acorn with the toe of his sneaker. "Are you from around here?" He scratched his cheek absently.
Satoshi heard Serena shake her head. "No."
"Oh."
She’s very quiet.
"Do you like camping?" He tried again.
She hesitated. "I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"It's my first time."
Satoshi nearly stopped walking. "Seriously?" He glanced back at her incredulously.
Serena shook her head. "You've never been camping?" Another, slightly slower shake of the head. Satoshi whistled and turned ahead in disbelief.
"That's crazy."
"It is?"
"Yeah."
Serena hesitated for a moment. "I've never climbed a tree." She tried tentatively.
This time Satoshi stopped. He whirled around so quickly she nearly ran into him. "What!? You never climbed a tree!?"
Serena blinked. "N-No-... Never." She stuttered, taken off guard.
"Not even a little one?" A hint of frantic bargaining slipped into his voice.
“No." She shook her head again and took a step back.
He released her hand. "Not even if it looked climbable?" Satoshi rushed forward and placed both of his hands on each side of her arms.
She jolted at the unexpected closeness. "I don't think trees are supposed to look climbable." Her cheeks turned rosier than they already were as he held her.
Satoshi stared at her.
Serena stared back.
For the first time since he’d met her, the corners of her mouth twitched upward—not quite a smile, but it was close.
"You are very strange," she said quietly.
Satoshi offered a sheepish grin and awkward chuckle. "Yeah, I hear that a lot.” His grip loosened. To his surprise, Serena actually smiled. It was small and gone almost as quickly as it appeared. But seeing it made Satoshi’s grin widen. "There it is."
Serena’s smile faltered. "Huh?"
"Your smile." The moment the words left his mouth, Satoshi realized how weird they likely sounded. "I mean—" He rubbed the back of his neck. "You’ve kinda been looking sad since we met."
Serena's smile visibly shrank.
Satoshi jerked back, lifting his hands. "Not that you looked bad or anything!" he added quickly as his grin faded. "You just look… upset."
Somehow, that sounded worse. Great job, Satoshi. 10/10 Now she’s going to think you’re weird like half of the town of Pallet does.
For a moment, Serena stared at him. Then, to his relief, she let out a tiny giggle. It was so quiet Satoshi almost thought he'd imagined it. His smile returned, and his body relaxed, relieved he hadn’t accidentally insulted his new friend. "There it is again!" he teased cautiously.
Serena's eyes sparkled with mirth, her injury long forgotten. “We should probably hurry. I wouldn't want to get you in trouble.”
“I’m pretty sure I’m already going to be in trouble,” Satoshi admitted abashedly. “I may or may not have been chasing after a Pokémon I caught sight of before I found you…” His voice pitched higher as he scratched his cheek absently. He turned back to the path ahead of them and took her hand again.
Serena blinked. “You ran into the forest. By yourself. On purpose.”
“Uh-huh.” He nodded.
“Why?”
Satoshi looked over his shoulder as though the answer should have been obvious. “Because it was a Poliwag.”
Serena waited for more. “That’s it?”
He nodded enthusiastically. “Yep.” The look on his face suggested that the answer explained everything.
Serena stared at him for a moment before she shook her head. “You really are strange.”
Satoshi laughed. “Maybe.” He paused before adding, “But you don’t look too weirded out by me.”
The trees began to thin around them. Sunlight filtered through the branches ahead, brighter than before. Faint voices drifted through the forest. “Satoshi!”
Satoshi winced.
“Is that your name? I thought it was Ash?” Serena tilted her head.
“It is, but only Mom and people I’m really close with can call me Satoshi.” He stated matter-of-factly.
Another voice echoed through the woods. This time, several others followed the shout. Satoshi's shoulders crept upward, and Serena jolted when she heard her name.
“So both of us are in trouble?” He guessed, already resigned to his fate.
Serena nodded with a worried frown. She commented once she matched his pace. “You don't sound surprised.” She glanced up at him.
Satoshi tilted his head towards her. “I get in trouble a lot. Not that I try to,” he hurriedly added, “I’m just very… uh, experienced. At least that's what Mom says.”
Serena let out another tiny laugh at that. Unfortunately, before Satoshi could celebrate that victory, they stepped out from the tree-line.