c124: Shooting Pokémon Videos
"Still, copying Drone Rotom's skills can be temporarily quashed the priority now is filming the short Pokémon video."
Cradling Froakie in his arms, Ash quietly left the campgrounds and entered the dense Viridian Forest beyond the dam. His mind churned, unsure of how to approach the creative challenge posed by the summer camp's fourth activity.
Truthfully, this was the first event that left Ash feeling stumped.
The opening challenge on Day 1 a test of basic Trainer aptitude was child's play for Ash, whose goal was to become the world's strongest Pokémon Trainer. The fishing contest on Day 2 leveraged his acute instincts and tactical prowess, allowing him to reel in a powerful Goldeen. Even the courage challenge held the previous night in Viridian Forest meant to test emotional resilience barely fazed him. Ash, mentally an experienced Trainer inhabiting a six-year-old's body, saw through the spooky setup with ease.
The only real challenge was helping Serena overcome her fear of the dark woods. She had shown surprising strength; Ash knew from the moment he saw the flicker of determination in her eyes that she held untapped potential.
But today's activity filming a Pokémon short film was different.
Unlike strength-based events, this one couldn't be solved through combat prowess. A great Pokémon video didn't come from a powerful team or a rare Pokémon it came from storytelling, creativity, and capturing the essence of Pokémon.
Ash's usual resources like the System, the Pokédex, or even latent powers like Perception of Origin offered no obvious help in crafting a heartfelt video. This was a test of imagination, not strength.
Wandering deeper into the shaded woods, Ash walked aimlessly with Froakie perched on his shoulder, lost in thought. A few wild Pokémon stirred in the underbrush, including a scurrying Caterpie, but Ash had no interest in copying their abilities today.
Eventually, he passed through the final stretch of trees and emerged at the riverbank the very spot where he'd fished the previous morning.
"Phew..." A soft breeze drifted off the water, laced with a cool mist that rippled across the river's shimmering surface. The familiar scent of moss and water calmed Ash, and for the first time that day, his troubled expression eased.
"Wait Froakie," Ash turned suddenly toward the Water-type. "Over these last couple of days, has anything made you feel happy or relaxed?"
He remembered what Shauna had said earlier: the star of the short film should be the Pokémon, not the Trainer. So instead of forcing a script, why not let the Pokémon help shape it?
"Froaa~!" Froakie's eyes lit up, a cheerful croak escaping its mouth. "I really enjoyed the fishing activity yesterday!"
"Fishing?" Ash repeated, eyebrows rising. "You liked that, huh?"
"Froa-kie!" Froakie nodded with gusto.
"Alright then!" Ash clapped his hands, excitement bubbling. "That settles it—our short film's going to be about fishing! We'll focus on your experience."
Shauna had previously reminded him that Froakie, as a Water-type Pokémon, naturally resonated with water-themed scenes. At the time, Ash had briefly considered filming something based on the river, but quickly abandoned the idea.
He had doubted how to make fishing interesting to watch. The activity, after all, often involved long periods of stillness. Any dialogue could break the serene atmosphere, but removing it entirely might bore viewers.
Though Ash had enjoyed the quiet thrill of casting his line and waiting patiently, he couldn't initially imagine how to turn that into a compelling narrative. So he'd vetoed the idea early.
But now, hearing Froakie share the same fondness for the experience, a new idea sparked in Ash's mind.
Maybe the strength of the fishing scene lay not in dramatic battles or action—but in the peace, in the bond between Pokémon and nature, and in the unspoken connection between Trainer and partner during quiet moments.
"Fishing may not be flashy," Ash murmured, eyes brightening as the idea came together, "but it has a gentle charm all its own."
"Since fishing is a quiet and peaceful activity," Ash murmured, "I can use Assist: Bug Buzz to simulate ambient natural white noise like Pidgey chirping in the canopy, Lotad splashing near the banks, and the breeze rustling through the leaves—so even the silence speaks."
"With the narrative technique similar to 'Mount Nihaosong's Quietude,' I can highlight the beauty of stillness and use it to create a calm, serene atmosphere."
"Even if there's no complicated plot or intense climax, I can still move people through warm, delicate, and emotionally soothing visuals."
"Who said a Pokémon short film must revolve around conflict and complex arcs?" Ash continued, half to Froakie, half to himself. "Just like in TV and cinema, where not every film is a sci-fi blockbuster there are also literary films like Myron's poetic nature series, known for their subtle emotion and artistry."
"As long as today's Pokémon short film feels peaceful, beautiful, and healing, I believe I can earn high marks maybe even a perfect score from the judges and Professor Oak."
Staring at the river, now dappled with shifting light and gentle ripples, Ash who had been uncertain and frustrated just moments ago felt a new confidence bloom inside him. A small but genuine smile spread across his face.
"This Pokémon short film... I'm ready to create it!"
"Froakie, let's follow the creek upstream. There might be a perfect spot for filming just a bit further," Ash said, gently patting Froakie's soft head.
"Froaa!(^_^)" Froakie chirped in approval.
Thanks to their early bond, Froakie hadn't fallen into the hands of a careless rookie Trainer like in the original manga timeline. Instead, it was paired with Ash who, despite appearing six, carried the experience and composure of a veteran.
Though only two days had passed, Froakie had come to fully trust Ash. It wasn't just the Trainer's firm leadership or clear direction it was his empathy and respect that made the Water-type Pokémon feel truly connected. Froakie, mature and disciplined by nature, rarely disobeyed Ash's words.
Cradling Froakie in his arms again, Ash headed farther up the riverbank. It took around half an hour of careful trekking before he found it a secluded filming location that exceeded his expectations.
The summer camp's valley region, shaped like a cupped palm, was surrounded by rising ridgelines from which spring-fed streams flowed down. Backtracking upstream along the same river he'd fished yesterday, Ash finally stumbled upon a hidden treasure.
It was a natural stone pond, formed at the foot of a gently sloped ravine. Trees formed a quiet perimeter around it, rustling softly, while the musical trickling of a tiny waterfall echoed like jade bells clinking in a crystal basin.
The water, pristine and cool, glimmered in shades of emerald and silver. Pebbles of various sizes and colors tiled the bottom like mosaic glass. Near the bank, broad rocks protruded above the surface some forming miniature islands, others resembling stepping stones, and a few with natural ledges that looked like cliff faces scaled down by nature's hand.
Verdant vines hung from overhanging boughs, shifting gently in the breeze. The entire pond felt sculpted by centuries of quiet artistry.
And then, Ash noticed them over twenty Magikarp, swimming lazily just beneath the surface. The water's clarity was such that the orange fish Pokémon seemed suspended mid-air, shimmering like phantoms floating between two worlds.
"Amazing," Ash whispered, stunned by the perfect blend of tranquility and subtle vitality. "If I film our fishing video here... Professor Oak and the Saffron TV Station team are going to be blown away."
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