The Route 2 campground held the energy of a temporary community, trainers from different backgrounds united by shared journey and circumstance. Sasuke parked the Mobile Home in their assigned space and immediately noticed the atmosphere. To their left, a family with three young children set up a tent while their Meowth and Growlithe supervised. To their right, a pair of older trainers organized gear with practiced efficiency, their Machamp and Hitmonlee helping carry supplies.
"It's busy," Miyuki observed, stepping out of the Mobile Home and surveying the area. "I count at least forty other trainers just in this section."
"More toward the center," Kiyomi added, consulting her tablet. "The campground holds capacity for two hundred. We're probably at about half that tonight."
"Which means lots of people to meet!" Kasumi had already started unpacking outdoor chairs from the Mobile Home's storage compartments. "This is going to be fun!"
Sasuke wasn't sure he shared her enthusiasm about meeting large numbers of people, but the communal atmosphere did have appeal. During his Crown Tundra training, he'd spent months seeing only his father and wild Pokemon. Being surrounded by other trainers created different energy, louder, more chaotic, but also more alive.
"I'm going to cook dinner outside," he decided. "The weather's good and it seems like the thing to do at a campground."
"Outdoor barbecue?" Miyuki asked. "I'll help if you want."
"Appreciated."
They set up the portable grill that had come with the Mobile Home, a sophisticated piece of equipment that could handle everything from simple grilling to complex smoke preparations. Sasuke began organizing ingredients while Miyuki helped with prep work, their coordination in the kitchen translating seamlessly to the outdoor setup.
Victini immediately appointed itself supervisor of the grilling process, perching on top of the Mobile Home where it could oversee everything. The Victory Pokemon chirped instructions that Sasuke ignored, though he did toss it occasional treats to keep it occupied.
The family to their left had noticed the food preparation. One of their children, a girl maybe eight years old, wandered over with her Meowth trailing behind.
"That smells really good," she said shyly.
"It'll be ready in about thirty minutes," Sasuke replied, checking the temperature on the grill.
"We're having camp food. It's not as good as real food." She wrinkled her nose. "Mom says we have to eat it anyway because it's nutritious."
Her mother called from their campsite, "Mika! Don't bother other trainers!"
"She's not bothering us," Miyuki assured the woman. Then, to the girl, "What kind of camp food?"
"Dried stuff you add water to. It tastes like cardboard."
Sasuke glanced at the amount of food he'd prepared. He'd brought ingredients for four people with generous portions, but there'd be enough to share. "Do you want some of what we're making? We have extra."
The girl's eyes went wide. "Really? Can we, Mom?"
Her mother approached, apologetic. "I'm sorry, she shouldn't have invited herself-"
"It's fine," Sasuke said. "I made too much anyway. You're welcome to join us for dinner."
"Are you sure? That's very generous."
"We have plenty. And your Pokemon are welcome too."
Word spread quickly through campgrounds. Within twenty minutes, the family to their left had been joined by the two trainers to their right, then by a group of three friends from a few spaces down, then by a solo traveler who'd been eating alone and gratefully accepted the invitation to join a larger group.
Sasuke found himself cooking for approximately a dozen people without having planned it. Miyuki helped manage the logistics, organizing seating, ensuring everyone had plates and utensils, keeping track of dietary restrictions and preferences. They worked together with the easy coordination they'd developed over the past few days.
"You're really good at this," Miyuki said quietly while Sasuke plated the food. "Feeding people, I mean. You seem genuinely happy doing it."
"I like seeing people enjoy something I made," Sasuke admitted. "It's different from Pokemon training. More immediate gratification."
"Your father was right about it being your own talent. This isn't something you inherited, it's something you chose and developed yourself."
The compliment made him feel warmer than it probably should. He focused on finishing the meal, grilled Tauros steaks, roasted vegetables with herb seasoning, rice cooked in the Mobile Home's kitchen and brought outside, and a simple green salad. Nothing fancy, but prepared well and served hot.
Everyone gathered at the combined seating area they'd created by pulling together tables and chairs from multiple campsites. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, strangers becoming temporary companions through shared meal. Pokemon mingled freely, the young girl's Meowth playing with Victini while Shaymin floated nearby offering encouraging chirps.
"This is incredible," one of the older trainers said after his first bite. "You could charge for this quality."
"Just sharing what I enjoy making," Sasuke replied.
"Are you a professional chef?"
"Trainer heading to Pewter City for my first gym challenge."
"First challenge?" The trainer looked surprised. "You seem more experienced than that. I assumed you'd been traveling for months."
"Started our journey yesterday from Pallet Town," Miyuki supplied. "We're all nineteen and just got our Trainer Licenses."
Kasumi had gravitated toward a group of Coordinators who'd been comparing Contest notes near their campsite. Sasuke could hear fragments of their conversation, discussion of Appeal combinations, judging criteria, and upcoming competitions. Kasumi's earlier viral moment with the Snorlax had apparently made her recognizable in Coordinator circles, and the others were eager to exchange tips.
Kiyomi had disappeared entirely shortly after dinner started. Sasuke spotted her about fifty yards away, examining rock formations at the campground's edge with her Ninetales. She held her tablet in one hand and what looked like a small pick in the other, occasionally chipping at the rocks and examining the samples.
"Your friend's a rock collector?" the solo traveler asked, following Sasuke's gaze.
"Archaeologist," Sasuke corrected. "She studies ancient Pokemon civilizations."
"Huh. That's a unique specialty."
Dinner concluded with everyone expressing gratitude for the unexpected feast. The young girl's mother tried to pay for the meal, but Sasuke refused. The older trainers offered to help clean up, which he accepted. Miyuki coordinated the cleanup effort with the same organizational skill she brought to everything.
As the evening settled into night, someone started a campfire in the communal fire pit. Trainers began gathering around it, drawn by the light and warmth. Sasuke joined with his companions after finishing cleanup, finding spots on the logs arranged as makeshift seating.
Stories started flowing naturally, trainers sharing experiences from their journeys, funny incidents with Pokemon, close calls during battles. An older trainer talked about crossing the Seafoam Islands during a storm. A younger one described accidentally evolving their Magikarp by dropping it in a fountain and having it emerge as Gyarados. The young girl Mika recounted her Meowth learning Pay Day and accidentally showering coins on their entire house.
"What about you?" someone asked Sasuke directly. "You've got a Victini. That's rare enough for a good story."
"Found it injured when I was eight," Sasuke said. "Took care of it until it recovered. It decided to stay with me."
"Just like that? A Legendary Pokemon just chose you?"
"More or less."
"Must've been some impressive eight-year-old."
Sasuke shrugged, uncomfortable with the attention. Victini chirped from his shoulder and headbutted his cheek affectionately, the Victory Pokemon's way of saying the story was accurate even if understated.
The conversation shifted to gym leaders and challenges ahead. Multiple trainers expressed nervousness about facing Gaara in Pewter City, sharing stories they'd heard about his undefeated record this season.
"I heard he's even tougher than usual," one trainer said. "Something about League officials evaluating gym leaders for potential Elite Four positions. Gaara's supposedly trying to prove he deserves consideration."
"Great," another trainer muttered. "So we're facing him at his absolute peak performance level."
"What about the Four Supernovas?" someone asked. "They're supposed to be incredibly strong rookie trainers. Has anyone heard anything concrete?"
"I heard Naruto Namikaze beat Cerulean Gym yesterday," the solo traveler supplied. "Someone posted video footage. His Mega Charizard took down the Gym Leader's entire team basically solo."
"Kanaye Senju supposedly has Regigigas," another trainer added. "A Legendary Titan. That's insane for a first-year trainer."
"And Neji Hyuga caught Azelf. The Being of Willpower chose him during some kind of meditation ritual at Lake Valor."
The trainers turned their attention to Sasuke, clearly connecting dots. "You're one of them, aren't you? Sasuke Uchiha, brother of the Champion?"
He nodded reluctantly.
"So the rumors are true? You have multiple Legendary Pokemon?"
"I have a strong team," Sasuke said carefully. "But that doesn't guarantee victory. Gym Leaders are experienced professionals. I'm expecting real challenges."
"That's modest talk for someone reportedly carrying Zekrom and Groudon."
"Modesty or realism?" Sasuke countered. "Power means nothing without strategy. My father taught me that."
The conversation continued, but Sasuke tried to redirect attention away from himself. He wasn't comfortable being treated as some kind of celebrity trainer when he hadn't even won a single gym badge yet.
During a lull in the stories, an older trainer mentioned something that caught Sasuke's attention. "Did anyone else notice the Aether Foundation facility being built near Viridian City? They're putting up a research center right on Route 2."
"Aether Foundation?" another trainer asked. "They're the Pokemon welfare organization, right?"
"That's their public image. Though I've heard rumors about questionable practices." The older trainer lowered his voice. "They're recruiting trainers heavily. Offering big money to anyone who brings them rare Pokemon specimens. Some people are saying it's not entirely above board."
"What do you mean?"
"Just that they're really interested in powerful and rare Pokemon. More than a welfare organization probably should be. My friend took a temporary job with them and said their research protocols seemed... off."
Sasuke filed that information away. The Aether Foundation building facilities this close to their route was concerning, especially given what he knew about their activities from Itachi's warnings and the cargo theft on the ship.
The campfire gathering continued for another hour before gradually dissolving as trainers retreated to their respective campsites for sleep. Sasuke, Miyuki, Kasumi, and Kiyomi returned to their Mobile Home area where they'd set up chairs in a small circle.
"Productive evening," Kiyomi said, settling into her chair with Ninetales at her feet. "I found some interesting fossil imprints in those rock formations. Definitely pre-modern era, possibly connected to the ancient civilizations I've been researching."
"Did you take samples?" Miyuki asked.
"Photos and measurements. Taking actual samples from a League campground without permits would be illegal." Kiyomi pulled out her tablet and showed them images. "But these patterns suggest this area was once underwater. The Pokemon remains embedded in the rock are species that went extinct thousands of years ago."
"That's fascinating," Miyuki leaned over to examine the photos more closely. "Do you think it connects to your research about ancient bonding methods?"
"Possibly. I won't know until I can cross-reference with other data."
Kasumi had been unusually quiet since returning from her Coordinator discussions. She sat in her chair with Gardevoir standing behind her, looking thoughtful.
"Everything okay?" Sasuke asked.
"Yeah, just processing. Those Coordinators I talked to were really experienced, some of them have been competing for years. They gave me a lot of advice about the Cerulean Contest." She smiled slightly. "Also made me realize how much I still need to learn. I thought I was prepared, but hearing them talk about advanced techniques and judging psychology... there's a lot I don't know."
"That's not weakness," Miyuki said. "That's awareness of areas for growth. Which is actually a strength."
"I guess. It's just intimidating."
"You moved a Snorlax with Contest techniques and it went viral," Kiyomi pointed out. "You've already proven your skills have value. Don't let imposter syndrome undermine your confidence."
"Imposter syndrome?"
"The feeling that you don't deserve your success or that you're not as competent as people think. It's common among high achievers."
"Huh. That's exactly how I feel sometimes."
"We all feel that way," Miyuki admitted. "I constantly worry I'm not as skilled as my grandmother was. Sasuke worries about living up to Itachi's reputation. Kiyomi probably has concerns about her research being taken seriously."
"Accurate," Kiyomi confirmed.
Above them, stars scattered across the sky in impossible numbers, far more visible here than in the cities they'd grown up in. The campground had quieted, most trainers having retreated to sleep. Only a few scattered conversations and the occasional Pokemon sound broke the silence.
Their Pokemon had gathered in the space between chairs. Victini and Shaymin played a gentle game of aerial tag, moving slowly to avoid disturbing the peaceful atmosphere. Gardevoir sat in meditation pose, apparently enjoying the night air. Ninetales had curled into a ball with all nine tails wrapped around her body, looking like a pristine white sculpture in the dim light.
"This is nice," Kasumi said after a few minutes of quiet. "Just sitting together under the stars. No pressure, no rushing around. Just... being."
"This is what journey is about," Miyuki agreed. "Not just the destinations and achievements, but moments like this. The in-between times."
"Our mothers talked about that in their video message," Sasuke recalled. "How the journey itself mattered more than the accomplishments."
"I'm starting to understand what they meant," Kiyomi said. She gestured broadly at the campground. "We've been traveling for one day and already we've helped other trainers, shared a meal with strangers, made small connections that probably won't last but matter in the moment. That's the real experience."
"Plus we have a really comfortable Mobile Home to sleep in," Kasumi added. "Which definitely improves the journey experience."
"Practical comfort is underrated," Kiyomi agreed.
They sat together for another thirty minutes, talking sporadically but mostly just enjoying the quiet. Eventually, exhaustion from the full day of travel caught up with everyone.
"We should sleep," Miyuki said reluctantly. "Tomorrow we're heading through Viridian Forest. That'll take most of the day."
"Viridian Forest," Kasumi repeated. "With all the Bug Pokemon. I should prepare some repellent."
"And I want to investigate the forest's historical sites," Kiyomi said. "There are ruins documented near the main path."
They retreated into the Mobile Home and to their respective spaces. Sasuke settled into his ground floor bed with Victini curled beside him. Through the windows, he could see other trainers' lights turning off one by one as the campground settled into sleep.
His phone buzzed with the group chat:
Kasumi: Today was really fun. Thanks for cooking for everyone, Sasuke.
Miyuki: Agreed. Sharing meals creates community. It was lovely to see.
Kiyomi: The fossil finds were excellent. And dinner was good too, I suppose.
Sasuke: Glad everyone enjoyed it. Sleep well. Long drive tomorrow.
Kasumi: Goodnight!
Miyuki: Rest well, everyone.
Kiyomi: Night.
Sasuke set down his phone and closed his eyes. One day of travel complete. Many more ahead. But tonight had proven something important, they could integrate into the broader trainer community while maintaining their own group identity. They could contribute positively to others' journeys while pursuing their own goals.
The Aether Foundation information from the campfire conversation nagged at him slightly. A research facility on their route, recruiting trainers for rare Pokemon. That aligned too well with what they'd discovered on the ship. He'd need to mention it to his companions tomorrow.
But for now, sleep. Tomorrow would bring Viridian Forest, new challenges, and continued progress toward Pewter City and his first gym battle.
Outside, the campground slept peacefully under stars.