c114: Try Your Courage in the Late-Night Conference!!
"Ah!! There's still an event tonight, and it's going to be held at night?"
"What kind of activity is it? Are we going out in the dark to catch Ghost-type Pokémon?"
"You… Ghost Pokémon? I… I'm most afraid of Ghost Pokémon. My neighbor's big brother told me that Ghost Pokémon eat children who wander around after dark!"
"Ah~ yadaa!!"
When Professor Oak announced that a new summer camp activity would be held tonight, a wave of surprise swept through the students. Apart from a handful who were ambitious and determined to earn the title of "Outstanding Camper" and improve their final rankings, most students clearly showed reluctance.
After an exhausting day filled with outdoor exploration, Pokémon challenges, and three to four hours of hands-on activities, many of the children were ready to rest. The idea of more physical activity especially involving Ghost Pokémon in the dark filled the more timid campers with dread, their faces paling, and a few even letting out anxious shrieks.
"Alright, calm down everyone. Tonight's event won't require you to capture Ghost Pokémon," Professor Oak said with a chuckle. "But as for the specific content, I won't reveal that just yet."
"Return to your cabins for now and rest. The activity will officially begin at 9 PM," added Camp Director Muku, standing outside the cafeteria with a reassuring smile aimed at the anxious children.
"Y-Yes… Okay…"
Professor Oak's authority and reputation carried great weight among the students. Though many were unwilling, none dared to argue or complain. After the brief announcement, the campers returned to their assigned wooden cabins, most of them whispering amongst themselves and speculating about the mysterious activity planned for the evening.
"Ash, what do you think tonight's summer camp event is all about?" Gary asked as they made their way back through the camp, eyeing the students engaged in lively discussion.
"You're Professor Oak's grandson. Shouldn't you be the one answering that?"
"Grandpa didn't tell me anything about the detailed activity schedule," Gary replied with a shrug. "I'm in the dark too."
"Well, if you don't know, then we definitely won't either," Ash said calmly. "No use overthinking it. We'll find out at 9. Just go back to the cabin and rest a bit to recharge. Whatever tonight's activity is, we'll face it together."
He spoke not only to his three roommates but also to Serena and her cabinmates, who had walked alongside them from the cafeteria.
"Mm-hmm…"
"Yeah…"
The others nodded in agreement, encouraged by Ash's level-headed response.
"Nighttime activities, huh…" Ash mused internally. Prior to attending the camp, he had studied previous Pokémon Summer Camp events and reviewed multiple camp schedules and participant feedback. He recalled that night-themed activities, including ghost-type encounters and courage tests, were common in past years. A small grin crept onto his face as the pieces started to fall into place.
After dinner, the children returned to their cabins. Tension slowly built over the next three hours. Finally, the clock struck 9 PM.
The forest beyond the campsite was pitch black. Although the campgrounds themselves were well-lit, the dense shadows between the trees looked ominous like they were hiding ravenous beasts, bloodthirsty phantoms, or unseen eyes watching from the dark.
A cold gust of night wind rustled the leaves, causing the assembled students to huddle together for warmth and comfort. Some of the kids in the back rows of the group line kept glancing behind them, spooked by their own imaginations.
"Alright," Professor Oak said, walking forward. "Other than Hao, who was injured during the fishing competition today, and Chun, who has accompanied him to the nearby Pokémon Center, all other students are present."
"Now, I'll explain the details and rules of tonight's event."
"Tonight's event is called the 'Late-Night Courage Conference.' Students from different cabins will be randomly grouped in pairs. Each pair will explore the forest together."
"There are number plate checkpoints located 200 meters, 400 meters, 600 meters, 800 meters, and 1000 meters away from the camp."
"For each number plate you retrieve as a team, both students in the group will earn two points. The maximum score a student can earn tonight is 10 points—so try your best!"
"Now everyone, please form a team freely. Remember, students are not allowed to pair with roommates from their own cabins. Once you've formed your team, come forward together to register. The activity will officially begin in 15 minutes."
As soon as Professor Oak finished speaking, a loud groan rippled through the crowd of students gathered in the camp square. At first glance, this "Late-Night Courage Conference" didn't seem too difficult there were no Pokémon battles involved, and the goal sounded simple.
But that's only if you looked at it from an adult's perspective. For a group of six-year-old children, venturing into a pitch-black forest at night made this activity instantly skyrocket in difficulty.
Before coming to camp, Ash had done his homework. While researching previous summer camps hosted by Professor Oak, he browsed several community forums where senior campers had shared their experiences. The "Late-Night Courage Conference" was unanimously voted as the most terrifying and psychologically challenging activity of all.
Even normally brave campers like Gary, Blue (Xiaolan), and Tierno who always acted cool and composed now looked visibly shaken as they listened to Professor Oak's announcement. Their expressions were tight with unease.
"Okay, Gary," Ash began, leaning in slightly, "Just imagine how you'll feel if, after all your bragging, someone else surpasses your score and you don't even make it into the top three."
Ash turned to Blue. "And think about it, Xiaolan. If you don't make the top three, you won't qualify for the reward trial to receive an Earl Dervish Pokémon. The camp will just take it back and give it to another kid from Tunyou. Can you picture the regret on your face?"
Gary: "No!! Don't say that!"
Blue: "I don't want that to happen!"
As Ash described the stakes, both Gary and Blue immediately snapped out of their fear and shouted in protest, their earlier nervousness now mixed with determination.
"Alright, since we don't want to fall behind, let's hurry and form teams. Luckily, our two huts already know each other well."
Ash gestured at the group of familiar faces around him.
"Most students have to partner with kids they've barely spoken to and then head into the forest with them in the dark. That's the scariest part, not knowing if you can really rely on your partner."
"Yeah, true," Gary nodded seriously.
Blue added, "Then let's form a group together, Gary-giegie. We'll face it as a team."
Serena stepped forward. "Ash, can I join your team?"
Shauna looked toward the others. "Trevor, let's pair up!"
"Wait! What about me?!" Tierno suddenly cried out, panicking as the friends around him quickly formed teams.
"Xiaochun went to the hospital with Xiaohao, so our hut only has two people left. If we team up together, that leaves Tierno without a partner," Shauna said with a frown.
"There are 100 students in the summer camp," Ash reasoned. "Even with Xiaochun and Xiaohao absent, the remaining 98 can still form 49 teams so no one should be left out."
"Yeah, but since the rest of us from our huts already teamed up," Blue pointed out, "Tierno will have to find a partner from a completely different hut now."
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