"I'm so sorry for worrying you!" Ash bowed slightly to Professor Oak, even though it wasn't entirely his fault.
The staff also came forward to explain the previous events. Professor Oak was surprised when he heard the details about Ash.
The other children were shocked to learn that Ash had defeated Fearow. They exclaimed in admiration, their eyes filled with awe. Gary, however, was especially taken aback.
In the past, Gary had always used his knowledge of Pokémon to try to one-up Ash. However, Gary himself wasn't a real Trainer yet, and all his knowledge remained theoretical.
But now, Ash had gone beyond theory and, in practice, defeated Fearow using the two Growlithes. This deeply shook Gary's confidence.
"Hmph! If it were me, I could've done the same thing!" Gary declared, his competitive spirit ignited. Coming from a prestigious family as the grandson of a Pokémon Professor, Gary wasn't about to admit defeat so easily.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault, Ash..." Ser Lena stepped forward, speaking with guilt. Ash had only gone into the jungle to save her, and she felt responsible for what had happened.
"If anyone should be punished, it should be me," she added.
"Don't worry about it. As long as everyone is safe, that's all that matters," Professor Oak reassured them. "When you become Trainers in the future, it's common to encounter challenges like this in the wild."
He continued, "When facing such situations, always analyze your abilities calmly. If it's beyond your skill level, don't act recklessly! And if you see someone in trouble, do your best to help them."
Professor Oak wasn't angry about the trouble Ash and Ser Lena had caused. Rather, he saw it as an opportunity to teach an important lesson. If something had happened to the children, the consequences could have been disastrous.
Ash thought to himself, As expected of Professor Oak, always teaching even in situations like this. He wasn't worried about being scolded—he couldn't recall ever seeing Professor Oak get truly angry.
"Understood!" the children all chorused in unison.
---
Rest and Reflection
"Alright, everyone. It's been a tiring day. Rest here for now. We'll prepare lunch soon. You can play in the nearby open areas, but don't go back into the jungle!" Professor Oak instructed.
The children nodded seriously, the earlier events having served as a clear warning.
The staff released all the Pokémon to guard the surrounding area. With Growlithe's keen sense of smell, any approaching danger would be detected early.
The children were thrilled to see the Growlithes, but two of them ran straight to Ash, barking excitedly. They were the same two Growlithes who had fought alongside him.
The other Growlithes seemed intrigued as well, gathering around Ash. It was as if they recognized him as a hero for what he had done.
Ash found himself surrounded by the Growlithes. Though a little overwhelmed, he was happy about it.
The other children looked on enviously, impressed by how popular Ash was with the Pokémon. They crowded around him, asking how he managed to bond with them so well.
After a while, Ash managed to calm everyone down. He knelt and gently stroked one of the Growlithe's heads, which responded by licking his hand affectionately.
"Would you like to try?" Ash asked, noticing Ser Lena standing nearby and watching.
"Ah? Yes... is that okay?" Ser Lena stammered, her face lighting up with excitement.
"Of course! They're very friendly!" Ash reassured her.
Encouraged by Ash's words, Ser Lena hesitated for a moment before cautiously reaching out her hand. The Growlithe, seeing her approach, leaned its head forward to meet her hand.
Startled, Ser Lena pulled her hand back slightly.
"It's okay!" Ash said with a warm smile.
Gathering her courage, Ser Lena tried again. This time, she managed to touch the Growlithe's head. The Pokémon seemed to enjoy it, rubbing its head against her hand and licking her palm playfully.
"Haha! That tickles!" Ser Lena giggled.
"I want to try too!" Seeing this, the other children eagerly gathered around to interact with the Growlithes. Fortunately, the Pokémon were well-trained and familiar with humans, making them calm and gentle.
"What a bunch of kids," Gary muttered from a distance, pretending not to care. Still, he couldn't help feeling a little envious. Eventually, even he gave in and joined the others.
---
Safety Measures
"Professor, is it really safe? Fearow was just here. What if it comes back?" one of the staff members asked, still concerned.
"It's fine," Professor Oak replied confidently. "Fearow is a territorial Pokémon, but it's also a coward when faced with stronger opponents. After being defeated, it won't come near here again."
He added, "Fearow leads the Spearow flock, so if it doesn't return, the others won't either."
"I see."
"Still, we should remain cautious, just to be safe," Professor Oak advised. "There are many children here, after all."
"Understood!"
The staff nodded and went about their tasks, some preparing lunch while others ensured the camp's security.
Professor Oak turned his gaze to Ash, who was surrounded by the other children and Growlithes. A kind smile spread across his face.
"You really are your father's son," he murmured to himself.