"So you don't get to go to Galar right now, it'll happen eventually." Chloe said, following Ash into his room.
"I just don't get it, why is it so bad I want to be a better trainer?" Ash asked.
"It's because you're more than a trainer, you're a research assistant as well." Chloe explained. "Trust me, when it comes to my dad he doesn't budge once he makes a decision."
"Wasn't your dad ever on an adventure? Didn't he ever want to achieve something so badly that he'd do whatever it takes to get there?" Ash asked.
"Hey, don't look at me, I didn't know him when he was a kid. He's always been like this while I've been around. Even when I was a kid, if I wanted something and he said no, that was that." Chloe said, a bit sullen.
"What was the big thing he said no to you about?" Ash asked.
"What! Nothing, I'm perfectly happy with everything I've gotten." Chloe defended before leaving.
Ash spent the night trying to come up with ideas on how to get him to Galar for training. In the end he passed out before coming up with any ideas.
"Professor can I ask you something?" Ash asked going into the lab area.
"My answer about Galar right now is still no Ash." Professor Cerise said.
"Actually I was just wondering where Goh and Chloe were." Ash said calmly.
"Ahh, sorry. Chloe has to go to school today, big test I believe, and Goh got called home last night about a family emergency." Professor Cerise said.
"Anything I can do then?" Ash asked.
"Well, there is one thing, but you should have a second researcher for that." Professor Cerise shot down quickly.
"Well then, what about you? You have years of experience researching, and if we run into any trouble, I can handle fighting off Pokemon." Ash offered.
"It would be nice to get out into the field again. No, I'm needed here." Professor Cerise said.
"For what? Ren and Chrysa are more than able to take notes on what comes in. Besides what are we dealing with?" Ash asked.
"A missing Tyranitar. A protected Tyranitar went missing from Mt. Silver earlier this week. Local law enforcement is looking for possible poachers, but I'd like to research the possibility of something else being there strong enough to take down a Tyranitar." Professor Cerise said, showing photos.
"I'm going." Ash said, determined.
"Didn't you hear me, it's too dangerous alone!" Professor Cerise explained.
"I know that Tyranitar, and her child. You can either come with me or watch me go." Ash said standing up.
"Let me get my things, prepare for the worst, I'll expect the best." Professor Cerise said, realizing he couldn't stop Ash if he wanted to.
In the air
"Ash are you alright down there!" Professor Cerise asked atop of Charizard.
Ash was held in Charizard's arms, practically dangling.
"I'm fine, just looking out for anything!" Ash shouted up.
"Why not bring Dragonite as well?" Professor Cerise asked.
"You said prepare for the worst, and I did!" Ash said. He had picked Pokémon that could go toe to toe with a Tyranitar, and while Dragonite was strong, Charizard had fought his fair share of legendary Pokémon. "I just hope they're okay." Ash said under his breath.
At the base of Mt. Silver.
"Why didn't we fly up higher, that's where a Tyranitar would likely be." Professor Cerise stated.
"There's nowhere safe to land much higher than here." A woman's voice knowingly responded.
"Ranger Mason, is everything okay?" Ash asked.
"Ash, if you're here, you already know the answer." Ranger Mason responded.
"Do you think it's poachers again, and what about Larvitar?" Ash asked.
"I don't know, and I don't know. I've been keeping things calm here, and haven't been able to check on their caves to see if that's where they are." Ranger Mason said.
"What if I went? Larvitar is sure to remember me, and if they're hurt, I can help." Ash said.
"Anyone else, I would say no to, but you did rescue and reunite them once before, I suppose I can let you take a look." Ranger Mason said.
"Thanks, you won't regret this!" Ash exclaimed heading towards an entrance.
"Please excuse him, I know he can be a bit brash at times." Professor Cerise apologized.
"That's just Ash, his heart is in the right place. He says he's going to check on them, and I think he'll search the entire mountain if that's what it takes." Ranger Mason said.
Professor Cerise ran off after Ash, to catch up thinking about what she had said.
"So which way Ash?" Professor Cerise asked, three paths in front of them.
Ash knelt down, putting his ear to the ground, completely silent for a minute.
"This way!" Ash said running down the left path.
"Ash, wait up. How do you know this is the correct way?" Professor Cerise questioned.
"Just trust me, and keep your voice down." Ash whispered. "If I'm right, we aren't the only ones down here."
Professor Cerise stayed quiet, it was true he hadn't done much research with Ash, but it almost seemed like Ash was Hyper Focused on the task at hand. Lost in thought, Cerise gently bumped into Ash's outstretched arm. Ash quickly turned directing him to keep quiet.
Ash looked around the corner again to see three thugs around a truck with some cages.
"Come on bros, we just have to tough it out until the heat dies down, then we can escape with the prizes." The first one said.
"Didn't we try this before, and failed. Why would it work this time?" The second asked.
"Oh! Oh! I know why, that kid from last time ain't here no more, and there's no one else the three of us can't handle." The third said.
"Think again! Pikachu use Iron Tail to free Tyranitar!" Ash called out.
"Looks like we've got ourselves a little problem." The leader said holding up a pokeball. "No matter, a little girl like you won't be an issue. Come on out Rapidash!"
"Gigalith I choose you!" Ash called out his Pokémon.
"Rapidash use Double Kick!"
"Gigalith use Stone Edge!"
The Rapidash was blocked in instantly, Ash's experience clearly giving him the lead.
"Good thing he ain't alone! Come on out Misdreavus!"
"We've got your back bro, let's go Sudowoodo!"
"Charizard! Lucario! You're up!" Ash called out his next two Pokémon.
Ash and his team made quick work of the poachers, before Pikachu was able to free Tyranitar and Larvitar.
"Let's get them out of here." Ash said as his Pokémon escorted the poachers out.
"Ash, how did you know they were down here?" Professor Cerise asked.
"I wasn't sure, but I saw tire tracks in the dirt, not many people would take a truck through this mountain, so it was a good first check." Ash said, checking on the rescued Pokémon. "So Professor, before we head back…"
"Ash, despite what I saw it's still no." Professor Cerise quickly interjected.
"I was going to say, would you like to stop in Viridian to get some food, I'm stubborn but even I'm not that stubborn." Ash said hurt.
"We can stop for food, I guess I need to stop jumping to so many conclusions about you." Professor Cerise said.
"Yes, yes you should." Ash said plainly.