Author's note: Understand this chapter is being written before the Galarian Ponyta episode. This is not a rewrite or retelling, this is my own version, focusing on other things more than the Ponyta. Anyways, enjoy!
Ash had spent the better part of the past week going to and from Fuschia cleaning up the mess he had caused. Dragging himself into the lab and into a seat he waited for what their new assignment was.
"Well Ash, I hope you've learned your lesson. Anyways after seeing the potential research opportunity I have approved your request to research Glimwood Tangle." Professor Cerise said, holding up the plane tickets. "Your flight leaves tomorrow, I wish you all luck."
Ash had flopped down on his bed in exhaustion. He was excited to go to Galar finally, but for now he was just glad to have some time to relax.
"It's open." Ash said muffled through his pillow.
"How did you… never mind. I thought you'd be ecstatic to go to Galar again?" Chloe amused.
"I am, train then, sleep now." Ash said, still muffled.
"Okay Ash." Chloe said gently.
The next day
"Only three Pokémon? Are you sure that's a good idea?" Goh asked.
"It's four if you count Pikachu, and yes if I want to reach my goals, these are what I need." Ash said confidently.
"You're much more chipper today." Chloe said, struggling with her bag.
"Come on you three have an early flight!" Professor Cerise shouted from out front.
"You look relaxed for someone having wanted to go to Galar for this long." Professor Cerise said to Ash, as they were driving.
"Thirteen hour flight, no point in getting hyped up just yet, besides I'm curious more than anything." Ash said. "Look at these." Ash held up the photos. "Every one of these photos has this same Pink Pokémon, but not one is focused on it."
"Do you think it's rare?" Professor Cerise asked.
"No clue, but whatever it is, I'm gonna find it." Ash said.
In Hammerlock
"Sure feels different than last time." Goh said looking at the arena.
"Last time we were here, we fought Eternatus." Ash said, walking up beside him.
"What's with the outfit?" Goh asked surprised.
Ash was wearing pink overalls, and a white long sleeves shirt, along with a pair of brown boots.
"Not a lot of choices for my size currently." Ash said sheepishly. "The one good part is pockets." Ash put his hands deep in the pockets to prove his point.
"Glimwood tangle is west of here past the next town. No trains go that way though." Chloe said, looking at a map.
"Then we go on foot." Ash said leading the way.
"Hey Ash, take a look at this." Chloe said in surprise.
"A gym challenge? Here in Galar?" Ash said looking at the poster.
The poster had a group of trainers, some he recognized like Milo, and Raihan, but the other six that he presumed were the other gym leaders he didn't recognize.
"Thinking of taking it on?" Goh asked.
"I don't know, looks like you need a sponsor, that combined with the research, and world coronation series. I just don't see it happening for me." Ash admitted.
Glimwood Tangle
"So first we need to look for a Ponyta right?" Chloe asked. Getting no response, Chloe looked up to see both Ash and Goh had gone their own ways. "Seriously guys!" Chloe exclaimed heading down a path in hopes of finding one of them.
"Okay Cinderace let's do this!" Goh said, holding a pokeball. In front of him were two blue and pink pokemon. "Pokeballs go!" Goh shouted throwing two pokeballs, only for a third pokemon to break them.
"Hatt!" The third, larger pokemon said.
"Alright Cinderace use Pyro Ball!"
Cinderace's attack flew forward, knocking into the pokemon. The two smaller Pokémon quickly hid behind the larger one. A flurry of psychic attacks going towards Goh and Cinderace.
"Sobble, I need your help with this. Use Water Gun! Cinderace use Pyro Ball!" Goh shouted.
The two attacks collided into the larger Pokémon, sending it flying back.
"Now Pokeballs go!" Goh said trying to catch all three of them.
Elsewhere
"There's one." Chloe whispered to Eevee. "Let's try and be nice."
Chloe cautiously approached the Ponyta, trying not to spook it. Eevee was ready just in case he needed to fight.
"Gible use Draco Meteor!" Ash shouted, chasing a small pink Pokémon, spooking the Ponyta.
"Eevee don't let it get away! Use Double Edge!" Chloe said.
Eevee quickly slammed into the Ponyta. The Ponyta retaliating with a Stomp.
"Eevee use Assist!"
Eevee fired a Sludge attack at the Ponyta, before it charged forward.
"Eevee use Copycat"
Eevee stomped down on Ponyta, giving Chloe an opening.
"Pokeball go!"
A while back
"Gible use Draco Meteor!" Ash called out. He had found the small pink Pokémon, and if his hunch was right, the attack would do nothing.
The attack hit the Pokémon square, but it just laughed and kept running.
"That's the one Gible don't let it get away! Use Slash!"
Gible flew forward attacking the odd Pokémon.
"Now use Dig!"
Gible went underground, still chasing after the Pokémon, as Gible went up, it attacked back with a Bite.
"Such a unique trainer using a Dragon against a fairy type." An elderly woman said, from a distance. "Not to mention the fashion choice, they might be the one."
Gible was going back and forth with the strange Pokémon, when Ash realized what it was really doing.
"You aren't even fighting me!" Ash yelled at the Pokémon. "You're just toying with us! Pikachu get in there and use Iron Tail!"
Pikachu jumped in, slamming down on the Pokémon, it was finally staying put.
"Let's see who you are." Ash said pulling out his phone.
'Impidimp, the Wily Pokemon. It sneaks into people's homes, stealing things and feasting on the negative energy of the frustrated occupants.'
"Impidimp, huh? Well you're about to be my next Pokémon. Pokeball go!" Ash said throwing it at the Pokémon.
'Ding. Ding. Ding'
'Ding.'
'Ding.'
All three trainer's captures succeeded, adding six new fairies to the team.
"Quite the capture young child." The elderly woman said approaching. "Not many manage to trap an Impidimp."
"Thanks, I think." Ash said, hopping down to greet her. "I'm Ash by the way."
"My name is Opal, I'm the current gym leader of Ballonela." Opal said.
"If it's not too much trouble, why are you out here?" Ash asked.
"Oh, I'm searching for young trainers just like you, to test." Opal said.
"Oh, I'm sorry I'm not a gym challenger." Ash admitted. "Besides I should really meet up with my friends."
"Nonsense, you don't need to be a gym challenger for my test, and I only need you." Opal said grabbing Ash by his overalls. "And might I say I love your outfit choice."
Try as he might, Ash was unable to escape this woman's grip. Pulling out his phone he sent out a quick S.O.S.
'Being taken to Ballonela, please meet me there, and maybe be ready for a quick exit.'