This story serves as a companion piece to my previous rewrite of Betrayed, Bothered and Beleaguered and a slightly more proper reboot, combining elements of the episode itself and the episode Chikorita's Big Upset. This story likewise doesn't completely follow the current Pokemon Journeys continuity in several respects, such as Ash not working as the professor's assistant and Goh and Chloe not appearing at all. Please enjoy!

All references made are property of their original owners.

It's a lovely day in Galar. In the middle of a grassy fiend on the outskirts of town, Ash Ketchum and his Riolu are battling a trainer named Tony with an Electabuzz; from a park bench nearby, Ash's faithful Pikachu excitedly watches the match. "Okay, Electabuzz," Tony calls out. "Let's try a Thunder Punch."

"Tah-buzz!" the Electric Pokemon obligingly replies as he dashes forward with his fists bared. "Riolu," Ash calls out. "Dodge it and use Force Palm!"

"Ri!" Riolu replies as he quickly hops out of reach, then delivers a swift palm thrust to the Electabuzz's nose. "Buzz!" The Electabuzz winces, hopping backwards and rubbing his sore nose. "Don't give up, Electabuzz," Tony calls out. "Let's give 'em a Thunder Wave."

"Elec-ta-buzz!" the Electric Pokemon cries out as he shoots a reverberating wave of electricity from his antennas, hitting Riolu head on. "RIII!" The little blue Pokemon collapses to the ground, his body crackling with electricity. Seeing an opening, Tony calls, "Now, Electabuzz, let's try an Electro Ball!"

"Tah-buzz!" the Electabuzz obliges, gathering up electrical energy. Riolu tries to stand, but his body is too stiff; fearing for his safety, Ash says, "It may not be safe to continue this battle, Riolu, perhaps we'll let Pikachu finish." The small blue Pokemon shoots him a sharp glare. "Ri!"(No!)

"But Riolu-" Ash barely has time to finish before Riolu is hit with the Electro Ball and sent sprawling backwards. Gasping, Ash takes Riolu's Pokeball from his pocket and tries to recall him; noticing this, Riolu leaps out of the way, ignoring the stiffness in his muscles, and charges straight toward the Electabuzz. Panicking, Ash makes several more attempts to recall Riolu but the small blue Pokemon dodges every one. "B-buzz?!" The Electabuzz stammers, beginning to look very unnerved. Tony seems just as disconcerted but quickly swallows his emotions, knowing he needs to act quickly. "Don't let him psyche you out, Electabuzz, try a Thunderbolt!"

"Tah-buzz." the Electric Pokemon replies, a bit less enthusiastically that before, as he begins to charge the attack up; Ash is about to say something when Riolu quickly initiates a Vacuum Wave, hitting the Electabuzz squarely in his ample belly and sending him sprawling backwards onto the ground, knocking him out. Ash stares blankly, barely believing his eyes, as Riolu dusts off his paws, looking very confident. "Ri! Riolu ri."(There! That's that.)

As he recalls his Electabuzz, Tony glares at Ash. "Now, see here, kid, you need to keep that Riolu under control!"

"I-I-I'm very sorry, sir," the young boy stammers. "I tried to, but he wouldn't listen."

"Well, then, you'll have to get him to listen!" Tony huffs as he storms off. Feeling both regretful over offending Tony and annoyed for being blamed for the situation, Ash traipses up to Riolu, takes a Paralyze Heal from his backpack and gently sprays him with it. "Riolu, what's gotten into you? Why wouldn't you listen to me?"

"Ri riolu riolu ri, ri riolu ri riolu ri!"(It's your own fault, you wouldn't let me finish the battle!) Riolu huffs indignantly. "But Riolu," Ash replies. "It was for your own safety." Riolu huffs and turns away. "Riolu ri ri riolu ri."(You're always treating me like a baby.) A concerned look crosses the young boy's face. "Riolu..." From nearby, an equally worried Pikachu looks on, wondering what to do. "Pi..."

A few moments later, Ash gathers his team to train before the next match; he silently felt very excited, partly in anticipation for the next tournament battle and partly because his mother and his good friends Misty and Brock were coming for a visit that evening. "Okay guys, we've got some time before our friends arrive. Pikachu, you'll be training with Farfetch'd, and Gengar, you'll be training with Dragonite."

"Pika!" "Far!" "Gen!" "Draa!"(Certainly!) the four reply with an obliging nod. Riolu then traipses up to Ash. "Riolu ri ri?"(What about me?)

"Riolu, you and I already trained this morning."

"Ri...Ri..."(But...but...)

"We'll train some more later," Ash replies. "For now, it's best if you get some good rest; you've battled pretty hard today."

"Hmph." the small blue Pokemon grumbles as he stomps over to a bench, crosses his arms and scowls; the group exchange concerned and perplexed looks.