Chapter 1: Home on the Range.

The trio set out early the next morning for Paniola Ranch, only stopping briefly in Paniola Town to rest. Ilima was reading a brochure on their destination.

"According to the brochure, Paniola Ranch breeds and raises the best ride Pokémon in the Alola Region, and their nursery is top notch."

Lillie's face lit up.

"Hey do you think that they could take a look at my egg? Its going to hatch soon, I can feel it."

"I don't see why not."

"Great, then lets go! I cant wait to check out all of the cool Pokémon."

"Pika!"

And Ash sprinted off, only to return a minute later looking confused.

"Uh, which direction is Paniola Ranch!"

Lillie and Ilima fell right out of their seats.

After checking Rotom's map function, the group set off for their destination. it wasn't long before they came to an old fashioned ranch. A wooden sign hung overhead reading "Paniola Ranch."

"Well looks like this is-woah."

Even from the entrance they could see how expansive the place was. Wide, open fields stretched out as far as the eye could see, wild Tauro stampeding through. Ranchers could be seen moving about, performing tasks from grooming Stoutland to milking Miltank. The trio was thoroughly impressed.

"Wow, this place is amazing!"

"You can say that again."

"Pika!"

Just then, a burly farmer walked up to them.

"Howdy folks, what can I do for you?"

"We were wondering if we could possibly have a tour of your ranch?"

"Oh, and I have a Pokémon egg I'd like to have examined, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, please?"

The rancher gave a hearty laugh.

"Why sure. Come on, we'll start at the nursery."

The three followed him, taking in everything he said with vapid interest.

"Oh, my names John by the way. I own this here ranch."

"You sure run an impressive business. But don't you ever get overworked."

"Oh, not often. We have plenty of ranchers here to take care of our Pokémon. And right up ahead you'll see our nursery, where we hold and care for Pokémon eggs of all sorts."

The building was a medium sized wooden shack, with a small field outback where baby Pokémon frolicked. Ash, Lillie, and Ilima's eyes went wide at the sight once John opened the door. Rows and rows of Pokémon eggs filled the shelves, leaving just enough room for them to enter the small examination room at the back, where Ash found a very familiar face checking out Mallow's Steenee.

"Good news, your Yungoos is perfectly healthy. Just keep doing what you've been doing."

"Thank you!"

"Brock, is that you?"

Brock's face broke out into a smile as he high fived Ash.

"Ash, long time no see! Congrats on getting second place in Kalos, I watched the whole thing."

"Pika!"

"Heh heh, good to see you too, Pikachu."

Pikachu gave a content "Chu" as Brock rubbed his head.

"So what brings you to Alola?"

"Extra credit for school, and I figured working at the nursery here might give me some good experience. I've only been here for about a month, but Im learning a lot."

Lillie walked up, confused.

"Wait, you two know each other?"

"Yeah, Brock and I go back. He traveled with me through Kanto all the way to Sinnoh. So Brock, how's school?"

"Pretty good. I should be ready to graduate in a few years. What say you, me, and Misty go on a trip sometime, for old times sake?"

Ash was about to answer when sounds of a large scuffle were heard outside. The six rushed out to see a Midnight form Lycanroc battling a Bewear, each one swiping at eachother in an attempt to show dominance.

"Lycanrock, Bewear, stop this now!"

The two ignored John continuing their stalemate with no concern for their surroundings. Ash and his friends could only stare on in horror.

"What's going on? Why are they fighting each other?"

John clenched his fists in anger.

"These two are always fighting over territory, and unfortunately they like to use my ranch as a battlegroud. I've tried to get them to see sense, but nothing has worked."

Then, to Ash's horror, he saw a little Rockruff at its Mother's feet, barking frantically and trying to get her to stop. But the Lycanroc paid him no mind, and in her blind range sent her son flying, knocking him out with a pitiful wimper. This made Ash lose it completely.

"EENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!"

This got the two's attention, and they stopped brawling to stare in horror at what their brawl. Ash stormed over to the fallen Rockruff.

"Are you two so caught up in your own petty feud that you'll let your own children get hurt just to one up each other? Just look at him."

Rockruff let out a small whimper, horrified by what it had done. Bewear could only stare silently, knowing it was equally to blame. Ash brought him over to Brock.

"Can you help him, Brock?"

"Let me take him. It looks bad, but it might not be."

Ash handed the injured Pokémon over to Brock, who rushed it back inside.

Two hours passed with nothing changing. Ash helped Brock as best he could, while Lillie and Ilima stayed outside. Lycanroc and Bewear stood off to the side and far apart from each other, still horrified by what they had done. After what seemed like ages, Brock and Ash opened the door, everyone turning to them expectantly. The two of the smiled wide.

"Why don't you see for yourself?"

The Rockruff leapt out of the door, good as new and energetic as ever. It ran over to his mother, playfully running along her feet. Overjoyed to see her son healthy, the Lycanroc picked up its child, licking his face as she cradled it.

"Now I hope you two have learned to not let your feud get out of hand. What do you say, friends?"

The two adult Pokémon turned to each other, neither one doing anything for a minute. At last, Lycanroc set down her son and extended a claw to Bewear, who instead pulled her into a bear hug. Although surprised at first, the Lycanroc laughed and returned it. Brock turned to his assistant.

"Well Ash, another feud between Pokémon settled. You sure have a way of bringing people and Pokémon together, that's for sure."

"What can I say, all in a days work."

Just then, John came running out.

"Lillie, your egg is hatching!"

"Oh my!"

All five humans ran inside to find Lillie's egg glowing. Before their very eyes, the glow expanded, and when it died down an unusual looking Vulpix sat curled up in a ball on the table.

"Woah, an Alolan Vulpix!"

"She's so cute!"

The Vulpix opened her eyes and saw Lillie. Seeing her as its mother, she walked over and nuzzled against her legs. Smiling, Lillie picked up the baby Vulpix and cuddled it.

"I think I'll name you Snowy."

Snowy let out a content "Vul". Rotom saw his opportunity to record new data and flew right in front of her, startling her.

"Ooooh, new data to collect. Zzzzzt, lets see, Vulpix, the fox Pokémon, Alola variant, an ice type. Vulpix has white fur and was discovered on Mount Lanakila. Its breath can reach a temperature of 60 below zero, freezing anything it touches."

Scared by the unknow device, Snowy began to cry, icicles falling to the floor in spades as Lillie tried to calm her down. Once Lillie calmed her down, she glared at Rotom.

"Rotom, she was just hatched! You can't just shove yourself in her face like that. There there, Snowy, its alright."

"Zzzzzt, its not my fault, I'm not great with kids. I'm a Pokedex, not a babysitter."

After staying the night at John's insistence, Ash and his friends were ready to leave the next morning, Snowly sleeping soundly in Lillie's arms.

"Take care, Ash. Good luck on your Trials, you know I'm behind you 100 percent of the way."

"Thanks Brock, it was great to see you again. Good luck in school."

Off to the side, Lycanroc, Bewear, and Rockruff watched the emotional goodbye. Rockruff watched in envy, wanting to join them on their journey. Lycanroc, seeing her son's desire, nodded her head in blessing. Rockruff nuzzled her goodbye before yelping, causing Ash and crew to stop in their tracks.

"What is it, Rockruff?"

"I think he wants to join your team, Ash."

"Is that really true, Rockruff?"

Rockruff barked in confirmation, nodding determinately. Ash smiled broadly and tapped a Pokeball to its forehead, capturing him in bright glow. The ball didn't even shake, blinking immediately to confirm its successs. Ash smile grew wider as he did a victory pose.

"Alright, I just caught a Rockruff!

"Pika Pika!"

With two new friends added to their group, Ash and his pals set off for their next adventure.