Chapter 4: Galar, Ho!

The sun rose slowly over Vermillion City, and Ash and Goh were sound asleep. After everything yesterday, between exploring the city and the events surrounding his now Ivysaur, Ash was looking forward to a good 10 hours of sleep. Unfortunately, life had other plans as Chloe threw open the door to their room.

"Are you two planning on sleeping all day! Come on, rise and shine!"

Ash and Goh fell out of their bunks, startled awake and none too happy about the wake up call.

"Chloe! Haven't you heard of knocking?"

"Its 10 o'clock! Besides, dad has an assignment for you two and wants to see you in the lab."

Groaning, Ash and Goh got dressed and walked into the main room. Lillie was already there, Snowy in her lap.

"Morning, you two. Sleep well?"

Goh glared at Chloe, you just glared right back.

"We were."

"Ah well, no use spending all day in bed! Anyway, check this out."

Walking over to the computer, he brought up several news articles on the monitor. Ash and Goh scanned them, and their eyes widened in shock.

"Pokemon growing giant? For real?"

"It seems so, yes. All of these events have been shown taking place in the Galar Region. I've contacted my colleague Professor Magnolia, the regional professor, and she's agreed to share with me all that she knows. But I promised my wife I'd spend the day with her, so..."

"So you want us to go instead?"

Professor Cerise nodded, handing them three plane tickets.

"Once you reach Wyndon, take the train to Wedgehurtst. Her lab is just on the outskirts of town."

"Got it. I'll go pack my things!"

Goh left, leaving Ash and Lillie alone in the lab.

"Galar, huh? Have you ever been there?"

"Only once, when mother had a business trip. I didn't get to see much of it, though. What about you?"

"No, but I've heard of it. I've heard the league's supposed to be really tough, and you have to be invited to participate. It'll be exciting to go somewhere new, huh buddy?"

"Pika!"

Lillie smiled. Ash always said things with such confidence.

"I'd better get ready myself. Chloe, are you coming?"

"Are you kidding? I have to get ready for school. You guys have fun, though."

A few hours later, the trio had landed in Wyndon, the main hub of the Galar Region. Ash took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he felt the wind blow through his hair.

"You guys smell that?"

"No, what is it?"

"That's the smell of new adventure!"

Goh and Lillie just rolled their eyes while they walked around the city.

"We have an hour until our train leaves for Wedgehurst. What do you guys want to do?"

Before Ash could answer, a delicious smell hit his nose. Almost as if in a trance, he glided over to a nearby bakery, much to his companion's amusement.

"Excuse me sir, what is that delicious smell?"

"Huh? Ah, you must mean the scones I just pulled out of the oven! You have fine taste, my friend."

"Sounds great! I'll take three, please!"

After paying for the delicious treats, Ash walked back out to his friends.

"I should've known you would've gone for food first."

"Hey, relax! I bought some for all of us."

But before the three could dig in, the scones were shot out of their hands by several small stones. Before the scones could hit the ground, though, three small shapes darted past them and scooped them off before retreating into an alleyway.

"Hey, get back here!"

They were about to chase after them, only to be kicked off their feet by an unseen force. They looked up just in time to see a fourth figure dart into the same alley as the others.

"What was that, some new Pokemon?"

"I don't know, but there's only one way to find out."

The three ran into the alley, ready to get to the bottom of things.

"Alright, what's the big idea...huh?"

To their surprise, instead of a huge pack of Pokemon ready to steal all their belongings, there were only 4. Three of them were fox like creatures, while the other resembled a rabbit of some sort. When they saw the humans approaching, the three kits backed away in fear, while the other one leapt to his feet to defend them, but it was clear from his malnourished body he didn't have what it would take. Ash raised his hands to show he meant no harm.

"Hey, its cool, I get it. You're just hungry. You can keep the food, we don't want any trouble."

Goh and Lillie followed Ash's motions, and the Pokemon relented. While Goh and Lillie shared some food with them, Ash took out his Rotomphone and scanned them.

"Nickit, the Fox Pokemon. Aided by the soft pads on its feet, it silently raids the food stores of other Pokemon. It survives off its ill gotten gains."

"Scorbunny, the rabbit Pokemon. A warm up of running around gets fire energy coursing through this Pokemon's body. Once that happens, it is ready to fight at full power."

"Woah, so cool!"

Goh smiled as Scorbunny broke apart his sandwich and gave a bit of it to each of his friends, making sure they all got an equal portion before he touched his.

"So, what happened to your guys' parents?"

Scorbunny turned downcast, tears began welling up in his eyes.

"Ah man, I'm sorry. Still, it looks like you have it pretty good with these guys here."

Scorbunny smiled, and nodded.

"I don't know what its like to lose a parent, but I can relate in other ways. My parents are away so often that sometimes it feels like they don't exist, but families more than just who you share blood with. Chloe and her family has always felt like family to me just as much as they do. And I can tell you feel the same way about your friends."

Goh then took out a carrot and offered it to the little bunny. Scorbunny grinned madly, and happily accepted, biting off the end and chomping at it gleefully, making Goh smile.

"Hey Goh, we need to get going! The train is leaving in a few minutes!"

"Coming! See ya around, Scorbunny."

Goh picked up his bag, left some extra food for them, and took off, Scorbunny watching him leave. A plan was forming in his mind, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to go through with it...

A few minutes later, Ash, Goh, and Lillie had found their seats on the train and watched as it pulled out of the station.

"Wedgehurst, here we come!"

Unbeknownst to them, Scorbunny had snuck onto the platform. Checking back at his family, they nodded in approval of what he was doing. Nodding back, he ran forward, hopping into the last car just as it left the station.

Scorbunny had decided. It was time to see the world, and Goh would be his partner if it was the last thing he did.