After becoming the champion of Alola, Ash and his loyal starter got used to the rhythm of travelling between Alola and Kanto. Until Pikachu rejected to leave. Ash could fathom why Lycanroc, Incineroar and Rowlet wanted to stay in Alola - it was their home - but he couldn't understand why Pikachu would want to stay in Alola. The first time, Ash just rolled with it. The second time this happaned, Ash was a bit irritated, but the third time, Ash was just frustrated.

So he decided to stay in Alola for longer than normally until he finds out what is going on with his starter. After a month in Alola, Ash noted the second weird behavior of Pikacu. The littl stinker is sneaking out at night!

And Ash had no idea why. Was he a bad trainer? Had Pikachu enough from him? As he confided these worries into Lilie and Hau, both said, "You're an idiot, Ash! You're a great trainer!"

Then Lilie had the idea to just follow Pikachu to see what he does. Hau had to point out, "That sounds like a good way to loose Pikachu's trust!" But Ash was desperate to figure out what is going on with his starter, so they did just that. Well, Ash did.

So one night, when Pikachu snuck out, Ash followed him. With Lycanroc's help, as he has a great nose to track Pikachu's scent. So they followed Ash into the jungle of Alola, until they reached a tree with a hole. In there was Pikachu and a - rather tiny - Alolan Raichu.

"Pikachu?", said Ash, surprised. Pikachu looked to his trainer surprised and stod over the Raichu. "Do you have a girlfriend or what?"

"Pika..." Pikachu lowered his ears/.

Ash then reached to pet the Raichu. "She is adorable. But why do you two hide from me?" Then the Raichu jumpd into his arms. "Oh?" Pikachu then followed suit. "Let's get back, it is cold out here." Despite Alola being the hotest region.

At the professor's house, Ash noted the professors were awake. Professor Burnet asked worried, "Where have you been?"

"I was looking for Pikachu!", explained Ash. "Turns out he has a mate! This Raichu!"

Over the next few days, Raichu hung out a lot with Ash. Meaning she used him as a pillow a lot. To the point she was following him around. At first, Ash thought she just liked to lazy around him for his warmth... but then he and Hau had a little mock battle. When he called for Pikachu, she jumped onto the field and Pikachu stayed behind.

"Aw! She is a bossy diva to her mate!", laughed Hau.

Then, that motivation to battle was gone. Ash realized why when he found a clutch of eggs in his bed. "I'm not going to complain..."

A few weeks later, Ash woke up to a bunch of Pichu's just jumping on him. The parents just dozed on the bed while Ash considered to nickname the Pichu's. You have to differentiate six Pichu's somehow, right?