After days of travel, our heroes have finally arrived in Hulbury.
"We are here," Chloe said.
"Hulbury," Roan said.
"Okay, on to the Gym!" Ash said.
"Hold on, Ash," Roan said.
"What is it?" Ash asked.
"We just went a long way without a break, I think we've earned one now," Roan said.
"But," Ash began.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"What is it, Pikachu? "Ash asked.
Pikachu pointed at Roan and nodded his head. "Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"I think Pikachu agrees with me, too," Roan said.
"Okay, then," Ash said.
"I would like to have a break and make nice lunch for everyone, but I don't have much in my bag," Chloe said.
So we have to go shopping?" Roan stated.
"Bingo," Chloe said.
"Okay, then let's go right away," Roan said.
"So you have the energy to go grocery shopping right now, but not to go to the gym with me," Ash said.
"Ash, Chloe said.
"It has to happen if we want to eat, plus I can get chocolate at the supermarket," Roan said.
"Your brother gave you a big stash," Ash reminded Roan.
"Yes, but quite a few bars have already gone up during the trip, so I want some new ones," Roan said.
"Come on guys, the sooner we get groceries, the sooner we can have lunch and you can go to your Gym, Ash," Chloe said.
Ash agreed to the plan and the three headed towards the supermarket. After they did their shopping, the three trainers went to place where they could have lunch.
Ash took out the Pokéballs of Rookidee and Grookey. "Okay, guys, come on out!" he said and tossed the two Pokéballs into to air.
"Rookidee," Rookidee chirped.
"Grookey," Grookey chattered.
"Scorbunny and Toxel, you can come too," Roan said, as he summoned his Pokémon.
"Bunny, Scorbunny," Scorbunny squeaked.
"Toxel," Toxel hissed.
"All right then, Sobble," Chloe said, as she summoned her Sobble.
"Sobble," Sobble clicked.
"Okay, I'm going to start lunch and we can all use your help," Chloe said.
The Pokémon went to help prepare lunch. Half an hour later and Chloe had finished cooking and they all went to eat together
"As usual your cooking is great, Chloe," said Roan.
"Thank you," Chloe said.
"Did you guys see that huge line at that restaurant?" Ash asked.
"Yeah, it's a good thing we didn't decide to have lunch there or we'd still be standing there," Roan said.
"You don't have to stand in line if you got the water badge," Chloe said.
"How'd you know that?" Ash asked.
"I looked up some things about Hulbury," Chloe said.
"Well, if I win that gym badge later, I'm taking you to that restaurant," Ash said.
"Good idea," Roan said.
"But first we have to get back to work. Come on, guys, let's train," Ash said.
"You need to hold off on your training, It's your turn to do the dishes," Chloe said.
"Oh, yeah, that's right," Ash said.
After lunch Ash went to do the dishes and Roan and Chloe went to relax a bit while the Pokémon were playing. After he finished, Ash and his Pokémon went to train. A few hours later, Chloe decided it was time.
"Let's go guys, we still need to arrange a room at the Pokémon Center," Chloe said.
"All right, we've done enough training for today, Grookey, Rookidee return," Ash said, he grabbed their Pokéballs and he called them back.
"Sobble, Yamper, we're leaving," Chloe said. Sobble and Yamper came running toward Chloe, Chloe pulled out Sobble's Pokéball. "Sobble, return."
Sobble went back into his Pokéball, Roan called for Scorbunny and Toxel to come too, only Toxel came and Roan put him back into his Pokéball. Scorbunny was not back yet, Roan started looking for him and found him playing in him in the mud.
"Oh no," Roan said.
The mud-covered Scorbunny looked at Roan. "Bunny?" He squeaked.
"Scorbunny," Roan said.
"By the looks of it, Scorbunny had a good time again, Ash said, as he and Chloe walked over to Roan.
"You know this means a bath," Roan said.
"Bunny," Scorbunny squeaked, he didn't like the sound of that, he got up and started to run.
"Hey, Scorbunny," Roan said.
Roan began to run after Scorbunny, Ash and Chloe followed him.
In the meantime, Team Rocket had now arrived in Hulbury.
"Are you sure the twerps are here?" Jessie asked.
"I'm sure, here is a gym, the original twerp will be here to challenge the gym leader," James said.
"He's so predictable," Jessie said.
"But now the question is where are the twerps?" Meowth asked.
"I can't believe we lost them," Jessie said.
"We? You mean you," James pointed out.
"Yeah, if you weren't so worried about your hair, we wouldn't have lost track of them, Meowth said.
"What are you complaining about? We'll find the jerks eventually, We always do," Jessie said.
Scorbunny ran past Team Rocket, then she heard Roan's voice calling Scorbunny, the trio quickly hid behind some trash cans, Wobbuffet popped out his Pokéball and before he could let anything out, the trio cover his mouth. The evil trio saw the three trainers looked around.
"Scorbunny is fast," Roan said.
"Do you think he's here?" Ash asked.
"I think so," Chloe said.
"Then let's not stop and look for him," Roan said.
"Yes," Chloe said.
"Come," Ash said.
"Pika, pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"Why did you say that word at loud?" Ash asked.
"I know that wasn't smart of me," Roan said.
The three trainers continued their search for Scorbunny. Team Rocket came out from behind the trash cans.
"I told you we would find them," Jessie said.
"And it looks like they're looking for the little twerp's Scorbunny," Meowth said.
"Could that figure we just saw be his Scorbunny," James said.
"But it didn't look like him," Jessie said.
"It did if you imagine a Scorbunny covered in mud," James said.
"And unlike the twerps, we know which way the Scorbunny went," Meowth said.
"So let's go that way too and catch that Scorbunny," James said.
"I was thinking exactly the same thing," Jessie said.
"Let's go," Meowth said.
"Wobbuffet," Wobbuffet cried.
And as Team Rocket headed in the direction Scorbunny had gone, the three trainers arrived at the Pokémon Center.
"Would Scorbunny be here?" Roan asked.
"I'm not sure," Chloe said.
Nurse Joy walked up to the three friends. "Hello can I help you?" She asked.
"Nurse Joy have you perhaps seen a Scorbunny?" Roan asked.
"Who is all covered in mud," Ash said.
"Sorry I haven't seen a Scorbunny or one covered in mud," Nurse Joy said. "But I'll keep my eyes open."
"Thank you," Roan said.
"Is there anything else I can do for you?" Nurse Joy asked.
"We'd like a room please," Chloe said.
"There are plenty of rooms left, so you don't have to worry about that," Nurse Joy said.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy," Chloe said.
Nurse Joy gave a key to one of the rooms to Chloe. The three trainers already walked towards their room to put their things away. Ash wasn't really paying attention to where he was walking and bumped into a young man's wheelchair.
"I'm sorry," Ash said.
"It's okay," he said.
Ash then saw that the young man's leg was in a cast. "Did I hurt you?" He asked.
"I'm not in pain," he said.
"Thank goodness," Ash said in relief.
"Ash, pay attention next time," Cloe said.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"Sorry again," Ash said.
"It's all right," he said. "Hi, I'm Travis."
"My name is Ash and this is my buddy Pikachu," Ash said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"Hi I'm Chloe and this here Yamper," Chloe said.
"Yamp, Yamper," Yamper barked.
"I'm Roan," Roan said.
"Nice to meet you all," Travis said.
"Nice to meet you, too," Chloe said.
"You're not from around here," Travis said.
"No, We are traveling through Galar and now we are here so I can challenge the gym leader," Ash said.
"Nessa, watch out for her, she is a very strong trainer," Travis said.
"So am I," Ash said.
"So Travis have you lived here in Hulbury long?" Chloe asked.
"All my life," Travis said. "And now I live here."
"In the Pokémon Center?" Roan asked.
"It's temporary, the apartment I live in doesn't have an elevator and now that I have my leg. Nurse Joy was kind enough to let me stay here," Travis said.
"Travis, have you seen a Scorbunny?" Roan asked.
"A Scorbunny?" Travis asked.
"Yes, but he would be covered with mud," Roan said.
"No, not here," Travis said.
"Don't worry Roan, we'll find Scorbunny," Chloe said.
"Let's go back into town to look for him," Ash said.
"Good luck, I hope you find your Scorbunny," Travis said.
"Thank you," Roan said.
Scorbunny walked quietly through the city and looked around, suddenly he heard people shouting. Scorbunny looked behind him a saw three quick figures going into the alley, he also went into the alley and then he saw that the three figures were Nickit and they had food with them. There was one smaller Nickit, one with a heart pattern on its tail and one the one in the middle had a small cut in its left ear.
"Nickit," The Nickit with the cut in his ear howled.
"Bunny, Scorbunny," Scorbunny squeaked.
"Nick, Nickit," The smallest Nickit howled.
Scorbunny pointed to himself. "Bunny," he squeaked.
Team Rocket had found Scorbunny and saw him talking to the three Nickit.
"Meowth what are they saying?" Jessie asked.
"Scorbunny is trying to convince the Nickit that they can trust him," Meowth said.
"What about the Nickit?" James asked.
"They are just looking for food, Oh and now Scorbunny says he can help them, without them having to steal it," Meowth said.
"I suddenly have an idea," Jessie said.
"What is it Jessie?" James asked.
"We need to recruit that Nickit for Team Rocket," Jessie said.
"That's a good idea," James said.
"And I have another idea that will make it better," Meowth said.
"Tell us," Jessie said.
"We catch that twerp's Scorbunny and get the other twerps to give him for his Pikachu," Meowth said.
"Good plan," James said.
"Now we just have to make sure the twerps don't find Scorbunny," Jessie said.
James looked down the alley again. Then we have to find them first," he said.
"What do you mean?" Jessie asked.
"That Scorbunny and that Nickit are gone," James said.
"Find them," Meowth said.
Ash, Roan and Chloe walked through town again looking for Scorbunny and Ash was eating waffle.
"I can't believe you made us stop so you could get a waffle," Roan said.
"I was hungry," Ash said.
"We had lunch not too long ago," Roan said.
"I get hungry fast, Ash said.
Pikachu's ears went up. "Pika."
"What is it Pikachu?" Ash asked.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
Ash was about to take a bite of his waffle when it suddenly disappeared from his hand.
"My waffle," Ash said.
"Nickit," The Nickit with the cut howled.
"That Pokémon stole my waffle," Ash said.
"What kind of Pokémon is that?" Roan asked.
Then the three trainers heard the cry of the other Nickit and it ran in their direction along with Scorbunny, the four Pokémon ran into the alley and disappeared, The trainers ran to the alley they entered but they saw Pokémon.
"They are gone," Ash said.
"And so is Scorbunny," Roan said.
"Let's go back to the Pokémon Center," Chloe said.
And while Ash, Roan and Chloe went back to the Pokémon Center, the Nickit brought Scorbunny to their shelter and there Scorbunny saw a Thievul lying there and it looked weak and sick.
"The Nickit with the cut on his ear brought the Thievul the food. "Nickit," he howled.
"Thie..Thievul," Thievul howled.
"Nick, Nickit," the Nickit with the heart patterned tail howled.
"Thie...," Thievul barked and he passed out.
"Nickit!"
The three Nickit went to stand around the Thievul. Scorbunny walked over and helped them.
Ash and his friends were back at the Pokémon Center thinking what had happened.
"Why was Scorbunny with those Pokémon?" Roan asked.
"What kind of Pokémon were they?" Ash asked.
"They were Nickit," Chloe said.
"Nickit, let's see what the Pokédex says about that," Ash said, he grabbed his Rotom-Phone and opend up the Pokédex.
Nickit, the Fox Pokémon. A Dark type. Nickit likes to steal food that other Pokémon have found. It uses its fluffy tail to erase any footprints it leaves behind.
"You came across Nickit?" Nurse Joy asked as she walked up to the three trainers.
"Yes," Roan said.
"Oh no," Nurse Joy said.
"Nurse Joy what do you know about that Nickit?" Chloe asked.
"Those three Nickit have been doing a lot in the last two weeks, stealing food from the people," Nurse Joy said.
"But why?" Ash asked.
"I have no idea," Nurse Joy said.
"It's because of me," Travis said, he wheeled his wheelchair to the others.
"Travis," Nurse Joy said.
"The Nickit stealing food is because of me," Travis said.
"What makes you think that?" Ash asked.
"You see, I work in the restaurant and three months ago I found the Nickit behind the restaurant looking for food," Travis began.
"Were they stealing food then too?" Chloe asked.
"No, I saw they needed food, so every time my shift was over I took food for them and every time they had the food they went away," Travis said.
"Where to?" Ash asked.
"I don't know, I was hoping I could gain their trust and find out where they go, but then...," Travis began.
"You had the accident that broke your leg," Chloe said.
"Yeah, and those Nickit don't know that, of course, and they think that I abandoned them," Travis said.
"And that's why they started stealing food," Roan said.
"I have to do something," Travis said.
"But you can't do anything now," Ash said.
"I have an idea," Chloe said.
"What is it?" Roan asked.
"I'll explain it to you later," Chloe said. "Nurse Joy can I use the kitchen?"
"Sure," Nurse Joy said.
"Why do you need to use the kitchen?" Ash asked.
"For my plan, I need to cook something," Chloe said.
Ash and Roan had no idea what Chloe was up to, but they were confident she knew what she was doing.
A few moments later, the the three trainers were back in town, Chloe put down the food made and soon a the Nickit had grabbed the food and took off
"That Nickit runs off with the food," Ash said.
"Exactly according to my plan," Chloe said.
"What?" Roan asked.
"Yamper I need you now," Chloe said.
"Yamper," Yamper barked.
Chloe opened her purse and pulled out a small bag containing the same food that was stolen. Yamper smell this and see if you can catch the scent, she said.
"Yamper," Yamper barked.
Yamper smelled the food and then began to smell around him.
"I don't understand anything about your plan Chloe," Ash said.
"Yeah, neither do I," Roan said.
"That food that had been made was supposed to be stolen," Chloe said.
"But why?" Ash asked.
"I left some food and put it in my bag as you saw and now I let Yamper track down the scent," Chloe explained.
"And that way we can find out where those Nickit are," Ash said.
"Exactly," Chloe said.
"And where those Nickit are, that's were Scorbunny will be," Roan said.
"Yamp, Yamper," Yamper barked.
"Did you find the scent, Yamper?" Chloe asked.
"Yamper nodded his head. "Yamper," he barked.
"Keep holding that scent and take us there Yamper," Chloe said.
"Yamper," Yamper barked.
Yamper started walking, Chloe and the boys trailing behind him. After a while he stopped walking and came to an alley and then the three trainers saw Scorbunny, the three Nickit and the Thievul.
"We found them," Ash said.
"Good job Yamper," Chloe said.
"Yamper," Yamper barked.
"See what the Pokédex says about that Pokémon over there," Roan said, the grabbed his phone to see what the Pokédex could find out.
Thievul, the Fox Pokémon. A Dark type. Thievul use their flexible bodies and sharp claws to steal food.
"Those three are working for that Thievul and stealing for him," Roan said.
"I don't think so," Ash said.
"Then what do you think?" Roan said.
"That Thievul looks sick, I think they do steal the food for it so it can gain strength," Ash said.
"That must be it," Chloe said.
"And Scorbunny helped them with that," Roan said.
"Maybe we can help too," Chloe said.
"Yeah," Ash said.
The three trainers walked carefully toward the Nickit and Thievul, The three Nickit noticed and were ready to attack. Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder.
"Pika, Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"Nickit," The Nickit with the cut howled.
Scorbunny ran toward the Pokémon and stood in front of Pikachu. "Scorbunny," he squeaked.
"Nick," the smallest Nickit howled.
"Scor, Scorbunny," Scorbunny squeaked.
"I can help your friend, please let me help him," Chloe said.
"Bunny," Scorbunny squeaked.
The Nickit with his cut in his ear looked at Chloe, then he turned to the other Nickit and nodded his head. The three Nickit stepped aside, Chloe walked over to the Thievul and knelt beside him and examined him.
"He has a high fever," Chloe said.
"Do you have anything that can help him?" Roan asked.
"I still have some berries in my bag, but that's not enough," Chloe said.
"If that's not enough we need professional help," Roan said.
"We have to take him to the Pokémon Center," Ash said.
"It's his only chance to get better," Chloe said.
Pikachu walked toward the three Nickit. "Pika, Pika," he squeaked.
"Nickit," The smallest Nickit howled.
"Pika, Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"Nickit," The Nickit with the cut howled, as he nodded his head.
4 mechanical hands reached out and grabbed Scorbunny and the three Nickit.
"No, Scorbunny!" Roan shouted.
"The Nickit!" Ash said.
"Pika!" Pikachu squeaked.
"Oh no!" Chloe said.
Team Rocket's balloon appeared above the alley and Scorbunny and the Nickit were in a cage and Team Rocket let out their evil laughter.
"Prepare for trouble!" Jessie said.
"And make it double!" James said.
"To protect the world from devastation!" Jessie said.
"To unite all people within our nation!" James said.
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!" Jessie said.
"To extend our reach to the stars above!" James said.
"Jessie!" Jessie said.
"And James!" James said.
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!" Jessie said.
"Surrender now or prepare for a fight!" James said.
"Meowth! That's right!" Meowth said.
"Wobbuffet!" Cried Wobbuffet.
"Team Rocket!" Ash said.
"Why am I not surprised," Chloe said.
"Give my Scorbunny back now!" Roan demanded.
"Oh we will give your Scorbunny back on one condition," Jessie said.
"Which is?" Ash asked.
"Your Pikachu, We return his Scorbunny to him in exchange for your Pikachu," Jessie said.
"What?" Ash said.
"Don't be so selfish," Meowth said.
"Yeah, you're a bad friend now," James said.
"And then you call us evil," Jessie said.
"And the Nickit, what do you want for the Nickit?" Chloe asked.
"The will be part of our team," James said.
"I'll tell you one thing, That's not gonna happen, Neither of those two things," Ash said.
"What can we do?" Roan asked.
"Thievul," Thievul howled.
Ash, Chloe and Roan turned and saw the Thievul standing behind them.
"He is standing up," Roan said.
"What is he going to do?" Chloe asked.
"I think he's going to help his friends," Ash said.
With what little strength the Thievul had left he managed to jump from wall to wall until he jumped high and used NIGHT SLASH to break the cage, Scorbunny and the Nickit fell down.
"Oh no," Team Rocket yelled.
"Thievul," Thievul howled as he caught one of the Nickit.
"I've got you!" Ash said as he caught one of the Nickit.
"Got you!" Chloe said, as she too caught one of the Nickit,
"Scorbunny!" Roan said as he caught Scorbunny. "You are safe"
"Bunny," Scorbunny squeaked.
The Thievul landed safely back on the ground and set the Nickit down and the other two Nickit walked toward them and looked happy. Team Rocket was a lot less happy and felt the bump hanging.
"This is not good," Jessie said.
"Don't have to say that again," Meowth said.
"I know what time it is!" James said.
"It's time for you guys to pay again Team Rocket!" Ash said.
Roan grabbed Toxel's Pokéball. "Toxel, let's go," he said, as he summoned Toxel.
"Toxel," Toxel hissed.
"Are you ready?" Ash asked his friends.
"You bet, Chloe said.
"Let's do it, Roan said.
"Pikachu use THUNDERBOLT!" Ash commanded.
"Yamper use NUZZLE!" Chloe commanded.
"You too Toxel, use NUZZLE!" Roan commanded.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu squeaked.
"Yamper!" Yamper barked.
"Toxel!" Toxel hissed.
The three Electric attacks became one strong Electric attack and hit Team Rocket's balloon, which exploded and Team Rocket blasted away.
"I knew that is going to be this time," James said.
"You don't have to tell me, because I already knew," Meowth said.
"Know what else I already knew?" Jessie said.
"That we'd blast off again?" James guessed.
"Yeah," Jessie said.
"And I already knew that, too," Meowth said.
"We're blasting off again!" Team Rocket screamed.
"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet cried.
Team Rocket disappeared further into the air. Scorbunny jumped into Roan arms and hugged him. Then he realized he had left a large mud stain on Roan's clothes.
"Scorbunny," Scorbunny squeaked.
"It's okay, Scorbunny, I'm just glad you're back," Roan said.
"Bunny," Scorbunny squeaked.
But we have to go get you clean," Roan said.
Scorbunny looked up and nodded his head. "Scorbunny," he squeaked.
"Thievul," Thievul howled, he fell to the ground and lost his consciousness
Chloe went over to Thievul and examined him. "He should go to the Pokémon Center now," she said.
"Let's go," Ash said.
Ash and Roan together gently lifted the Thievul and went with Chloe and the three Nickit to the Pokémon Centrum. When they got there, Nurse Joy went right to work helping the Thievul. And Travis was with the three Nickit.
"Hey guys," Travis said.
"Nickit," The Nickit with the cut howled.
"I know you guys are mad at me," Travis said.
"Nickit," The Nickit with the heart patterned tail howled.
"I really wanted to help you guys, but then this happened. Believe me, I'm still your friend," Travis said.
The three Nickit looked at each other, one smile appeared on their faces and they jumped onto Travis' lap and began to lick him. A few moments later, Nurse Joy returned.
"Thievul is going to be fine," Nurse said.
"That's great news," Chloe said.
"He needs to rest and get well and then he'll be fine," Nurse Joy said.
"Thank you for your help Nurse Joy," Ash said.
"No problem," Nurse Joy said.
"Nickit I have a question for you?"
"Nickit."
"Would you come with me?" Travis asked.
The three Nickit looked at each other and nodded their heads happily.
"Scorbunny I know you're not going to like this, but you know what it's time for now," Roan said.
"Scorbunny," Scorbunny squeaked.
"Hey you're not the only one, after today I need a bath too," Roan said.
Everyone laughed with Roan. Roan picked up Scorbunny and together they walked toward the washroom.
After busy day looking for Scorbunny our heroes succeeded, not only that but they helped the Nickit find their friendship with Travis again.