Ash and Pikachu are embarking on a new journey through the Galar region. They have met a new friend named Roan and together they are now on their way to Motostoke with him, so Ash can have a gym fight there.
Night had already fallen and our heroes decided to stop walking and rest. Ash and Roan took out their sleeping bags and laid them down on the ground, right next to the fire Ash had made earlier. The two boys grabbed sandwiches from their bags and Ash also grabbed some Pokémon food from his bag and gave it to Pikachu.
"These are tasty sandwiches," Ash said.
"Yes, delicious even though they are from the Pokémon Center," Roan said.
"The Poké Center often has good food," Ash replied.
"I didn't know that," Roan said.
"Do you like your food, Pikachu?" Ash asked.
"Chaa," Pikachu squeaked.
"That's nice to hear," Ash said. Ash turned to Roan. "Doesn't Scorbunny have to eat anything?"
"Now that you mention it, Scorbunny must be hungry," Roan said.
"Take it out of its Pokéball and give it some food, Ash said.
Roan grabbed Scorbunny's Pokéball and threw it up. "Come on out Scorbunny," Roan said.
Scorbunny appeared out of the Pokéball and immediately jumped up and down happily.
"Scorbunny are you hungry? I have some food for you," Roan said.
"Scorbunny," Scorbunny squeaked and it immediately began eating the food.
"I think you really like this," Roan said.
"Scor," Scorbunny squeaked with a mood full of food
A few seconds later and Scorbunny had finished eating and the fire Pokémon was lying on its back with a full belly.
"That one eats fast," Roan stated.
"I don't think I've ever seen a Pokémon eat so fast, especially a small one like Scorbunny," Ash said.
"Urp," burped Scorbunny
"And he is a loud burper too," Ash said.
"Scor..," squeaked Scorbunny.
Scorbunny had fallen asleep. Ash, Roan and Pikachu eat their food open and then went to sleep as well.
Pikachu had fallen asleep pretty quickly, Ash and Roan were both still awake and staring at the starry sky.
"Ash are you asleep yet?" Roan asked.
"No, not yet," Ash replied.
"I can't sleep," Roan said.
"It's probably because it's your first night, I had the same thing when I started my Pokémon journey and it happens to me every time I travel in a new region," Ash said.
"Can I ask you something?" Roan asked.
"Sure, go ahead," Ash replied.
"What exactly is your goal in life?" Roan asked.
"My goal is to become a Pokémon Master," Ash said.
"And how long have you known that you want to become a Pokémon Master?" Roan asked.
"I've known that since I was really little," Ash said.
"I always thought my goal was to take over the gym," Roan said.
"And you don't think that anymore?" Ash asked.
"I challenged my brother to a fight and lost badly," Roan said.
"But Scorbunny is your first Pokémon, right? Then how did you manage to have a fight?" Ash asked.
"I used Pokémon from gym, the once that were trained by my brother," Roan said.
"I'm sorry you lost," Ash said.
"Raihan is a very strong and skilled trainer, so that makes him a good gym leader," Roan said.
"Still, losing gives a bad feeling," Ash said.
"Maybe it's better that I lost," Roan said.
"What makes you think that?" Ash asked.
"Can you keep a secret?" Roan asked.
"Yes, I can," Ash replied.
"The Galar region is getting its first Elite Four and my brother has been asked to join," Roan said.
"Wow, that's quite an honor, I guess, Ash said.
"Me too. And that's why I thought I'd take over the gym from Raihan. I was so arrogant as to think I had the right," Roan said.
"And what exactly is the reason you're making this journey?" Ash asked.
"It was Raihan's idea, so that I would find out what kind of trainer I want to become," Roan answered.
"Think you'd like to enter the Galar League and compete in gym battles?" Ash asked.
"I don't know yet," Roan said.
"I think this journey can help you, I've learned a lot from the journeys I've been on," Ash said.
"I hope so," Roan said.
"Let's try and get some sleep or we won't have enough energy to continue tomorrow," suggested Ash.
"Yes, let's," Roan said.
Roan closed his eyes and fell asleep rather quickly. Ash looked up at the stars and closed his eyes. Ash fell asleep and began to dream about journeys he has had and the adventures he has had with all his friends he has met.
The next day, Pikachu and Scorbunny were awake earlier than their trainers and were playing happily together. Not much later, Ash and Roan also woke up.
"Good morning," Ash said.
"Good morning to you too," Roan said.
"Did you get any sleep at all?" Ash asked.
"Yes, I slept fine actually," Roan said. "And you?"
"I slept well, too," Ash said.
"They get along very well," Roan said.
"That's good to see," Ash said.
"Wanna have some breakfast?" Roan asked.
"Good idea, Because I'm hungry like a Munchlax," Ash said.
Roan laughed at Ash's comment and took the sandwiches out of his bag and gave one to Scorbunny.
After breakfast, Ash and Roan packed their things. Roan called Scorbunny back to its Pokéball.
"Shouldn't Pikachu be in his Pokéball?" Roan asked, seeing that Pikachu wasn't called back yet.
"No, Pikachu likes it much better sitting here with me on my shoulder," Ash replied.
"I thought being in a Pokéball didn't matter to Pokémon," Roan said.
"Every Pokémon is different Roan and it's up to us as trainers to figure out what they like and don't like," Ash said.
Roan looked at Scorbunny's Pokéball. "I'm wondering what Scorbunny likes and doesn't like," Roan said.
"You'll find out. You've only just met each other, so Scorbunny needs to find out who you are too," Ash said.
Roan put away Scorbunny's Pokéball and he and Ash began to walk on with their journey.
But unfortunately for our heroes, they didn't realize that Team Rocket was right behind them with their balloon.
"So, so it looks like our twerp has made a new twerp friend," Meowth said.
"What kind of Pokémon did he have with him?" Jessie asked.
"Let me look that up," James said.
James grabbed his search machine and looked up what kind of Pokémon Roan had.
"The Pokémon that boy has is called Scorbunny and that is the fire starter of the Galar Region," James read from his search machine.
"So the newest twerp," Jessie began.
"Is a new trainer," Meowth finished.
"He has to be," said James.
"We can handle that one, he's a rookie like that can never compete with an experienced Team Rocket team like us," Jessie said.
'Get the hand ready, we're gonna grab ourselves a Pikachu," Meowth said.
Ash and Roan had been walking unsuspectingly for half an hour. Then a mechanical hand appeared and grabbed Pikachu from Ash's shoulder.
"PIKA!" Pikachu cried.
"Pikachu!" Shouted Ash.
"What's happening!?" Roan asked.
Ash didn't have time to answer, because the only thing to hear was the evil laughter of Team Rocket.
"Oh no not you guys again," Ash said.
"Prepare for trouble, a blast from the past," Jessie said.
"And make it double, while you look aghast," James said.
"To protect the world from devastation," Jessie said.
"To unite all people with in our nation," James said.
"To denounce the evils of truth and love," Jessie said.
"To extend our reach to the starts above," James said.
"Jessie," Jessie said.
"And James," James said.
"Team Rocket blasts of with the speed of light," Jessie said.
"Surrender now or prepare for a fight," James said.
"Meowth that's right," Meowth said.
"Wobbuffet," Wobbuffet said.
"Who are you?" Roan asked, making Team Rocket collapse, because he didn't know who they are.
"Hey new twerp haven't you ever learned to listen properly?" A annoyed Meowth asked.
'Whoa a talking Meowth! That's bizarre," Roan said.
"I'd prefer to call it special and...," Meowth began, but Jessie smacked him on the head to stop him from talking.
"We don't have time this," Jessie said.
"Sorry, Jessie," Meowth said.
"Listen up you new twerp! We're Team Rocket, the most dangerous criminal group around," James said.
"Well here in the Galar Region I never heard of you," Roan said.
"Well, then you've heard of us now!" Jessie said.
"And you won't ever forget!" James said.
"Ash, we are these morons?" Roan asked.
"This is Team Rocket, a bunch of pesky thieves always trying to steal from others!" Ash explained. "Give Pikachu back!"
"Sorry, not so sorry," James said.
"Once stolen, stays stolen," Jessie said.
"So no give backs," Meowth said.
"Pikachu!" Shouted Ash.
"PIKA!" A helpless Pikachu cried.
Roan grabbed Scorbunny's Pokéball and tossed it. "Go Scorbunny and help Pikachu!" Yelled Roan.
"Scor!" Squeaked Scorbunny.
"Scorbunny, use your EMBER!" Roan Commanded.
With a determined look, Scorbunny jumped high into the air a used his Ember attack. The attack went straight at Team Rocket, but they didn't look scared.
"Wobbuffet, MIRROR COAT!" Jessie commanded
"Wobbuffet," Wobbuffet cried.
Wobbuffet used his Mirror Coat and was hit by the attack, but the attack was quickly sent back towards Scorbunny. Scorbunny was hit by its own attack and the little fire Pokémon crashed hard into the ground.
"Oh no! Scorbunny!" Roan shouted, running towards his Pokémon.
"Bye, bye," Team Rocket said, with a taunting wave at Ash.
"Come back!" Ash yelled.
Team Rocket's balloon flew away with Pikachu.
"They are getting away, Ash said.
"Scorbunny," Roan said, picking up a injured Scorbunny from the ground.
"Is Scorbunny okay?" Ash asked.
"No, he's hurt," Roan said.
"We need to get him to a Pokémon Center and fast," Ash said.
"The Pokémon Center's too far away. We'll never make it on foot and Scorbunny needs help like right now," Roan said.
Ash was angry and frustrated and Roan was panicking. From the distance, a car approached quickly and stopped next to Ash and Roan. The door of the car opened and it was Raihan.
"Roan," Ash, Raihan said.
"Raihan, Scorbunny is hurt, we need to take it to a Pokémon Center," Roan said.
"Then we have no time to lose, get in," Raihan said.
Ash and Roan got into the car with Raihan and he started the car. Raihan drove as fast as he could to the Pokémon Center.
Roan looked at Scorbunny, who was badly injured. "Hold on Scorbunny," he said.
"What happened?" Raihan asked.
"Two thieves and their talking Meowth stole Ash's Pikachu," Roan answered.
"Did you say a talking Meowth? Raihan asked.
"That's not important right now, those thieves stole Ash's Pikachu, Roan said.
"Those thieves are Team Rocket, they're always after my Pikachu, Ash explained.
"And I wanted to help Ash, so I used Scorbunny to get Pikachu back. So I ordered Scorbunny to use Ember, but their Wobbuffet used Mirror Coat and the attack bounced back and hit Scorbunny and now he's hurt," Roan said.
"At least you tried to help," Ash said.
"Scorbunny did get hurt," Roan said.
"Everything is going to be fine little bro," Raihan said.
"Raihan how did you get here anyway?" Ash asked.
"I saw that balloon start following Julie, then I started following that balloon. Unfortunately there was a blockade on the road and I couldn't follow it," Raihan explained.
"Then how did you find us?" Roan asked.
"I found another road and drove in the direction from which I had last seen the balloon," Raihan said.
"There I see the Poké Center," Ash said, pointing towards the direction of the Pokémon Center.
"Step on it Raihan!" Roan yelled.
Raihan hit the gas and drove toward the Pokémon Center. Less than a minute later and Raihan's car stopped in front of the entrance the Pokémon Center.
Roan and Ash got out of the car and ran into the Pokémon Center. "Somebody help! Please help my Scorbunny!" Roan begged.
Nurse Joy came running. "What happened?" She asked.
"My Scorbunny has been injured," Roan explained.
"Let me look at him," Nurse Joy said, taking Scorbunny from Roan.
"Please help him," Roan begged.
"This Scorbunny needs urgent help. Chansey, get the stretcher," Nurse Joy said.
"Chansey," cried Chansey.
A few seconds later, Chaney returned with a stretcher and Nurse Joy laid Scorbunny on it. Together with Chansey, Nurse Joy took Scorbunny to operating room. The doors closed and the light above the door turned red. The only thing Roan could do now was wait.
Already 3 hours had passed and Roan was still staring at the red light and he could only hope that everything would turn out well for Scorbunny.
"Scorbunny is in good hands Roan, he will recover," Raihan said, trying to reassure his little brother.
"It's my fault Scorbunny got hurt," Roan said.
"You wanted to do the right thing and help me get Pikachu back from Team Rocket," Ash said.
"Your heart was in the right place, Roan," Raihan said.
"Really?" Roan asked.
"Yes and those thieves will be sorry for what they did," Raihan said.
The red light dimmed and the doors opened and Scorbunny was rolled out.
Roan stood up and hurried towards his Pokémon. "Scorbunny," Roan exclaimed.
"Scor," squeaked Scorbunny softly.
"Scorbunny I'm so sorry," Roan said, with tears in his eyes.
"Scor, scor," Scorbunny squaked, putting his hand on Roan's cheek and whipping away his tears.
"Scorbunny needs to rest now and then he will feel a lot better tomorrow," Nurse Joy said.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy," Roan said.
"Chansey, take Scorbunny to Room 2 please," Nurse Joy said.
"Chansey," cried Chansey.
Chansey rolled Scorbunny towards room 2, Roan walked with Chansey and stayed with Scorbunny.
And while Ash and Raihan stayed behind and Roan was with Scorbunny, Team Rocket was somewhere in the woods.
"PIKACHU!" Pikachu cried, trying to use his Thunderbolt and failed.
"You can keep trying but that cage is Pikachu-proof," Meowth said.
"So none of your electric attacks or your iron tail will break that cage," James said.
"Finally, Lady Luck is shining on us," Jessie.
Team Rocket laughed evilly and Pikachu hoped Ash would find him soon.
The next day, Roan was in the room where Scorbunny lay and had stayed with him all night. Roan had fallen asleep late in the night and lay with his head up from Scorbunny.
"Scorbunny...," Roan said, in his sleep.
Suddenly Roan was poked by two pointed ears.
"No not yet, let me sleep for five more minutes...," A sleeping Roan said.
Again Roan was poked by the pointed ears.
"Knock it off," Roan shouted.
"Scorbunny, Scorbunny squeaked
Roan opened his eyes after hearing that Pokémon cry. Roan looked up and looked at a smiling Scorbunny.
"Scorbunny?" Roan asked.
"Scor, Scor," Scorbunny squeaked jumping up and down on the bed.
"Scorbunny you're all right!" Roan said in happiness.
"Scor," Scorbunny squeaked.
Scorbunny jumped into Roan's arms. Roan was happy that his Pokémon was okay again and hugged Scorbunny tightly.
"I'm so glad you're okay again," Roan said.
"Scor, squeaked Scorbunny," rubbing his face against Roan's cheek.
Nurse Joy entered the room. "I think Scorbunny is feeling a lot better," she said.
"Yes, he has healed up quite a bit," Roan said.
"I brought Scorbunny some food," Nurse Joy said.
"Scor, Scorbunny," A happy Scorbunny squeaked.
"I think he's gonna be very happy with that," Roan said.
Nurse Joy brought Scorbunny the Pokémon food and he started eating right away. With a big smile on his face, Roan looked at Scorbunny.
After Scorbunny was finished eating, Nurse Joy did a final check up on Scorbunny.
"Scorbunny is in good shape again," Nurse Joy said.
"Thank you for all your help Nurse Joy," Roan said.
"No problem, that's what I'm here for," Nurse Joy said with a smile on her face.
Roan picked up Scorbunny and walked with him to the exit of the Pokémon Center, where Ash and Raihan were already waiting for him.
"From the looks of it, everything is going well again with Scorbunny," Raihan said.
"Yep, Scorbunny is all right again," Roan said.
"Scor, Scorbunny!" Squaked Scorbunny.
"I'm happy for you Roan and for you Scorbunny," Ash said.
"Thank you Ash," Roan said. "And now let's get Pikachu back."
"Scor!" A determined Scorbunny squeaked.
"Yeah, let's go," Raihan said.
Ash, Roan, Scorbunny and Raihan left the Pokémon Center, walked back to Raihan's car and drove away.
"Where are we going Raihan?" Roan asked.
"We're going to the place where we last saw Team Rocket," Raihan explained.
"And then?" Roan asked.
"I'll tell you about that when we get there," Raihan simply said.
Ash and Roan had no idea what Raihan was up to, but Roan trusted his big brother. A few minutes later, Ash, Roan and Raihan arrived at the spot where Team Rocket had attacked Ash and Roan.
"Okay this is the place where Team Rocket was last," Raihan said.
"That's right," Roan said.
"Can you remember which direction their balloon flew in?" Raihan asked.
"I don't know, All I could think of was Scorbunny," Roan said.
"I think they were flying west," Ash guessed.
"Okay, then I think I know a way we can find them," Raihan said.
"What's your plan, Raihan?" Roan asked.
"Raihan said nothing and picked up a Pokéball. Now Flygon!" He yelled.
Raihan threw the Pokéball and a Flygon came out.
"Cool a Flygon," Ash said, crabbing his Rotom-Phone and pulling up his Pokédex
Flygon, the Mystic Pokémon. A Ground and Dragon type. Flygon has been called "the Desert Spirit." With its powerful wings, it creates sandstorms to hide in.
"Flygon fly west and see if you can find a Meowth-shaped air balloon," Raihan ordered.
"Fly," Flygon replied.
"When you find it, come back and take us to it," Raihan said.
Flygon nodded his head. Flygon spread his wings and flew away.
As Flygon flew through the air looking for Team Rocket's balloon, Team Rocket had just woken up.
"I don't know if you guys got that too, but I had a great sleep," James said.
"Yeah, me too," Jessie said.
"Maybe it's because we finally won from that twerp," Meowth said.
"And his Pikachu is now ours," James cheered.
"Speaking of Pikachu, let's see how our guest is doing," Jessie.
Team Rocket walked up to Pikachu's cage. Pikachu was sleeping.
"Wakey, wakey, Pikachu," Jessie said, ticking on the glass of the cage.
"Pika?" A still half asleep Pikachu squeaked.
"I hope you slept well, because you've to get use to this cage," taunted Meowth.
"Pika, Pika, Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked
"Hey, watch your mouth there, buddy," Meowth said.
"What did he say?" James asked.
"I won't translate it," Meowth said.
"It doesn't matter what he says because he can't do anything now," Jessie said.
"Pika, Pikachu squeaked in disappointment.
Team Rocket continued to tease Pikachu and meanwhile Raihan's Flygon flew above them. Flygon turned around and flew back in the direction of Raihan.
Ash, Roan and Raihan were still standing next to Raihan's car and waiting for Flygon to return.
"Do you think Flygon will find Team Rocket? Ash asked.
"I think so, a giant balloon shaped like a Meowth shouldn't be that hard to find, Roan said.
"And now think we'll get our answer soon," Raihan said.
"What do you mean?" Ash asked.
Raihan said nothing and pointed to the sky. Ash and Roan looked up and saw Flygon flying towards them. Flygon landed and Raihan walked over to him.
"Were you able to find Team Rocket?" Raihan.
"Flygon," Flygon replied
"Get in the car, Flygon take us to Team Rocket," Raihan said.
"Flygon!" Flygon cried.
Ash, Roan and Scorbunny got in the car and Raihan got behind the wheel and started the car. Flygon flew off and flew towards where Team Rocket was hiding and Raihan drove after Flygon. After following Flygon for a while, Raihan stopped the car.
"What are you doing? Why are you stopping?" Roan asked.
"Flygon has landed here," Raihan explained.
"But why?" Ash asked.
"I think Flygon knows we can't continue with the car here," Raihan said.
"And now what"? Ash asked.
"We get out and follow Flygon on foot," Raihan said.
Ash, Roan, Scorbunny and Raihan got out of the car. Flygon flew up and the four followed him.
Not much later Flygon landed again and the four walked towards Flygon
"What is it Flygon?" Raihan asked.
"Fly," Flygon cried, pointing with head towards Team Rocket's balloon.
"Team Rocket," Roan said.
"And Pikachu," Ash said.
"Good work Flygon," Raihan said.
"Let's pack up the last of our gear and get out of here," Jessie said.
"And then we're gonna deliver Pikachu to the boss," Meowth said.
"I don't think so, You're not going anywhere with my Pikachu," Ash said.
Team Rocket turned around and saw Ash, Roan and Raihan standing in front of them
"The twerps," Team Rocket said in unison.
"How did you guys find us?" James asked.
"We had some help," Roan said.
"And who is this big twerp?" Meowth asked.
"The name is Raihan and you thieves are gonna regret your actions," Raihan said.
"And who's gonna stop us?" Jessie asked in a taunting voice.
"I'm," Raihan said.
"You'll have to go through Wobbuffet first," Jessie said.
"Now Flygon, grab the cage Pikachu is in and bring him here!" Raihan ordered.
But before Jesse could call up on Wobbuffet, Flygon flew full speed towards Pikachu's cage and grabbed him. Flygon flew back and dropped the cage into Ash's hands.
"Pikachu," Ash said, as he opened the cage and freed his buddy.
"Pika, pi," squeaked Pikachu
"Give us back that Pikachu," Jessie said.
"That's not fair," James said.
"Not fair? You are the ones who are not fair, you bunch of thieves," Roan said.
"You ready, Pikachu?" Ash asked.
"Pikachu," Pikachu replied.
"What about you Scorbunny?" Roan asked.
"Scor," Scorbunny replied.
"Alright, here we go," Roan said.
"Now Pikachu use THUNDERBOLT," Ash ordered.
"EMBER, Scorbunny," Roan ordered.
"Flygon show them your DRAGON PULSE," Raihan ordered.
Pikachu, Scorbunny and Flygon launched their attacks in the direction of Team Rocket. Team Rocket froze in fear and could only scream. The three attacks hit Team Rocket and they flew high into the air.
"Oh no, we were so close to victory," Jessie said.
"We had Pikachu in our hands," James said.
"But even here in the Galar Region...," Meowth began.
"We're blasting of again!" Team Rocket yelled.
"Wobbuffet," cried Wobbuffet.
Team Rocket flew on and on until there was a twinkle in the air.
"Well, that has been taken care of," Roan said.
"Are you all right?" Raihan asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Ash replied.
"I'm okay too," Roan replied.
"And Pikachu and Scorbunny?" Raihan asked.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu replied.
"Scor, Scorbunny," Scorbunny replied.
"That's good to hear," Raihan said.
Ash, Roan and Raihan got back into the car and drove out of the forest. When they were out of the forest Ash and Roan got out.
"Thank you for all your help Raihan," Roan said.
"No problem little bro," Raihan said.
"A super big thank you on my behalf, thanks to you I have Pikachu back," Ash said.
"Pika," squeaked Pikachu
"It was no problem," Raihan said.
"So you're heading back to the gym now?" Roan asked.
"Yes and you're going to continue your journey," Raihan said.
"Yep," Roan said.
"I've something for you," Raihan said.
"What's it?" Roan asked.
"This," Raihan said, giving Roan a bunch of chocolate bars.
"My favorite," Roan said, with a happy look on his face.
"I know," Raihan said.
"Thank you, Raihan," Roan said.
Raihan gave his little brother and Ash a high five and then drove off. And Ash and Roan started walking and continued their journey.
What other adventures await our heroes in the Galar region? Discover this and much more next time.