Our heroes are still in Motostoke, in 1 day the big opening ceremony will be happening and Ash can do the Gym Challenges and if he has all 8 badges he can officially enter the League. But before that could happen Ash and Roan were challenged by Hop, a childhood friend of Roan.
"So will you accept my challenge?" Hop asked.
"I'm up for it," Ash said.
"So am I. Bring it on, Hop," Roan said.
"Okay here's how it works, you each pick a Pokémon and choose two," Hop said.
"So a double battle," Roan said.
"That's right, the battle is over when your Pokémon can't fight or mine," Hop explained.
"I'll be the referee," Chloe said.
"That's good," Hop said.
"Then let's stop talking and let the battle begin," Ash said.
"Hold on guys, you can't just have a Pokémon battle in the street," Chloe said.
"But where should we have a fight?" Ash asked.
Chloe looked around her and saw a battlefield down the road. "You can have your battle there," Chloe said.
"To the battlefield," Hop said.
Ash, Roan, Chloe and Hops walked towards the battlefield, Ash and Roan stood to one side and Hops to the other, Chloe stood on the sidelines.
"Trainers get your Pokémon ready," Chloe said.
"Pikachu I know you would love to fight this battle, but I would like to use Rookidee," Ash said.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"So you really don't mind sitting on the sidelines for now?" Ash asked.
Pikachu shook his head. "Pika, pika," Pikachu squeaked.
Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder and walked over to Yamper and stood next to him.
"Okay, get your Pokémon ready," Chloe said.
"Rookidee I choose you!" Ash shouted, as he summoned Rookidee.
"Rookidee!" Chirped Rookidee.
Roan grabbed a Pokéball from his pocket and threw it. "Go Toxel," Roan said, summoning his Toxel.
"Toxel," Toxel hissed.
"Okay Wooloo and Bulbasaur we're going at it," Hop said, summoning his Pokémon.
"Wooloo," bleated Wooloo.
"Bulba," Bulbasaur cried.
"He has a Bulbasaur," Ash said.
"Let's see if what the Pokédex can tell me about Bulbasaur," Roan said, as he grabbed his Rotom-Phone and opened up the Pokédex.
Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokémon and the Kanto Grass starter Pokémon. A young Bulbasaur uses the nutrients from its seed for the energy it needs to grow.
"Roan I'll take care of Bulbasaur and you take care of Wooloo," Ash said.
"Okay," Roan said.
"Let the battle begin!" Chloe shouted.
"You may go first," Hop said.
"Okay Rookidee PECK on Bulbasaur," Ash commanded.
"Toxel use ACID on Wooloo," Roan commanded.
Rookidee flew towards Bulbasaur to attack him. Toxel used his Acid attack and it hit Wooloo,
"Bulbasaur use your VINE WHIP and grab Rookidee by his wings," Hop commanded.
"Bulba," Bulbasaur cried.
Bulbasaur's Vine Whip tied itself around Rookidee's wings, preventing him from flying.
"Rooki," chirped Rookidee.
"Oh no Rookidee," Ash said.
"Take him down," Hop commanded
"Bulbasaur," Bulbasaur cried.
Bulbasaur pulled Rookidee to the ground and Rookidee crashed down hard.
"Rookidee!" Ash yelled.
"Oh no," Roan said.
"Bulbasaur launch Rookidee," Hop commanded.
"Bulbasaur," Bulbasaur cried.
Bulbasaur pulled Rookidee up and prepared to throw him. Ash wasn't able to come up with something, but suddenly Roan got an idea.
"That's it, Toxel use ACID on Bulbasaur's VINE WHIP," commanded Roan
"Toxel," Toxel hissed, using it's Toxel attack and launching it towards the Vine Whip.
The Acid hit the Vine Whip and it broke off, releasing Rookidee.
"Smart move," Roan, Ash said.
"That was a good move, I have to admit that" Hop said.
"Thank you, but with flattery you won't win this battle, Toxel NUZZLE on Wooloo," Roan commanded.
"Wooloo dodge and use your TACKLE against Toxel," Hop commanded.
Wooloo managed to dodge the attack and hit Toxel with his Tackle attack.
"No Toxel," Roan said.
"Okay Wooloo use your TACKLE again," Hop commanded.
"Rookidee use POWER TRIP and help Toxel," Ash commanded.
Rookidee used his attack to protect Toxel before he could be attacked again by Wooloo.
"Woo," bleated Wooloo.
"Oh no Wooloo," Hop said.
"Got it," Ash said.
"Bulbasaur use RAZOR LEAF," Hop commanded.
"Bulba," cried Bulbasaur getting ready to use its attack.
"Rookidee get Toxel out of there and dodge the attack," Ash commanded.
Rookidee grabbed Toxel by tail and dragged him away just in time Bulbasaur's attack before they could be hit with Bulbasaur's attack.
"Thank you Ash," Roan said.
"That's what we're a team for," Ash said.
"Then let's finish this fight as a team," Roan said.
"I have an idea," Ash said.
"What is it?" Roan asked.
Ash whispered his plan to Roan, Rookidee and Toxel and they all nodded their heads and understood Ash's plan
"Rookidee get ready," Ash said.
"You too Toxel," Roan said.
"Rookidee use PECK on Wooloo," Ash commanded.
"Toxel NUZZLE on Bulbasaur," commanded Roan.
"Get ready guys," Hop said.
Rookidee and Toxel were getting closer and closer to Hop's Wooloo and Bulbasaur ready to attack.
"And time for the switch," Ash said.
"The what?" Hop asked.
Rookidee and Toxel switched places, Hop had no time to react, Rookidee attacked Bulbasaur with his Peck attack and Toxel hit Wooloo with his attack. Bulbasaur and Wooloo fell down to the ground.
"Bulbasaur and Wooloo are unable to battle, the winners were Rookidee and Toxel, which means the victory goes to Ash and Roan," Chloe said.
"Yes," Roan cheered
"We won," Ash cheered.
"Good work Ash," Roan said.
"You too Roan," Ash said.
Hops took out two Pokéballs and called Bulbasaur and Wooloo back to their Pokéballs. "You guys did your best, thank you for that," Hop said.
"Rookidee you were great," Ash said.
"Rookidee," Rookidee chirped.
"You also did a super job Toxel," Roan said.
"Toxel," hissed Toxel
"Rookidee return,' Ash said, calling Rookidee back to its Pokéball.
"Thank you Toxel, get some rest well deserved rest, Roan said, calling Toxel back to its Pokéball.
"That was a good fight, Hop said as he walked up to Ash and Roan.
"Thank you, you fought well too," Hop, Roan said.
"Lost though and still have a lot to do before challenging the first Gym," Hop said.
"I have an idea, how about we go to the Pokémon Center, fix up your Pokémon and then we'll all go get ice cream, my treat, Chloe suggested.
"Sounds like a fun plan," Hop said.
"Let's go," Chloe said.
As Ash, Roan, Chloe and Hop made their way to the Pokémon Centrum, Team Rocket, as usual, was spying on Ash and his friends.
"I'd like an ice cream too," Jessie said.
"So would I, we got defeated by those twerps before we got to dessert," James said.
"Oh strawberry ice cream with chocolate sauce and sprinkles," Jessie said.
"Chocolate ice cream with extra whipped cream and crushed nuts," James said.
"Orange ice cream with hot fudge," Meowth said.
"That sounds gross," Jessie said.
"How can you enjoy that?" James asked.
"I just do," Meowth said.
"Oh no, we were so busy fantasizing about ice cream, we lost the twerps, "James said.
"Then let's stop talking and go look for the twerps again," Meowth said.
Meanwhile, Ash, Roan, Chloe and Hop had arrived at the Pokémon Center. Ash, Roan and Hop gave their Pokémon to Nurse Joy. A couple of moments later Nurse Joy returned.
"All your Pokémon are fully healed again," said Nurse Joy.
"Thank you Nurse Joy," Ash, Roan and Hop said in unison.
Ash, Roan, Chloe and Hops left the Pokémon Center and headed toward the ice cream shop, each calling for ice cream for themselves and all their Pokémon.
A few hours later Ash, Roan and Chloe were back at the hotel, they had decided to use the empty bed for all their Pokémon so they could sleep on it. Roan and Chloe were already asleep, Ash couldn't sleep because he was nervous about tomorrow's ceremony. Ash walked to the balcony and gently opened the door, he stepped onto the balcony and looked out over the city. Suddenly Ash heard footsteps, he turned up and say Pikachu and Rookidee standing behind him.
"Pikachu," Rookidee what are you doing here? Ash asked.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"Rooki," chirped Rookidee.
Ash picked up Pikachu and Rookidee. "You guys knew I can't sleep right?" Ash asked.
Pikachu nodded his head. "Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"In a few hours is the opening ceremony, then our gym adventure can begin, I'm counting on you guys," Ash said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"Rookidee," Rookidee chirped.
"Thank you," Ash said.
Ash took Pikachu and Rookidee back into the room and put them back in bed. Ash got back into his bed and went to try to sleep.
The next morning. Ash soon finished breakfast and was waiting for Roan and Chloe in the lobby. Ash looked at the big gold statue that stood in the lobby.
"There you are Ash, Chloe said, as she and Roan walked into the lobby.
"You were gone so quickly after breakfast," Roan said.
"And that was pretty unusual for you, usually you go for seconds," Chloe said.
"Not today, I'm not that hungry," Ash said.
"You must be nervous about the opening ceremony?" Roan asked.
"Yeah, pretty much," Ash said.
"That is understandable," Roan said.
"Chloe, do you know what the story of this statue is?" Ash asked.
"It's a statue of the hero who once saved the Galar region, I could tell you about is," Chloe said.
"Please tell," Ash said.
"Long ago a great black storm covered the Galar region. People called it the Darkest Day," Chloe said.
"The Darkest Day?" Ash Asked.
"The land was assaulted by gigantic Pokémon… but they were defeated by a single hero, bearing a sword and a shield. This statue her is meant to depict the young hero of that legend," Chloe said.
"Wow," an amazed Ash said.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"To this day scientist and historians still don't understand what kind of sword and shield the hero actually had. And what this black storm is supposed to be is just another mystery… What ever it was, it blotted out of skies all across Galar. I suppose that tracks with being called the Darkest Day, but still," Chloe said.
"How do you know all this?" Ash asked.
"I studied about it, just like I studied about all the history of Galar," Chloe said.
"Amazing," Ash said.
"But we don't have time for a history lesson now, you have to go to the stadium to pick up your uniform," Roan said.
Ash, Roan and Chloe left the hotel, unbeknownst to them Team Rocket was also in the hotel in disguise and they had as heard what Chloe had told them about the statue.
"That statue has an interesting story," Meowth said.
"Indeed, so it will also be worth a lot," Jessie said.
"Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking right now?" James asked.
"If you think we should steal the statue and give it to the boss, I also think that," Meowth said.
"Then we're all thinking exactly the same thing," Jessie said.
Team Rocket got up and left the hotel.
A few moments later Ash was in the stadium and had already put on his uniform, he got up and left the locker room.
"Are you ready Ash?" Roan asked.
"Yes,' Ash said.
Pikachu jumped from Roan's shoulder to Ash's shoulder. Pika, Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"I know Pikachu," Ash said.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"We can do this," Ash said.
"Pi," Pikachu squeaked.
"Good to see you guys again," said a voice that sound familiar to Ash.
Ash turned and saw Cody standing behind him. "Cody," Ash said.
"Hey Ash, Roan, Chloe," Cody said.
"When did you arrive?" Chloe asked.
"Yesterday afternoon," Cody answered.
"Jolt, Jolt," barked Jolteon.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"Yamper," barked Yamper.
"Ready for the opening ceremony?" Ash asked.
"Yes, I'm so ready for it," Cody said.
"Me too," Hop said, as he walked up to Ash and the rest.
"Hey Hop," Roan said.
"Cody's our new friend Ho,. Hop this is Cody, another friend of ours," Ash said.
"Nice to meet you," Cody said.
"You too," Hop said.
"Only a hour left and then the opening ceremony begins," Ash said.
"I can't wait to see what happens," Ash said.
Ash looked around at all the other trainers who wanted to join the Galar-League, they all looked determined. Suddenly there was the sound of a loud bang, that sound it was close to the stadium.
"What was that?" Hop asked.
"It sounded like it was coming from outside," Cody said.
Ash, Roan, Chloe, Cody and Hop ran outside and saw two large metal claws dragging the statue out of the hotel.
"The statue," Chloe said.
"What's happening?" Hop asked.
"Someone is stealing the statue," Chloe said.
"But who?" Hop asked.
"I have a feeling who's behind this," Roan said.
"And your feeling is telling you that Team Rocket is behind this," Ash said.
"Yeah," Roan said.
"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.
"Oh, not them again," Cody said.
"So you've met Team Rocket too?" Hop asked.
"Yes, sadly I have," Cody said.
"Give the statue back," Chloe demanded.
"No, that's not going to happen," Jessie said.
"What do you plan to do with the statue?" Roan asked.
"It will be a nice gift for the boss," Meowth said.
"I'm sure it would look great in his office," Jessie said.
"The statue belongs here, it's part of Galar's history," Chloe said.
"Do I look like I care about all that history?" Jessie asked in a taunting tone.
"You won't get away with this Team Rocket," Ash said.
"Oh, yes, we will," Meowth said.
"And as a bonus," James said.
James grabbed a remote control and pressed a button, another mental claw appeared and grabbed Pikachu off Ash's shoulder.
"Pika!" Pikachu cried.
"Pikachu!" Ash shouted.
"Oh no," Chloe said.
"Now we have the statue and Pikachu," Jessie said.
"I don't think so, Pikachu THUNDERBOLT," commanded Ash.
"Pikachu, cried Pikachu as he used it's Thunderbolt, but it had no effect. "Pika?"
"That's no use twerps, this claw is all Pikachu proof, no electric attack will work on this, Meowth said.
Roan took a Pokéball from his pocket. "I won't let you get away with this, Scorbunny go! Roan shouted, summoning Scorbunny.
"Scorbunny," squeaked Scorbunny.
"Like we're afraid of you and your little Scorbunny," Jessie said
"Now Cramorant," James said.
James grabbed Cramorant's Pokéball and summoned him, but as usual Cramorant bit James in his head.
"How many times do I have to say this to you, don't attack me, attack the twerps," James said, as he got Cramorant of his head.
"Scorbunny use EMBER on the metal claws," Roan commanded.
"Scorbunny," squeaked Scorbunny, as he used his Ember attack.
"Cramorant use SCALD and stop that attack," James commanded.
"Cramorant," quaked Cramorant, using it's Scald attack to destroy Scorbunny's Ember attack.
"Oh no," Roan said.
"Don't worry Roan, I'll help you," Hop said, as he grabbed a Pokéball. "Now Bulbasaur."
"Bulbasaur," Bulbasaur.
"Bulbasaur use your SLEEP POWDER, on Cramorant," commanded Hop.
"Bulba Bulbasaur," Bulbasaur cried.
Hop's Bulbasaur used his attack against Cramorant and he fell asleep.
"Cramorant has fallen asleep, Meowth said.
"Cramorant, wake up, I won't even get mad if you bite my head," James said.
"James wake up that stupid bird of yours," Jessie said.
"I'm trying to do best with waking him up," James said.
"Now we destroy the claws," Chloe said.
"We're on it, Bulbasaur use your RAZOR LEAF," Hop commanded.
"Jolteon use your SWIFT!" Cody commanded.
"Bulbasaur," cried Bulbasaur
"Jolteon," Jolteon barked.
Bulbasaur's Razor Leaf and Jolteon's Swift hit the claws, slowly damaging them and finally they broke off, causing Pikachu and the statue to fall down.
"Oh no, the statue!" Screamed Team Rocket.
"Pikachu!" Ash yelled
"Somebody do something," Chloe said.
"Now Mr. Rime," said a voice.
"Rime," cried Mr. Rime.
"What kind of Pokémon is that?" Ash asked, taking out his Rotom-Phone and oping his Pokédex app.
Mr. Rime is a dual Ice/Psychic Pokémon, It's highly skilled at tap-dancing. It waves its cane of ice in time with its graceful movements.
"PSYCHIC!" Commanded the voice.
"Mr. Rime," cried Mr. Rime
Mr. Rime used his Psychic attack on Pikachu and the statue, bringing them safely to the ground.
Ash ran towards Pikachu and grabbed him. "Pikachu!" Ash said.
"Pika," squeaked Pikachu.
"Are you okay?" Ash asked.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"Thank you, Mr. Rime," said the voice.
Ash and the rest turned and saw a tall man standing , with long, purple hair and amber eyes. He wears a baseball cap tilted upwards to show off the crown design on the brim, a red fur-lined cape that has logos of sponsors on the back, and a black striped shirt that has a sword and shield on it. He also wears white shorts with white tights underneath with a black and gold diamond pattern down the side.
"Leon," Hop said.
"The Champion of Galar," Cody said.
"Lee, what are you doing here?" Hop asked.
"I saw what happened and came here to help you guys," Leon explained.
"You just got here right on time Lee," Hop said.
"And do you think you're?" Jessie asked.
"This is Leon, the champion of Galar, you're in real trouble now," Hop said.
"We're Team Rocket, We're not afraid of some champion," Jessie said.
"Mr. Rime, use PSYCHIC and get that balloon down as hard as you can," commanded Leon.
"Mr. Rime," cried Mr. Rime.
Mr. Rime used Psychic again but this time to take down Team Rocket's balloon. Team Rocket came down screaming, as the balloon crashed down.
"Our balloon," James said.
"Completely destroyed," Meowth said.
"As champion of Galar I will personally make sure no one destroys Galar and certainly not three idiots like you," Leon said.
"Nobody destroys Team Rocket's balloon and then calls them a bunch of idiots, Jessie said.
"You'll pay for this you champion twerp," James said.
"Prepare of the fury of Team Rocket," Meowth said.
"Mr. Rime ICY WIND," Leon commanded
"Rime," Mr. Rime cried, using it's Icy Wind attack on Team Rocket and making them into ice statues.
"Okay, Pikachu now it's our turn, you know what to do," Ash said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"THUNDERBOLT," Ash commanded.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
Pikachu launched a Thunderbolt toward Team Rocket and they were blasted off into the air, blasting them far into the sky and because the were still ice statues, Team Rocket wasn't able to say anything.
"And once again Team Rocket is defeated, Roan said.
"Thanks for your help Leon," Hop said.
"No problem," Leon said.
"Hey Leon," Roan said.
"Hi Roan, How are you?" Leon asked.
"I'm good,' Roan said.
"Lee, this are some other friends I made, Ash, Chloe and Cody," Hop said.
"Nice to meet you all," Leon said.
"It's great that I got to meet the Champion," Ash said.
"Leon shook each the hand of Ash," Chloe and Cody.
"Let's get the statue back where it belongs," Chloe said.
"Good idea, but we have to hurry because the opening ceremony starts in a few minutes," Leon said.
Ash, Roan, Chloe and the rest brought the statue back to the hotel lobby and then headed to the stadium for the opening ceremony. Roan and Chloe sat in the stands, while Ash, Cody and Hop sat in special room for the participants and watched everything on a tv screen. A man with black hair and gray suit walked onto the field.
"Ladies and gentlemen! I'm Rose, chairman of the Pokémon League! I know that everyone gathered here and everyone watching from home have all been waiting for this big moment!" Chairman Rose said.
The crowd and the participants started to cheer very loud.
"It's my pleasure to announce that finally the Galar region Gym Challenge will begin!" Chairman Rose said.
Everyone in the stadium started to cheer even louder than before.
"Now, I would like to invite the Gym Leaders to show themselves!" Chairman Rose said.
The door went open and 7 trainers walked onto the field. Ash could already feel that they would be very powerful trainers and that put a smile on his face.
"Here are you Gym Leaders!" Chairman Rose said.
The fighting farmer! Here is the Grass-Type expert, Milo!
The raging wave! It's the master of Water Types, Nessa!
The every-burning man of fire! Here comes the fire-type veteran, Kabu!
The Galar karate prodigy! Nobody is better with Fighting types than Bea!
The master of a fantastic theater! It's the charming Fairy-type user, Opal!
The hard-rock crusher! Please welcome the Rock-type maser, Geordie!
And last but not least the tamer of dragons… it's Raihan, the top Gym Leader!
"Unfortunately, we're missing one, but these are the Gym Leaders that we in the Galar Region are proud to call our own!" Chairman Rose said.
The crowd started to cheer way louder than they did before. All the participants come and to field.
"To all the participants show how strong you're and proof that you're worthy of competing in the Galar league!" Chairman Rose said.
It has now officially started, now Ash can officially compete in the Gym Challenges. But can he beat all 8 Gym Leaders and prove that good enough for the Galar-League. And who can prove he or she is the strongest trainer and win the whole Galar-League?
Author note: When Ash goes to do a Gym Challenge, he just keeps his cap on, he does have his uniform on. Because fair is fair, representing Ash without a cap is pretty weird.