It was the day after the opening ceremony and our heroes are still in Motostoke and have just left the Budew Drop Inn.
"Motostoke Gym here we come!" Cheered Ash.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"Whoa wait Ash you can't go to the Motostoke Gym," Chloe said.
"Why not?" Ash asked.
"Because the Gym Leader Kabu only fights trainers who already have 2 Gym Badges," Chloe said.
"How do you know that?" Asked Roan.
Chloe opened her bag a took out a guide. "It's in here," she said.
"But which Gym should I go to first?" Ash asked.
Chloe flipped through the information guide. "The Gym in Turffield, Milo is the Gym Leader there," Chloe said.
"And if I remember correctly, he's a Grass-type expert," Roan said.
"That's right," said Chloe said.
"Change of plans, we go to the Turffield Gym," Ash said.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"How do we get to Turffield?" Asked Roan.
"We need to take route 3, then go to Galar Mine 1 and take route 4 according to the map provided in the guidebook," Chloe said.
"Here we go," Ash said as he walked into a random direction.
"Ash route 3 is the other way," Chloe said.
Ash came walking back again. "I know that now," Ash said
Ash, Roan and Chloe left Motostoke and took route 3 towards Turffield, on the way they saw many other trainers and almost all of them were talking about a thief.
"Now that's like the 12th trainer talking about a thief," Chloe said.
"Maybe we can find someone who knows more about the thief," Roan said.
"Let's ask that trainer over there," Chloe said.
Ash, Roan and Chloe walked up to a trainer.
"Excuse me can we ask you a question?" Ash asked.
"How can I help you?" Asked the trainer.
"Do you know something about the thief that's been running around?" Chloe asked.
"I also heard about that thief, I got robbed by that thief," the trainer said.
"What did the thief steal from you?" Asked Roan.
"My hat," the trainer said.
"But you have your hat on your head," Chloe said.
"That's the strange part of this, I found my hat back on the head of another trainer of and I had her beanie on," the trainer said.
"But how can that be?" Ash asked.
"I have no idea it happened so fast," the trainer said.
"Can you tell us anything?" Chloe said.
"I was taking a nap under that tree over there, suddenly I heard something and the next thing I knew my hat was gone and I had a stranger's beanie on," the trainer said.
"Bizarre story this," Roan said.
"But that's what happens to all trainers who get robbed and it isn't just hats, it other stuff like bags, jackets, shoes they find their stuff on with trainers," the trainer said.
"That makes this a really strange thief," Ash said.
"If I were you, I would watch your things because before you know it, they're with other trainers, the trainer said.
The trainer walked away. But Ash, Roan and Chloe were not the only ones who listened carefully to the trainer's story, Team Rocket, who was hiding in the bushes had listened to everything the trainer said.
"So there was a thief lurking around here," James said.
"A fast and excellent thief if I hear correctly," Jessie said.
"Let's see if we can find thief and persuade him or her to join Team Rocket,' Meowth suggested.
"Good idea, we'll finally manage to steal anything we want," Jessie said.
"Including the twerps' Pokémon," James said.
"And so finally successfully we will steal Pikachu," Meowth said.
After walking for a while, Ash, Roan and Chloe decided to stop and set up camp.
"Is it really such a good idea to set up our camp here?" Chloe asked.
"Why wouldn't it be a good idea?" Ash asked.
'Well maybe because of the thief running around here, what if this thief now decides to rob us," Chloe said.
"Chloe has a point," Roan said.
"Maybe one of us could stand guard," Ash suggested.
"You heard what that trainer said, that thief is so fast, you won't see him or her coming," Chloe said.
"Then we can just sleep in the tent, that thief won't get in that easily," Ash said.
"You got a point there," Roan said.
"And you know what, I'll keep watch tonight and if I hear anything I'll warn you and we'll catch the thief together," Ash said.
"Sounds like a good plan," Roan said.
"Now let's not worry about the thief and do something else," Ash said.
"So what do you suggest we do then?" Roan asked.
"Have lunch, I'm quite hungry actually," Ash said.
"Of course, I didn't expect anything else from you," Roan said.
"I made us lunch packages at the hotel and some food for the Pokémon," Chloe said.
Chloe handed out the lunch boxes and the three friends and their Pokémon enjoyed a nice lunch.
"Oh I completely forgot about that," Chloe said.
"What is it?" asked Roan.
"I bought something for you Yamper," Chloe said.
"Yamp?" Yamper barked.
Chloe took out a blue headband with white lightning bolts on it from her bag and tied it around Yamper's head.
"Do you like it Yamper?" Chloe asked.
"Yamp, Yamp," Yamper barked happily.
"Glad you like it," Chloe said.
"Why did you buy that anyway Chloe?" Roan asked.
"A lot of trainers who have a Yamper and they let Yamper run outside their Pokéball, this way I always know this is my Yamper, Chloe explained.
A few hours later and it was evening, Roan and Chloe were sleeping in the tent. Ash was sitting in front of the tent keeping watch in case the thief came to their camp, only Ash was having trouble keeping his eyes open.
"Pika, pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"I know Pikachu, we have to stay awake," Ash said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"We are going to catch the thief," Ash said.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
But after an hour both Ash and Pikachu had fallen asleep. Ash had fallen so deeply asleep that he did not realize that his hat was stolen off his head.
The next day, Roan and Chloe came out of the tent and saw a sleeping Ash and Pikachu on the ground.
"Ash!" Chloe said.
"What?" Ash asked, as he woke up.
"You were sleeping," Roan said.
"And your hat is gone," Chloe said.
Ash felt on his head and felt that there was nothing on his head. "My hat!" Ash shouted.
"The thief has struck," Chloe said.
"I didn't notice anything," Ash said.
"What are we going to do now?" Roan asked.
"Let's find Ash's hat," Chloe said.
Ash, Roan and Chloe left the camp and went around every camp, but none of the trainers had Ash's cap. Ash, Roan and Chloe returned to their camp.
"So the thief still has my hat," Ash said.
"From what that trainer told us is strange that your hat is not in any of the other camps," Chloe said.
"So why does the thief want my hat?" Asked Ash
"No idea," Roan said.
"You know what, I'm not gonna let it distract me, I'm gonna do something," Ash said.
"What are you gonna do?" Asked Roan.
"Train for the Gym," Ash said.
"Can't we have breakfast first? We haven't even done that yet," Roan said.
"I'll work out after breakfast then," Chloe said.
Chloe started making breakfast with the help of Ash and Roan. After breakfast, Roan and Chloe were busy cleaning everything up while Ash was training his Pikachu and Rookidee for the upcoming Gym challenge. But Ash had no idea he was being watched by someone.
"Guys, I need to talk with you," Chloe said.
"What is the matter Chloe?" Ash asked.
"I think we should do something, we can't just sit here and wait for the thief to strike again," Chloe said.
"What do you suggest we do?" Roan asked.
"I don't know, but there must be something we can do to lure the thief," Chloe said.
"We need bait," Roan said.
"What do you suggest we use?" Chloe asked.
Roan looked around and saw Chloe putting Yamper's headband on. "I do have an idea what we can use," Roan said.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Chloe said.
"Yeah, why?" Ash asked.
"Then Chloe realized what Roan was planning. Oh no, no, no that's not going to happen," Chloe said.
"What isn't?" Ash asked.
"We are not using Yamper as bait," Chloe said.
"Come on Chloe it might be the only way we can catch the thief," Roan said.
"And you wanted to do something to catch the thief and now you have a chance," Ash said.
"Only if Yamper wants to do it," Chloe said.
"Yamper," barked Yamper.
"You wanna do it, Yamper?" Chloe asked.
Yamper nodded his head. "Yamp," Yamper barked.
"Are you really sure about it?" Chloe asked.
"Yamp, Yamper," barked Yamper.
"Perfect, now we're going to catch ourselves a thief," Ash said.
A few moments later, Yamper was lying in the lawn pretending to sleep, Ash Roan and Chloe were hiding in the bushes waiting for the thief to catch the thief in the act.
"Okay let's go over the plan one more time," Roan said.
"Yamper is lying in the field with his headband on," Chloe said.
"And when the thief gets here and tries to steal his headband," Roan said.
"Then Pikachu goes into action," Ash said.
"Pika, pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"The thief won't be able to escape," Roan said.
"Let's hope this plan works," Chloe said.
Ash, Roan and Chloe turned their attention back to Yamper. Suddenly, there was a sound and something super-fast was coming towards Yamper.
"The thief!" Chloe shouted.
"Now Pikachu, use THUNDERBOLT!" Ash said.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu cried.
Pikachu used his Thunderbolt and hit the thief with his attack.
"We hit the thief," Roan said
"Let's see who this thief is," Ash said.
Ash, Roan and Chloe came out from behind the bushes and walked toward Yamper, but saw no sign of the thief.
"There is no-one here" Roan said.
"What how could that be?" Chloe asked.
"Where is the thief?" Ash asked.
"Grookey!" Chattered a Grookey.
A Grookey jumped out of nowhere and landed on Ash's head and hit his head with his stick.
"Ouch that hurt," Ash said.
"Grookey," chattered Grookey, as jumped of Ash's head.
Ash pulled out his Rotom-Phone and opened his Pokédex app. "I'm going find out what the Pokédex knows about our that Pokémon," Ash said.
Grookey, the Chimp Pokémon. A Grass type. Grookey attacks by beating with a stick. As the speed of its beats increases, Grookey's excitement does too
"Isn't Grookey one of Galar's starter Pokémon?" Ash asked.
"Yes, it is and because he's a grass type Pikachu Thunderbolt didn't have much effect," Roan said.
"And apparently so is our thief," Chloe stated.
"Okay, Grookey where's my hat?" Ash asked.
Grookey jumped on Ash's head again and hit him with his stick. "Grookey," Grookey chattered.
"Ouch, stop that," Ash said.
Suddenly, a large metal hand appeared from the sky and grabbed Grookey off Ash's head.
"Grookey," cried Grookey.
"Hey," Ash said.
"I already know who's behind this," Chloe said.
"Prepare for trouble, are you all that surprised?" Jessie said.
"And make it double and super-sized!" 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 lop-sided fight!" James said.
"Meowth! That's right!" Meowth said.
"Wobbuffet!" Cried Wobbuffet.
"Team Rocket," Ash, Roan and Chloe said in unison.
"Who else, did you twerps expect?" Meowth asked.
"What do you guys want with Grookey?" Ash asked.
"We would like to invite Grookey to become the newest member of Team Rocket," Jessie said.
"What?" Ash asked.
"Grookey is a natural thief," Jessie said.
"Someone with such skills as Grookey is a perfect fit for Team Rocket," James said.
"Grookey tried the escape from the metal hand. Grookey," chattered Grookey.
"Grookey doesn't look like he wants to join at all," Ash said.
"Oh, he will," James said.
"We have a way to win him over," Meowth said.
"But for now," Jessie said.
"Ta-ta twerps," the Team Rocket trio said.
"And to make sure you don't come after us," Meowth said.
Meowth pressed a button and black balls fell down and filled the field with smoke. Team Rocket's balloon flew away and slowly the smoke cleared.
"They are escaping," Roan said.
Ash grabbed Rookidee's Pokéball." That's not going to happen, Rookidee I choose you," Ash said, as he summoned Rookidee.
"Rookidee," Rookidee chirped.
"Follow Team Rocket's balloon Rookidee," Ash said.
"Rookidee," Rookidee chirped as he flew away and went after the balloon of Team Rocket.
"Let's go that way too," Ash said.
Ash, Roan and Chloe ran after Rookidee.
Team Rocket's balloon had landed further up, they had Grookey tied to a tree and then Team Rocket had lunch. Ash, Roan and Chloe came running and hid in the bushes and spied on Team Rocket.
"Look there is Team Rocket," Roan said.
"Poor Grookey all tied up," Chloe said.
Team Rocket finished lunch and walked up to Grookey.
"So you've had enough time to think about our offer?" Meowth Asked.
"Grookey, Grookey," Grookey chattered.
"Translation please?" James asked.
"Grookey it telling us no, he doesn't want to join our team," Meowth said.
"But Grookey you're a natural thief, you're a perfect fit for Team Rocket," Jessie said.
"Groo, Grookey," chattered Grookey.
"Grookey says he's not a thief," Meowth said.
"But he's stolen a lot of stuff from trainers," James said.
"Grookey, Grookey," Grookey chattered.
"What did he say?" Jessie asked.
"Grookey says he didn't steal that stuff, just misplaced it as a prank," Meowth said.
Ash, Roan and Chloe had heard everything from the conversation between Team Rocket and Grookey.
"So Grookey is not a thief, he is just a little prankster," Chloe said.
"But then where did my hat go?" Ash asked.
"No idea, but we have to come up with something to save Grookey," Roan said.
"Let's listen to what else they have to say," Chloe said.
"Come on Grookey think again and join Team Rocket," Meowth said.
"You'll get your own line in the Team Rocket motto," Jessie said.
"Groo, Grookey," Grookey chattered.
"Hey that very rude thing to say," Meowth said.
"What he said?" James said.
"I better not translate that," Meowth said.
"That's it, if you don't join Team Rocket with your free will, then you will join against it," Jessie said, grabbing an empty Pokéball from her pocket.
Ash saw what Jessie was about to do and came up with something to stop her "VOLT TACKLE!" Ash shouted.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"Huh?" Team Rocket said.
Pikachu ran at Team Rocket with his Volt Tackle and hit Jessie's hand with his attack, causing her to drop the Pokéball from her hands.
"Ouch that hurt," Jessie said.
"That is Pikachu," James said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"I only know one Pikachu who has a VOLT TACKLE like that," Meowth said.
"That's enough Team Rocket," Ash said, as he and his friends came from behind the bushes.
"The twerps," Team Rocket said in unison.
"Let Grookey go," Roan said.
"I don't think so, this Grookey is going to be the newest member of Team Rocket," Jessie said.
"From what we understand, Grookey has no desire to join your stupid team," Chloe said.
"He just needs a little more time," Jessie said.
"If he had all the time in the world, this Grookey will never be a member of Team Rocket," Ash said.
"Is that what you think?" James asked.
"Yes, I really do, because I will personally see to that," Ash said. "Pikachu, Rookidee go!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu squeaked.
"Rookidee," Rookidee chirped.
James grabbed Cramorant's Pokéball. "Now Cramorant!" James said.
James summoned Cramorant, but Cramorant could not be found on the battlefield, but he in at James' nose.
"Not again," Meowth said.
"You gotta be kidding me," Jessie said.
"We've talked about this many times Cramorant, stop attacking me," James said.
"Cramorant," Cramorant quaked.
"Pikachu use VOLT TACKLE and Rookidee POWER TRIP," Ash commanded.
"Wobbuffet use COUNTER!" Jessie commanded
"Wobbu," cried Wobbuffet as he used Counter and stopped the attacks of Pikachu and Rookidee.
"Pika," cried Pikachu.
"Rookidee," cried Pikachu.
"Oh no," Ash said.
"Yamper NUZZLE," Chloe commanded.
"Yamper," barked Yamper.
Yamper used his attack, although it didn't do much damage, but Yamper did manage to paralyze Wobbuffet.
"Wobbu," cried a paralyzed Wobbuffet.
"Yamper", barked Yamper.
"Good job Yamper," Chloe said.
Ash ran to Grookey and untied him. "You're free Grookey," Ash said.
"Grookey," chattered Grookey.
"Quick escape, we'll make sure Team Rocket won't come after you," Ash said.
"Groo," Grookey chattered.
Ash ran to Pikachu and Rookidee to make sure they were okay. Meanwhile, James' Cramorant attacked Yamper in the a sneaky attack.
"Yamp," cried Yamper.
"No Yamper," Chloe said.
"That is low Team Rocket, even for you," Roan said.
"And that is something we won't let you guys get away with," Ash said.
"Roan grabbed a Pokéball. "Exactly, go Toxel…," Roan began, ready to summon his Toxel.
"Grookey!" Chattered Grookey, who just came out of nowhere.
"It's Grookey!" Ash said.
Grookey grabbed his stick and hit Cramorant hard on the head and then he gave a hard slap under his beak,
"My Cramorant," James said.
"Grookey," Grookey chattered.
"Well done Grookey," Ash said, giving Grookey the thumbs up.
"Groo," Grookey chattered, giving Ash a thumbs up back.
"Cramorant get up and go fight," Jessie said.
"That's my Pokémon, only I tell him what to do," James aid.
"Then say that what he needs to do, like fight the Pokémon of the twerps" Meowth said.
"Why don't you go do something, you're a Pokémon," James said.
As Team Rocket continued to bicker with each other, Pikachu regained consciousness.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"Pikachu, are you okay?" Ash asked.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"Do you think you have enough energy to give Team Rocket one of your powerful THUNDERBOLTS?" Ash asked.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked, as he nodded his head.
"Oh I don't think so little twerp," Jessie said.
"We're going to get out of here," James said.
"Quick to the balloon," Meowth said.
Jessie grabbed Wobbuffet and James grabbed Cramorant and ran with Meowth towards the balloon and got in. But before they had a chance to turn on the flame in their balloon, Grookey threw his stick and it went right through the balloon.
"Our balloon," James said.
"We can't fly away anymore," Jessie said.
"Oh we will fly," Meowth said.
"But not the way we are going to enjoy," James said.
"I know how this is going to end," Jessie said.
"Now Pikachu use THUNDERBOLT!" Ash commanded.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu cried, releasing a powerful Thunderbolt
Pikachu's Thunderbolt hit Team Rocket and the trio blasted off into the sky.
"Thought we had finally found a perfect new member, turned out not to be," Jessie said.
"Maybe Grookey will change his mind one day," James said.
"You know what I would like to change?" Meowth asked.
"What?" James asked.
"This whole thing," Meowth answered.
"We're blasting off again!" Team Rocket screamed.
"Wobbuffet! Cried Wobbuffet.
Ash, Roan and Chloe watched as Team Rocket shot off further and further into the sky, until they were totally gone
"Once again, Team Rocket is defeated" Roan said.
"You did good, Pikachu and you too Rookidee," Ash said.
"Thank you for your help, Yamper," Chloe said.
"And thank you, Grookey," Ash said, as he turned around, but Grookey wasn't there. "Grookey?"
Ash looked around, but he couldn't Grookey see Grookey anywhere.
"Grookey is gone," Ash said.
"Where did he go?" Chloe asked.
"No idea," Ash said.
"Let's go back to camp, we've had a long day," Roan suggested.
Ash called Rookidee back to its Pokéball and he Roan and Chloe headed it back to the camp When they arrived back at the camp out of nowhere, Ash's hat fell to the ground.
"My hat," Ash said, as he grabbed of the ground and put it back on his head.
"Where did it come from?" Chloe asked.
"Grookey," chattered Grookey.
Ash and the rest looked up and saw Grookey sitting on a branch in the tree.
"It's Grookey," Roan said
"Thanks for returning my hat," Ash said.
"Grookey," Grookey chattered.
Grookey jumped off the branch and jumped on Ash's and started hitting his head again with his stick.
"Why do you keep doing that?" Ash asked.
"I guess because Grookey likes you, Ash," Chloe guessed.
"You think?" Ash asked.
"I think so indeed, Chloe said.
"Hey Grookey how about joining us? Ash asked.
"Groo? Grookey chattered.
"Would you like to be my Pokémon? Ash asked.
Grookey jumped off Ash's head, throwing his wand from hand to hand with a determined look in his eyes. "Grookey," chattered Grookey.
"You're not going down without a fight? Ash asked.
"Grookey," Grookey chattered
"Oh I like that," Ash said. "Now Pikachu!"
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"But Pikachu is an Electric Type, his attacks are not that strong against a Grass Type like Grookey," Roan said.
"At least his Electric attacks aren't," Chloe said.
"Pikachu QUICK ATTACK!" Ash commanded.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
With good amount speed Pikachu ran off, Grookey jumped up into the tree. Pikachu stopped running and looked up, Grookey grabbed his wand and jumped down and hit Pikachu on head with his wand.
"Pikachu!" Ash yelled.
"Pika!" Pikachu cried.
"Are you okay?" Ash asked.
Pikachu nodded his head. Grookey jumped back up the tree and was again ready to attack Pikachu with his stick again.
"Grookey," Grookey chattered.
"Pikachu use your tail and stop that attack," Ash commanded.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
Pikachu used his tail and stopped Grookey's attack, confusing Grookey in the process
"THUNDERBOLT," Ash commanded.
"Pikachu," Pikachu cried, as he used his Thunderbolt to electrocute Grookey.
"But Electric attacks don't have that much effect," Roan said.
"But maybe because it's a close range attack now, it does more," Chloe said.
"Watch out Pikachu, it looks like Grookey is going to attack again," Ash said.
"Grookey," Grookey chattered as he charged at Pikachu.
"I think Grookey is going for a SCRATCH," Chloe said.
"Pikachu jump up and use IRON TAIL," Ash said.
Pikachu jumped in the air and used his Iron Tail and hit Grookey full on the head.
"Now a QUICK ATTACK!" Ash commanded.
"Pika," Pikachu cried, using his Quick Attack and hit Grookey.
"Grookey," cried Grookey.
"Finish it off with THUNBERBOLT!" Ash commanded.
"Pikachu! Pikachu cried," using Thunderbolt.
Grookey was fully hit by Pikachu's Thunderbolt and fell down. Ash grabbed an empty Pokéball from his pocket.
"Go Pokéball," Ash said.
Ash threw the Pokéball at Grookey and he went in. Ash watched nervously as the Pokéball shook slowly, after three times the Pokéball stopped shaking and gave a light.
"Yes I did it, I got Grookey!" Ash cheered.
"Pi, Pikachu!" Pikachu squeaked cheering with his best friend.
Ash walked toward the Pokéball and picked it up off the ground.
"I have potion for Grookey, the heal him up a bit," Chloe said.
"Come on out Grookey," Ash said
Ash threw the Pokémon into the and summoned Grookey. Once out of the Pokéball, Grookey was immediately taken care of by Chloe.
"So now you will feel a lot better right away Grookey," Chloe said.
"Welcome to our group, Grookey," Roan said.
"I'm very happy to have you as one of my Pokémon, let's have some fun times together," Ash said.
"Grookey," Grookey chattered.
Grookey jumped on Ash's head again and hit his head with his stick again and this time Ash was bothered by it, knowing why Grookey does it
Ash caught his second Pokémon in Galar, the mischievous Grookey and this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.