Our heroes are still in Galar Mine No. 2. Slowly, everyone began to wake up.
"Good morning boys," Chloe said.
"Good morning Chloe," Roan said.
"Did everyone sleep well?" Chloe asked.
"Yeah, I didn't expect cave sleeping to be nice actually," Roan said.
"Didn't feel like we were sleeping in one, some how crystals shimmering looked like stars," Ash said.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"I'm gonna go start breakfast," Chloe said.
Ash picked up his Pokéballs. "Come on out!" He said and he summoned his Pokémon.
"It's time for breakfast," Roan said as he summoned his Pokémon.
"Come on," Chloe said summoning her Sobble.
"Guys I want to introduce you to Chewtle the newest member of our family," Ash said.
"Chewtle," Chewtle snapped.
All the Pokémon were very nice to Chewtle and welcomed him to the group.
"Okay let's all get everything ready, then I will finish breakfast faster," Chloe said.
"Come guys get going," Ash said.
Everyone helped set up for breakfast. And as soon as Chloe was ready, the trainers joined their Pokémon for breakfast.
"So what's the plan for today?" Roan asked.
"If we keep moving, I think we can get out of the mine before nightfall," Chloe said.
"Which means we'll get to Motostoke sooner for my Gym Challenge," Ash said.
After breakfast, Ash, Roan and Chloe got ready to move on again. All the stuff where cleaned up.
"Okay everybody return to your Pokéball," Ash said as he called his Pokémon back.
"Time to go again," Roan said as he called back his Pokémon.
"Sobble return," Chloe said returning Sobble to his Pokéball.
"Everyone ready to go?" Ash asked.
"Yes," Roan said.
"All right, let's go," Ash said.
Ash, Roan and Chloe began walking. On their way out, they ran into a boy and a girl, who looked a bit older then they do
"Hello there," the boy said.
"Hi," Chloe said.
"Who are you guys?" Ash asked.
"I'm Evan and this is Tori," Evan said.
"Hi," Tori said as she waved at Ash," Roan en Chloe.
"And who are you guys?" Evan asked.
"I'm Ash and this is my buddy Pikachu," Ash said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"I'm Roan," Roan said.
"And my name is Chloe and this is Yamper," Chloe said.
"Yamper," Yamper barked.
"Nice to meet you all," Evan said.
"What are you guys doing here?" Roan asked.
"Evan is looking for a certain Pokémon," Tori said.
"Tori don't say anything about it," Evan said.
"Evan, don't start overreacting," Tori said.
"We don't know these people, they'll turn out to be thieves and all this will have been for nothing,' Evan said.
"We're not thieves," Ash said.
"Yeah, and we're definitely not stealing Pokémon," Roan said.
"Sorry about my friend," Tori said.
"It's okay," Chloe said.
"What are you looking for? Maybe we can help," Ash said.
"Okay, I'll tell you only if you promise not to be steal it," Evan said.
"We promise," Roan said.
"I'm looking for the Ruby Shuckle," Evan said.
"The Ruby Shuckle?" Chloe asked.
"A Shuckle?" Roan asked, he grabbed his Rotom-Phone and opened up his Pokédex
Shuckle, the Mold Pokémon. It stores berries inside its shell. To avoid attacks, it hides beneath rocks.
"And it lives here?" Ash asked.
"Evan thinks so," Tori said.
"I don't think so, I'm sure, I've seen it myself," Evan said.
"Evan you were here in the mine because some guys challenged you," Tori said.
"And then I saw him," Evan said.
"You were young and scared, so it's no wonder you imagine things that aren't there," Tori said.
"I didn't imagine that Shuckle," Evan said, he turned to Ash and the others. "You believe me right?"
"I believe you," Ash said.
"Thank you," Evan said, he turne back to Tori. "He believes me, then why can't you as my best friend?"
"Evan no one believes the story of the Ruby Shuckle," Tori said.
"Krista believes it," Evan said.
"She doesn't," Tori said.
"I'm gonna prove everybody wrong, I'm gonna find the Ruby Shuckle," Evan said.
"Can I just ask, what exactly is the Ruby Shuckle?" Chloe asked.
"It's a Shuckle but its shell is a big ruby," Evan explained.
"Whoa, that's cool," Roan said.
"I'm gonna help you find the Shuckle," Ash said.
"Yeah, me too, Roan said.
"Thank you guys," Evan said and he started walking. "Let's go find the Ruby Shuckle!"
Ash and Roan walked after Evan further into the mine. Tori shook her head and walked behind the boys, Chloe walked beside her.
"Why don't you believe Evan?" Chloe asked Tori.
"Trust me, I want to believe him, he is my best friend and I just don't want him to be disappointed," Tori said.
"Who is this Krista?" Chloe asked.
"That's who the person he is trying to find the Ruby Shuckle for," Tori said.
"Is she his girlfriend?" Chloe asked.
"No, she is not, but he hopes that when he finds the Shuckle that she will be," Tori said.
"It sounds like you don't really like this Krista," Chloe said.
"I don't like her, She's a spoiled girl who takes advantage of Evan's crush on her to get things," Tori said.
"And you don't like her because you like Evan more than just a friend?" Chloe asked.
Tori began to blush. "That might have something to do with it, too," she said.
"Then why don't you tell him you like him?" Chloe asked.
"I can't, he doesn't like me that way and I don't want to ruin our friendship," Tori said.
"I understand that," Chloe said.
"You won't tell Evan?" Tori asked.
"I promise I won't tell," Chloe said.
"Thank you, Chloe," Tori said.
The five trainers walked further into the mine. Team Rocket had been spying on Ash and co and so had heard everything.
"A Shuckle whose shield was made of a ruby," James said.
"This does sound like a very special Shuckle," Jessie said.
"It must be worth a lot of money," Meowth said.
"Let's catch this Shuckle," Jessie said.
"Yes, and then we'll give it to the boss," Meowth said.
"I feel a fantasy coming up," James said.
"Here it goes," Meowth said.
Team Rocket Fantasy:
Meowth: "The boss is in his vault looking at all the jewels he has and he is no longer interested in them. He has seen all those jewels so many times and he finds them boring. Then we give him the Ruby Shuckle and that becomes his new favorite jewel and then he says."
Giovanni: "Thanks to Meowth and his friends have a very special Pokémon and also one of the most magnificent, for this I will reward them by giving all my old jewels to them."
"The boss's jewels for us," Jessie said.
"We'll be rich," James said.
"The richest members Team Rocket has ever had," Meowth said.
"We need to catch this Shuckle as soon as possible," Jessie said.
"And we need to make sure those twerps don't get in our way," James said.
"Oh, I got a solution for that," Meowth said.
"Let me guess, a trap?" James guessed.
"You've got that right," Meowth said.
"Then let's go, we've got a lot to do," James said.
Team Rocket followed Ash and co into the mine.
After nearly searching for two-hour, there was still no trace of the Ruby Shuckle.
"We haven't found anything yet," Roan said.
"We're going to find it I'm sure," Evan said.
"I hope so soon, I'm starting to get hungry," Ash said.
Chloe took her bag off and put it down on the ground. "I can make something quick," she said. "You guys want to join us for lunch?"
"That would be nice, I didn't bring anything to eat," Evan said.
"I'll help you Chloe," Tori said.
Tori walked over to Chloe and together they prepared lunch. After half an hour, lunch was ready.
"Thank you for lunch Chloe," Evan said.
"It was no problem and I had Tori helping me," Chloe said.
"Let's go and look for the Ruby Shuckle again," Evan said.
"Do we really have to?" Chloe asked.
"You sound just like Tori now," Evan said. "Let me guess. You don't believe me, do you?"
"It's not that I don't believe you, I just wonder if this is a good idea," Chloe said.
"What do you mean Chloe?" Roan asked.
"What do you think is going to happen when that Shuckle gives it to Krista? Chloe asked.
"She's going to use it," Evan said.
"As a Pokémon partner or for something else," Chloe pointed out.
"I get where Chloe is going, she must want that Shuckle for the right reasons," Ash said.
"Yes and not to use as an object," Roan said.
"That's something she would do, she'll do anything to get a lot of attention," Tori said.
"And if she really liked you, she wouldn't let you do something like this anyway," Chloe said.
"Exactly, finally someone who agrees with me," Tori said.
"Maybe you guys are right," Evan said.
"Thank you for finally listening," Tori said.
"Oh but I'm not gonna give up looking," Evan said.
"Why?" Tori asked.
"Because I'm still going to prove to you that he exists," Evan said.
After they finished lunch, they returned to the search for the Ruby Shuckle. Suddenly the ground disappeared and everyone fell into a pit.
"What was that?" Tori asked.
"We fell into a pit," Evan asked.
"But how did it get here so suddenly?" Tori asked.
"We know the answer to that," Chloe said.
"Hello, twerps," Team Rocket said in unison.
"There's our answer," Ash 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.
"Who are they? Evan asked.
"Didn't you listen to our motto? We are Team Rocket, Meowth said.
"That Meowth can talk, Tori said.
"Don't be impressed by that, he's one of the bad guys, Chloe said.
"Let me guess, you're after the Ruby Shuckle, Roan said.
"No, we..., Jessie began. What makes you think that?
"You guys are predictable, Roan said.
"We're not," Jessie said.
"Yes, you're," Roan said.
"No, we're not, Jessie said.
"Then tell us what you are after," Roan said.
"We want to catch the Ruby Shuckle," Jessie said.
"Told you so, you're predictable," Roan said.
"Annoying little twerp," Jessie said.
"It doesn't matter that you know what we're up to," James said.
"We're going to catch that Shuckle," Meowth said.
"And you won't stop us," Jessie said.
Team Rocket lit the smoke bombs and the pit filled with smoke.
"I can't see a thing," Ash said.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"What should we do now?" Roan asked.
Ash grabbed Corvisquire's Pokéball and threw it up. "Corvisquire help us!" He said.
"Corvisquire," Corvisquire crowed.
"Get that smoke out of here!" Ash commanded.
Corvisquire flapped his wings and the smoke slowly began to dissipate. Ash and the rest climbed out of the pit.
"Thank you for your help Corvisquire," Ash said.
"Cor," Corvisquire crowed.
"Return," Ash said as he called Corvisquire back to his Pokéball.
"Where is Tori?" Evan asked.
"She's not here?" Chloe asked.
"No," Evan said.
"She's not in the pit yet either," Roan said, looking into the pit only for him to see that Tori wasn't there.
"Maybe she got away and went after Team Rocket," Ash said.
Evan Rotom Phone gin off, he looked and saw Tori calling him and he answered.
"Tori," Evan said.
"Wrong guess," Jessie said.
"You guys again," Evan said.
"Team Rocket," Ash, Roan and Chloe said.
"What are you doing with Tori phone?" Evan asked.
"Here's why," James said.
Team Rocket turned the phone toward Tori, who was tied up.
"As you can see, we got her," Meowth said.
"What do you guys want?" Evan asked.
"You know quite well what we want," Jessie said.
"The Ruby Shuckle," Evan said.
"That's is the right answer," Meowth said.
"So we'll do a trade, you give us the Ruby Chuckle and you get your friend back," James said.
"But I don't have the Ruby Shuckle," Evan said.
"Then I'd better go find it soon," Jessie said.
"But...," Evan said, but he was cut off by Team Rocket.
"Bye, bye," Team Rocket said.
"No, wait!" Evan said.
Team Rocket had hung up the phone.
"I'm going to find that Shuckle," Evan said.
"Evan you can't give that Shuckle to Team Rocket," Ash said.
"I don't have a choice," Evan said.
"Okay look, yeah Team Rocket are criminals," Chloe said.
"A bunch of annoying criminals," Roan said.
"But one thing I know about them, they're not so bad that they'll hurt Tori," Chloe said.
"Then what should we do?" Evan asked.
"We go find them," Chloe said.
"How are we ever going to find them this mine is so big," Evan said.
"Do you maybe have something that belongs to Tori?" Chloe said.
"I think so," Evan said, he opened his bag and searched it.
"You're gonna use Yamper to track her," Ash said.
"Yep," Chloe said.
"Yamper," Yamper barked.
"Here, this is hers," Evan said, he gave Chloe a bandanna that belongs to Tori's
Thanks," Chloe said, she knelt down next to Yamper. Yamper track Tori down.
Yamper smelled bandanna from Tower and tried to track down her scent.
"Yamper," Yamper barked.
"He traced her scent," Chloe said.
"He did?" Evan asked.
"Yes, Yamper take us to her," Chloe said.
Yamper nodded his head. "Yamper," he barked.
Yamper began to follow the scent and the others ran after him.
"I really hope so much that Tori is okay," Evan said.
"She'll be fine, we'll save her," Ash said.
"She's one of the most important people in my life and I let her down," Evan said.
"No you didn't," Roan said.
"I should have listened to her, I got her kidnapped," Evan said.
"This is not your fault," Ash said.
"I still don't understand why she went with me," Evan said. "She doesn't believe in the Ruby Shuckle."
"Because she cares about you very much," Chloe said.
"I care about her too she's my best friend," Evan said and then he began to realize. "Wait do you mean care about me more than just a friend?"
"Yes," Chloe said.
"How could I not have seen that?" Evan asked.
"Because you were only interested in Krista," Roan said.
"I really am an idiot," Evan said.
"When it comes to love, people often become idiots," Chloe said.
"I don't know what you mean," Ash said. "What's going on here?"
"Oh Ash never mind," Chloe said. "What about you?"
"I don't know," Evan said. "All I know now is that I don't want to lose Tori."
As Ash and the others walked through the mine looking for Team Rocket, Team Rocket was further up in the mine eating some food.
"Soon we will have that Ruby Shuckle," Jessie said.
"That's never going to happen," Tori said.
"And what makes you think that?" James asked.
"Because the Ruby Shuckle doesn't exist," Tori said. "And even if it does, there's no way Evan's giving it to you."
"You think so?" James asked.
"Yes, I think so," Tori said.
"Well, we'll see," Meowth said.
Ash, Roan, Chloe and Evan arrived at the place where Team Rocket was.
"There they are," Evan aid.
"Good job Yamper," Chloe said.
"Yamper," Yamper barked.
"Okay what's the plan Chloe?" Ash asked.
"Why are you asking me?" Chloe asked.
"You're usually the one who comes up with the plan," Ash said.
"I don't have a plan right now," Chloe said.
"I have a plan," Roan said.
"What is it, Roan?" Ash asked.
"We need Pikachu for this one," Roan said.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"And he can't be seen," Roan said.
"Pikachu?" Pikachu squeaked.
Roan told the others his plan. It was time for action and Ash and the others walked toward Team Rocket.
"We are here," Ash said.
"Good," Jessie said.
"Give us the Shuckle," Meowth said.
"And you'll get your little friend back," James said.
"I don't have the Shuckle," Evan said.
"But we had a deal," Jessie said.
"I don't make deals with kidnappers," Evan said, he grabbed one of his Pokéballs and summoned his Pokémon. "Now Falinks!"
"Falinks," Falinks cried.
"What kind of Pokémon is that?" Ash asked, he grabbed his Rotom-Phone and looked up the Pokémon.
Falinks has a leader called the brass, and five followers called troopers. The brass gives all the remains completely still.
"So you want to fight?" Jessie asked.
"Oh yeah, I'll do battle with you," Evan said.
"Then you can have it," Jessie said, she grabbed Hatenna's Pokéball. "Go Hatenna!"
"Hat," Hatenna cried.
"Cramorant go and battle, James said as he summoned Cramorant, but once Cramorant appeared it bit James' nose. "Stop attacking me!"
"Wobbufett you're going to help too," Jessie said.
"Wobbu," Wobbufett cried.
"Three against one isn't fair," Ash said.
"We're evil, we never play fair," Jessie said.
"I'm not gonna sit still," Ash said, he grabbed one of his Pokéballs and tossed it. "Chewtle I choose you!"
"Chewtle," Chewtle snapped.
"I'm going to make it an even fight," Roan said and he summoned his Toxel. "Now Toxel."
"Toxel," Toxel hissed.
"Three against three," Ash said.
"Let's see what you can do," James said.
"Oh I will!" Evan said. "Falinks use BRICK BREAK!"
Falinks went at the Hatenna and hit her with it's attack.
"Hatenna pull yourself together and use PSYBEAM," Jessie commanded
"Dodge it," Evan commanded.
Falinks managed to dodge the attack. While the others fought with Team Rocket, Pikachu snuck towards Tori.
"Pikachu," Tori said.
Pikachu put his finger in front of his mouth. "Pika," he squeaked.
"I get it," Tori said. "Thank you for coming to free me."
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
Pikachu tried to untie the rope but he couldn't get it loose.
"You must think of something else to free me," Tori said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
Pikachu used his Iron Tail and cut the rope. Tori was free, she retrieved the Pokéball that Team Rocket took from her and walked toward the others.
"I've come to help you," Tori said.
"How did you get free?" James asked.
"I had help," Tori said and she gestured to Pikachu.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"Oh this whole fight was a distraction," Jessie said.
"Ding, ding," Roan said.
Tori tossed her Pokéball and summoned her Pokémon. "Hattrem now!" She said.
"Hatrem," Hatrem cried.
"A Hatrem," Chloe said, she took out her Rotom-Phone. "What does the Pokédex say about that."
Hattrem, the Serene Pokémon. A Psychic type, and the evolved form of Hatenna. When it comes across anyone exuding strong emotions, it will use its braids to beat them up with the strength of a pro boxer.
"You dirty copycat," Jessie said.
"Who are you calling a copycat," Tori said.
"Hatenna show what you can do and use PSYBEAM," Jessie commanded.
"Dodge the attack and use BRUTAL SWING," Tori commanded.
Hattrem managed to dodge Hatenna's attack and hit her with her Brutal Swing attack, knocking her out instantly.
"Oh no, Hatenna,' Jessie said. "James do something."
"Cramorant use PECK," James commanded.
"Falinks dodge and use and use HEADBUTT," Evan commanded.
Falinks dodged Cramorant's attack and then used Headbutt against him, taking out Cramorant.
"Cramorant no!" James yelled.
"It's over for you Team Rocket," Chloe said.
"Pikachu are you ready?" Ash asked.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"Okay then use THUNDERBOLT," Ash commanded
Pikachu used his Thunderbolt on Team Rocket and they were blown out of the mine.
"We lost again to those annoying twerps," Jessie said.
"Why does this keep happening to us?" Meowth asked.
"Because we don't do anything," James said.
"Except for this," Meowth said.
"We're blasting off again!" Team Rocket screamed.
"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet cried.
Team Rocket disappeared into the sky.
"Tori are you all right?" Evan asked.
"I'm fine Evan," Tori said.
"I was so worried about you," Evan said, he pulled Tori in for a hug. "Tori I'm sorry it was because of me that Team Rocket captured you."
"It's not your fault, Evan, and I knew you'd save me," Tori said.
"You're the most important person in my life. I didn't want to lose you," Evan said.
Suddenly there was a sound, the sound of a Pokémon cry. Ash and Co turned to where the cry was coming from and that's when they saw the Ruby Shuckle.
"But that's the...," Chloe said, she couldn't finish her sentence as she was at a lost for words.
"The Ruby Shuckle," Ash said.
"So it really exists," Roan said.
"Evan, now is your chance, catch it," Tori said.
"No, I'm not going to do that," Evan said.
"But if you catch it, you can be with Krista, which is what you've always wanted," Tori said.
"But not anymore. I'm gonna realize there's someone much more amazing than her. Krista is nothing compared to her," Evan asked.
"Really?" Tori asked.
"Yes, I've just been so blind all this time that I didn't see that person was always with me," Evan said.
Tori's cheeks were turning red from blushing. "Do you really mean that?"
"So how about once we get out of here that you and I...," Evan began, but he didn't need to finish his question.
"I would love that," Tori said.
"I'm glad they found each other," Chloe said.
"So am I," Roan said.
"I still don't get it," Ash said.
"Oh Ash," Chloe sighed.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"Thanks for everything, for helping me find the Ruby Shuckle and for saving Tori," Evan said.
"No need to thank us," Ash said.
"It was nice meeting you," Chloe said.
"Likewise," Tori said.
"And maybe we'll see each other again," Roan said.
"Yeah, I hope so, too," Evan said.
Ash, Roan and Chloe said goodbye to Evan and Tori and walked toward the exit of the Mine.
Thanks to a little side adventure made Ash, Roan and Chloe some new friends again. And now they are once again continuing their journey.