Chapter 45: Facing the Music

After saying their goodbyes to Sonia, the trio headed for the next town, which was the port town of Hulbury. On their way, they passed through a thick forest. Lillie groaned as they shoved thorny branches out of their way, doing her best to shield Snowy from harm.

"Ack! I hope we reach Hulbury soon. I'd forgotten how much of a nuisance forests could be."

"Vul!"

"Don't worry Lillie, according to the map we should be almost there."

"Shh! Keep it down! If there's any Pokemon around here, I don't want you scaring them off!"

Ash and Lillie just rolled their eyes. Of course catching Pokemon was the first thing on Goh's mind. Suddenly, just as they were approaching the exit, they heard a noise not far off in the distance.

"Hold on. Can you guys hear music?"

"Yeah, now that you mention it, I can."

"Me too. Where could it be coming from?"

With only one way to find out, the three of them followed the sound to find an odd sight in a small clearing. The small area was full of apelike Pokemon. They recognized a couple of Grookey, but the rest were compiled of what they could only assume were Grookey's evolved forms. Curious, Goh took out his Rotomphone and scanned the unknown Pokemon for more information.

"Thwackey, The Beat Pokemon, and the evolved form of Grookey. The faster a Thwackey can beat out a rhythm with its two sticks, the more respect it wins from its peers. Rillaboom,The Drummer Pokemon, and the final evolved form of Grookey. By drummin, it taps into the power of its special tree stump. The roots of the stump follow its direction in battle."

"Wow! That's amazing!"

"Shh, guys! Listen."

Ash and Goh stayed perfectly still, listening to the music the Grass Types were making. It was so beautiful, they couldn't help but feel relaxed. Just then, Ash noticed something off not too far away.

A little Thwackey sitting far away from the rest, dejectedly drumming on anything it could find with a lone stick Curious, Ash approached the little guy, Goh and Lillie soon following.

"Hey there, Thwackey. Whatcha doin?"

Thwackey grunted, gesturing to his lone stick. Recalling what the Rotomphone had said about the species, Ash got the message.

."Where's your other stick?"

Thwackey looked down dejectedly.

"Oh, you don't have one, huh?"

"Thwackey."

"Well, why don't we help you look for it? I'm sure it couldn't be that hard to find, right guys?"

"Right! If all four of us look together, we'll find one in no time! RIght, Goh?"

Goh was about to comment on how unlikely the odds of success were, but the pleading look from Thwackey made him change his mind.

"Yeah, it shouldn't take more than an hour, maybe."

Thwackey chirped happily, and the four of them went off in search of his missing instrument. Pikachu and Snowy helped as well, sniffing and digging at the earth in hopes of finding it. But after an hour of trying with no luck, they had to give up hope.

"I'm guessing you guys didn't have any luck either?"

"None. Raboot and I searched all over!"

"Raboot!"

Thwackey looked down dejectedly. Ash patted the Pokemon on the back sympathetically.

"Cheer up, Thwackey. Maybe we can find something else for you to use!"

But all of their attempts were in vain. Spoons, different sticks, even empty bottles provided no positive results. Thwackey threw the items to the ground in a fit of rage, chattering crossly as Pikachu and Raboot tried to console him.

"I don't get it. Why can't anything work?"

"I don't know. Maybe he just doesn't have any musical talent?"

Enraged by the accusation, Thwackey pounced on Goh, hitting him on the head with his stick.

"OW! I'm sorry, I-OW! I just thought that-OW! Quit that!"

While Thwackey assaulted Goh, Ash got an idea.

"Wait a minute, I've got it! Maybe he doesn't need another instrument! Maybe he can make it work with just the one!"

"Huh? Are you sure?"

"Think about it! Maybe he doesn't have two because one is all he needs!"

"I guess it's worth a shot. What do you say, Thwackey?"

Thwackey was hesitant at first, but nodded in agreement.

"Alright, go knock them dead!"

Thwackey nervously approached the large group, who stopped their playing to watch him curiously. Taking a deep breath, the mid stage began to play. Slowly at first, but soon he found his rhythm and began beating on the trees and branches wildly, creating his own melody. Once he had tired himself out, he stopped and looked towards his peers for approval.

At first, there was silence, making him worried. Then, they began to clap. Slowly at first, but soon it turned into an uproar as they applauded him. Tired but triumphant, Thwackey took a bow.

Off to the side, Ash, Goh, and Lillie watched the whole concert with smiles on their faces.

"Well, that worked out well."
"I must say, Ash, you have a way with Pokemon."

"What can I say, it's a gift."

A while later, they found the exit to the forest.

"Alright, Hulbury should be right up ahead."

"Great! I can't wait to check it out!"

"Thwackey!"

Before they could walk towards the town, the little grass type they had helped out ran up to Ash, giving him a pleading look.

"What's up, Thwackey? Do you want to join my team?"

"Wackey!"

"Alright then! Pokeball, go!"

Ash gently tapped an empty Pokeball against Thwackey's head, catching him with ease.

"Alright, I just caught a Thwackey!"

"Pika Pika!"

"Whatever, just keep that menace away from me!"

"Oh come on, Goh! You know you love him!"

"I'd like him alot more if he wouldn't poke me with his stick!"

"Well, don't insult his musical talent!"

Lillie just sighed, shaking her head as the two bickered.

"Boys."