"Why, are you two, always, running?" Rosa said catching her breath.
"How else are we supposed to get to our next stop?" Ash questioned.
"By, walking!" Rosa said angrily.
"Well we're here, and the farmer said there were people that kidnapped some Pokemon." Ash said.
"Are you two here about the kidnappers?" An adult woman said.
"Yes, what can you tell us?" Ash asked.
"This is the only exit by land or water, so they must still be somewhere in the property or surrounding woods." The woman said.
"Woods mean they might be able to escape." Ash said. "Wait Rosa does Lillipup have a good sense of smell?"
"I mean probably, why?" Rosa asked.
"All this area, having a lead might be useful. And if he can sniff out the thief that's as good of a lead as we can get." Ash reminded.
"Right, right." Rosa said.
"Can you tell us about the Pokemon they took?" Ash asked, as the farmer husband got something for Lillipup to smell.
"It was my Herdier, they were going on and on about freeing them from slavery." The woman said.
"Slavery, like they work on the farm?" Ash asked.
"A bit, but they're also our pets." The woman said.
"Okay, we'll look for them, thank you for the information." Ash said, once Rosa's Lillipup had the scent.
"Bwarp!" Lillipup barked, running into the fields.
"Why are we always running!" Rosa complained, chasing after Ash and Lillipup.
A bit of running through the fields and into some trees later, Ash held out his hand, stopping Rosa.
"What are you doing, first we run now we stop?!" Rosa ranted.
"Shhh." Ash shushed, pointing to two people in white and grey uniforms trying to wrestle a Pokemon. "I bet that's them."
"And what's your plan, there's two of them and one of you." Rosa hissed.
"No there's two of us, now come on!" Ash angrily whispered, emerging from the bushes. "You two let go of that Pokemon!" Ash exclaimed.
"Look kid, we're freeing this Pokemon from its chains of humanity, you need to stay out of this." One of the people said.
"Not likely, Pikachu let's show them how we handle mooks like them." Ash said confidently.
"Very well, but only to get you off of my back. Dunsparce come out!" The first person said.
"Sunkern let's go!"
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" Ash called out.
"Pi! Kaaa! CHUUUU!" Pikachu exclaimed sending a bolt of electricity through the two opposing Pokemon.
"Sunkern use Growth!"
"Dunsparce use Rage!"
Dunsparce charged at Pikachu knocking him back a surprising amount.
"Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed.
"Oh no. Pikachu must still be exhausted from earlier!" Rosa said worriedly, revealing her position.
"Another! Sunkern hit them with an Absorb!"
"Rosa look out!" Ash exclaimed, pushing her and Lillipup out of the way. "Either get out of here or help! Pikachu use Volt Tackle!"
"Dunsparce use Rage again!"
"Sunkern use Growth!"
Dunsparce and Pikachu collided with each other as the Sunkern took in more energy.
"Ash, Pikachu isn't looking too good." Rosa commented.
"We've got this Pikachu use Iron Tail!" Ash called out.
"Sunkern use Absorb!"
"Dunsparce use Rage!"
Pikachu leapt at Dunsparce the two colliding once more, leaving Pikachu weak on the ground as Sunkern approached.
"Once we win we will show your Pikachu true freedom!" One of the people said. "Sunkern full power Absorb!"
"Suuuuun." Sunkern said eagerly.
"Olu!" A Pokemon shouted, a blue blur striking the Sunkern and freezing it.
"What in the? What is that?" Rosa asked.
"Ri!" The Pokemon said, standing between Pikachu and the Dunsparce, a red scarf around its neck.
"That's a Riolu!" Ash exclaimed.
"Ri." The Riolu said checking on Pikachu as the electric type stood back up.
"Alright Pikachu let's send them home! Use Thunderbolt!" Ash called out.
The Riolu rushed forward, striking both Dunsparce and Sunkern back to the trainers before Pikachu struck them with a bolt of electricity sending the group flying.
"That was amazing Riolu, thanks for the help." Ash said, walking over to the kidnapped Pokemon. "It's alright buddy, we're taking you back to your family now."
"Herd!" The Pokemon said with a woof.
"Bwarp!" Lillipup barked, wagging his tail in response.
Back at the farm
"Oh Herdier, thank you for bringing him back to us." The woman said.
"Don't mention it, besides if it wasn't for your Riolu we would never have been able to rescue them." Ash said, looking at Riolu.
"That's, not our Riolu." The male farmer said.
"Then where did it come from?" Ash wondered aloud.
"PSS." Rosa said, checking the scarf. "I recognize that label, it's from PokeStar Studios!"
"Poke what now?" Ash asked.
"It's a big movie company, their main theater and lot is nearby, he's probably an actor Pokemon that got lost." Rosa said.
"How nearby is nearby?" Ash asked.
"It's about a days walk from town." The male farmer said.
"Well Riolu don't worry, we'll bring you home no problem." Ash said.
"Olu!" Riolu said angrily, pushing against Ash, a yellow spark going between them for just a moment.
"We're trying to help you!" Ash argued.
"Ri!" Riolu said, taking a fighting stance.
"Alright then if that's how it is. Pikachu you still good?" Ash asked.
"Pi!" Pikachu exclaimed.
"Alright then! Pikachu use Iron Tail!"
Pikachu spun around, striking Riolu with his tail, pushing the fighting type back.
"Rio!" Riolu exclaimed, pushing Pikachu back.
"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu sped back at Riolu, slamming into the fighting type.
"Riolu!" Riolu called out, sending a freezing punch at Pikachu, only for sparks to travel up his body.
"Wait what was that?" Rosa asked confused.
"Pikachu's special ability, static." Ash said, walking over to Riolu. "Got that out of your system now?"
"Ri." Riolu said weakly.
"Alright, come on." Ash said, lifting Riolu up as a Pokeball fell out of the borrowed backpack, rolling into Riolu, engulfing it in a red light.
'Ding ding ding.'
"Wait, why did that catch him?" Ash asked in confusion.
"We can ask more when we get to the studio." Rosa said.
"Right, maybe he ran away or found that scarf." Ash said.
"Or he stole it." Rosa pointed out.
"I don't think so, that's odd for a Riolu." Ash reminded. "For now let's get him and Pikachu back to the Pokemon Center for the night.
Ash's Current Team and Their Moves
Pikachu: Quick Attack - Thunderbolt - Iron Tail - Volt Tackle
Riolu: Force Palm - Ice Punch