Story: Help! Thief!

Help! Thief!
Quest Type Story (Standard) Quest Giver Mary or Jordan Location(s) Route 1 Reward N/A Preceded By Story: Gotta Catch 'em All! Followed By Story: Meetup

Story: Help! Thief! is the third Story Quest of the game. It is preceded by Story: Gotta Catch 'em All!, and is immediately followed by Story: Meetup‏‎. In this quest, the player helps Mary/Jordan get their Pokémon back from a Pichu. This quest can be obtained either by completing Story: Go to the Clearing as intended, or by proceeding directly to Route 1 after leaving Professor Spruce's Lab. Should the player ignore their rival in the previous quest and continue to Route 1, Pichu will run past them. Mary/Jordan will catch up to the player, and scold them for not going to the clearing. Afterward, they'll inform the player that the Pichu stole their Pokémon, and asks for their help.

Pichu attempts to hide from the player four times in Route 1. The first time, it hides in the grass near a Repel. An old man sitting on a bench near the exit to Shardil Town will point the player towards it. After being discovered, it will run off towards its next hiding spot.

It will then attempt to hide below a rock. A nearby Hiker will give you a vague hint towards its hiding spot before carrying on with his business.

After being discovered, it will attempt to hide behind a lamppost. A nearby Ranger will point you towards its hiding spot (while also slightly breaking the fourth wall).

Its fourth and final hiding spot will be behind a rock. While there are no NPCs to hint towards its hiding spot, its ears stick out enough to make it noticeable. After being discovered here, it will run to the west. At this point, Mary/Jordan will follow after it.

Following them will lead to the player and their friend seeing Pichu handing the stolen Poké Ball to a man dressed in a white uniform. Following the scene of the man talking to both the Pichu and his Geodude, the player and their friend approach the trio. The man eventually reveals himself as Kaden of the villainous Team Rocket, and refuses to hand Mary/Jordan's Pokémon back to them. The player then battles Kaden in an attempt to get back their friend's Pokémon.

Trainers

Trainer Sprite	Trainer Name	Pokémon	Pokémon	Pokémon	Pokémon	Pokémon	Pokémon
	Team Rocket? Kaden Normal Mode	Pichu 4 no item	Geodude 4 no item	Magikarp 5 no item	Tangela 4 no item	--	--
		Static Thunder Shock Charm Tail Whip --	Rock Head Tackle Defense Curl Mud Sport --	Swift Swim Splash -- -- --	Chlorophyll Ingrain Constrict Sleep Powder --	--	--
	Team Rocket? Kaden Hard Mode	Pichu 4 no item	Geodude 4 no item	Magikarp Altaran 5 no item	Tangela 4 no item	--	--
		Static Thunder Shock Charm Tail Whip --	Sturdy Tackle Defense Curl Mud Sport --	Moxie Splash -- -- --	Snare Ingrain Constrict Sleep Powder --	--	--

Upon defeat, Kaden, Pichu, and Geodude will fly off toward the north, dropping Mary/Jordan's Poké Ball. After getting it back, the two are greeted by Rhodie, who berates the two on their search. While he does notice the player's potential, he affirms his strength over the two (especially Mary/Jordan) and warns the player to prepare for their next encounter before leaving.

The player and Mary/Jordan relocate to the exit to Granite Town. Mary/Jordan will decide to take a break before leaving Granite, and ask the player to meet them in Granite's east gate when they're ready to leave.