To say the recent events within Melemele, Akala, and Ula'ula weren't anything to fuss over would be seriously undermining the chaos and is currently and WILL be pursuing in the approaching future. In a region of bustling activity, island challenges, and scientific research of creatures far from our own home, there was something that... felt off. Like, something was missing in the daily life of Professor Kukui's class. Things felt too peaceful and good for their own good for Ash, like there was something on the back of his mind that's been bugging him for a while. 'What felt so off?' He wondered to himself while training his Pokémon, studying, eating, and walking along the road of Melemele Island. The thought that whatever could possibly be missing in the puzzle of his life wasn't anything that could be deemed as good. If only he knew the piece that was missing in his daily life was Team Rocket, who haven't caused any sort of mischief or illegal activity for a hot minute.

What could be the possible explanation for their long and unnoticeable absence? Are they plotting something BIG? Have Jessie, James, and Meowth caught a bad sickness and required a long recovery? Did they finally give up after twenty years of failure? The answer for their disappearance might surprise you and even ask, 'why haven't they thought of this sooner??' While resting within the den of Bewear after a near-death experience involving moving trucks, they couldn't help but understand just how the twerps manage to overpower them every single heist.

"If we don't find whatever method they use to make their Pokémon so strong, we won't be stealing the twerps blind with giant machines alone," Jessie said while laying on the ground, surrounded by a pile of berries Bewear frequently brings the group, helping herself to a Sitrus Berry.

Both James and Meowth sat around considering what was the key to their impressive strength. It couldn't be through the sheer luck of catching OP Pokémon on their first try, it's impossible and extremely unlikely. The ones they carried weren't weak by any means, Mimikyu gave Ash's Pikachu a run for its money, and Rockruff sure held its ground against the twerps.

"If the Pokémon themselves aren't a considerable possibility, then what could it be?" James scratched his head before reaching his hand out for an Oran Berry, out of nowhere, Jessie tilted her head down to Meowth who was eating a Pecha Berry, and asked him what he thought about the strange difference in the power difference between them and the twerps. He shot her a look for his reaction, it's not like he had the answer to their troubles, so his reply ended with a shrug.

"I may be a Pokémon, but I'm not one to have the answers for these types of questions and situations! I don't have the solution..."

After one big sigh, the thinking caps were back on the heads of Team Rocket. Arms were crossed and a long minute of concentration ensued was quickly interrupted by an approaching figure. The quacking footsteps hinted at Bewear's return, its large arms carrying a surplus of berries, plopping them on the floor, joining the group on whatever they were doing.

"Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-!"

The four nearly tumbled onto the ground right after the large bear plopped down, joining a seat with the group. Suddenly James gets an idea, maybe Bewear knew why the twerps always won. He turned to Meowth and told him what was on that working mind of his.

"Ah! I got it! Meowth, ask Bewear why those twerps always managed to beat us! Maybe it has an answer on why we can't succeed!"

James exclaimed like this idea could really go somewhere, but Meowth wasn't all impressed with the idea. He didn't exactly jump to the idea since Bewear wasn't really around them whenever they were in the middle of stealing the class' Pokémon, only for it to show up whenever they lose. Out of pity and the lack of consistent ideas being passed around, he legit asked Bewear as if the Pokémon even knew what was going on outside of its den.

"Ehh, fine. Hold on a second, James. Hey, buddy Bewear, you don't suppose YOU know why we can't comprehend the strength of the twipes, do you?"

The large Pokémon tilted its head, its fluffy ears twitched in response to Meowth's question, right before it began to speak while gently thrusting its arms back and forth like a boxer. The expression on the cat's face slowly weighed a frown, which had to mean something bad.

"You... gotta be kidding me, that's how?!"

Meowth asked Bewear, which it nodded in a positive manner.

"Beeeee!"

"Why, why haven't we thought of that before?"

The conversation at this point became more intriguing to Jessie and James since they couldn't understand what was being said, they leaned up from their lying position into a sitting position wanting to know now. Meowth explained what was the missing piece to their success, when he shared Bewear's own thoughts, both Jessie and James slowly drifted from their anticipating expressions to a dull look.

"Their secret to their success is... nonstop training?"

Jessie asked in the air, admitting to feeling like a complete dimwit saying that out loud. The answer wasn't out of the ordinary or anything since it does make sense for those competing in regional challenges and training side by side with friends.

"Yeah, why haven't we ever trained when we aren't plotting to steal Pokémon?"

James looks down, thinking about his own question, thinking silently to himself of the last time they would consider stopping and improving their own Pokémon to compete with the rest of the world. Then Jessie snapped her fingers at the major realization that they aren't exactly crappy trainers. They normally compete with those who train their Pokémon with Pokémon who aren't well trained. With their sneaky planning combined with strengthened Pokémon, there's NO WAY they could lose the next time they run into the twerps with a Mimikyu that will tear that Pikachu apart and a Rockruff and will create and shape the mountains of Alola! Of course not literally, just enough to swipe their Pokémon successfully.

"Of course! We just need to whip up your Pokémon into shape, that way, we'll be able to get toe to toe with the twipes! It's a guaranteed win!"

Jessie, James, Wobbuffet, Meowth, and even Bewear raised their fist and paw alive in a rush of motivation hitting them like a powerful Surf-attack. Eager to start the beginning training to improve their own Pokémon so they can finally compete with the ones they're trying to steal from.

***

Ever since their new desire to train with the love and support of Bewear, Team Rocket has been off the radar for a good long while, but that doesn't mean Alola has been without its remarkable events. To say the least, Ula'Ula has definitely been up to some crazy crap for a while now and isn't anywhere near halting. It's fitting to say that the class is nearly set on traveling to the 3rd island of the region to continue their education and adventure, but just like Melemele, there was just about one more thing that needs to be completed under the objectives of Island Trial Challengers such as Saki and Ash. It was that time, to take on the literal boss of the island also known as the Kahuna of Akala Island.

Roughly around 5pm in the evening, Bob took a ferry to Akala since he wasn't able to schedule a match with the rocksteady woman Olivia until the near hour of the night. Of course, no kid his age would want to go out into the sunset just to have a gym battle or an island challenge, the timing just felt a bit inconvenient to Bob. Little did he know, Team Rocket was onboard the boat like he was, but their objectives may not match up on what he would expect if he somehow spotted the four crooks in their clever disguises. Bob takes a bus past Heahea city, passes through Diglett Cave, thankfully the ones living in Alola don't have the Arena Trap ability to prevent him from meeting Olivia on time for his match. After a small trip through Memorial Hill is where Olivia stood on a battlefield made of stone.

"Hey, Olivia." Bob gently waved, grabbing the woman's attention, she turned around with a grin on her face.

"My, my. Bob. You seem to be in fine spirits today," Suddenly, Olivia turns back to what she originally fixed her attention on, which seemed to be the entrance to some sort of shrine. Bob took a couple of steps closer, curious about what Olivia had her eyes on. "Lovely, isn't it? This is the home of Tapu Lele, the Ruins of Life."

Hearing that it wasn't just an ordinary cave but the home to some mystical Pokémon caused the boy to look up to Olivia.

"The Ruins of Life?"

Olivia noticed in Bob's expression that he had something concerning on his mind, so she remained silent, curious if he had any compliments to share or perhaps a concern.

"I think that's nice and all, but wouldn't it be best if we had our battle that wouldn't disturb such an almighty creature such as Tapu Lele?"

To Bob's own shock, she shook her head without any thought, looking like this was something that was completely normal. She smiled again and explained that there wasn't anything to be concerned about.

"It's no problem at all, Tapu Lele enjoys a good match, which we should perhaps begin. The night approaches us, hm?"

It was starting to get late, the problem wasn't that Bob had to rush home before his parents would get upset or anything on that matter, he may or may not have skipped lunch to spend some time with Lana before he squeezed his schedule to challenge the kahuna before nightfall. Dinner approached and he didn't need to look up to the dimming sky to tell him he had to go.

"Heheh, yes. I agree. Let's be sure to have a grand ol' match for that Tapu fellow!..."

Olivia smiled, before stepping on the other side of the battlefield, she perked up and placed both hands right on her hips.

"Bob, you have successfully defeated Ilima's trial and won against Hala's Grand Island Challenge! You have wiped out Tides, Ayame, and Blaze's obstacles as well, now there's only one more stone you must pass over to Ula'Ula. Me. Tell me, are you ready to battle Akala's one and only Kahuna, Olivia?"

Bob looked at the 3 Pokéballs in his hand he was considering using for his challenge, pretty confident that he had the edge with typings, but Olivia wasn't the boss of the island for nothing, so she has to be deadass brilliant during battle. There's no way he could take it easy, he was already tense just by standing face to face with the woman, so he just needed to use that energy to pump himself up.

"Let's go, Nosepass."

A strange choice by Olivia, a short Pokémon made entirely out of rock with a big red nose, it isn't known for its speed but it's best to remember not to lose your cool or focus.

"Castform, I'll start off with you!"

Both Pokémon front and center, the second Grand Island Match will finally begin!

"Alright, I'm starting off with a field advantage! Rain Dance!"

Summoning clouds from above, Bob wasn't lying about moving the odds to his favor. The area around them began to drizzle with rain, however, Olivia didn't flinch, neither did Nosepass, there was something fishy about how cool she was with the rain pouring.

"Very refreshing, but did you really think that this is really some sort of trick I have never seen before? Even I am aware of my lovely Rock Types advantages and disadvantages. I have met dozens of younglings who have yet to bypass our smooth and sharp edges. Let me show you that a few raindrops won't stop our game! Nosepass! Spark!"

Coating itself in a light coating of electricity, Nosepass zoomed towards Castformed and slammed a super-effective shot on the weather Pokémon. Bob's jaw literally dropped, forgetting Nosepass was capable of creating electricity on its own. This was bad, a pretty sticky situation. Castform was still able to fight, so it needed to rise up from the ground to avoid any more electric trouble.

"Well played, Olivia. I really did think I was on top for a second, but the battle has just begun! Rise in the air and use Water Gun!"

The small Pokémon took high, using its ability to hover to higher grounds to avoid being stuck by any more electric attacks and blasted Nosepass with a blast of water, which it didn't take so well.

"Then again, water isn't my friend in battle, perhaps we'll just bring your weather-making friend down then! Nosepass, use Smack Down!"

The rock Pokémon created many jagged rocks out of energy and prepared to launch them towards the sky, so Castform better thinks quickly before it suffered a face-full of pain.

"Use Thunderbolt and stop Nosepass!"

Both sides unleashed attacks that ended up colliding with some dangerous results, the clash ended up in a major explosion that caught both Pokémon. Castform was forced to hover back to ground level, which was the perfect time to strike.

"Nosepass, Spark once more!"

Despite some pretty hefty pain, Nosepass rushed towards Castform in a coat of energy, but was blasted by Castform's Water Gun, but still managed to hit the small Pokémon before tumbling down. Both Pokémon were unable to continue.

"Well, I'm sure it could've been worse either way."

Olivia shrugged as she returned her Pokémon back into its Pokéball, Bob doing the same with Castform. He let out a big sigh, Olivia was certainly no fool to counter her weakness against Water-Types, but at the same time, the match ended in a tie, so Bob's strategy wasn't complete bullshit.

"That's true, Olivia. If I'm going to win tonight, it looks like I'll have to switch gears. I warn you, my next Pokémon isn't one to take lightly! Hariyama, let's go!"

Sending out his tallest and heaviest Pokémon out of his team, it looked more than ready to commence in battle. A rising smirk grew on the boy's face, Olivia however didn't respond to his next choice, either keeping a closed face to hide her poker face or maybe she finally met her match. Of course, a different type of advantage doesn't mean to relax, the battle had just begun.

"I think I'll choose Boldore," She tossed her 2nd Pokéball which sent out another rock Pokémon, this one bearing pretty red gems around its body. That's when the kahuna finally grinned at the sight of her Pokémon's shining gems. "Pretty crystals, aren't they? Try not to let them distract you in battle."

Something about what Olivia warned Bob confused him, like if her comment was a joke, or if she was dead serious not to lose his concentration in Boldore's red crystals. The face she made wasn't hinting at anything, so he quickly came to a conclusion that it had to be a combination, even if his decision was rushed. However, he was so distracted that he didn't even notice Team Rocket in the bushes, spying on the match between him and Olivia, neither did she, so it's not a surprise.

"That rock woman really is a tease, isn't she?"

Meowth asked, observing the battle of Castform and Nosepass ending in a draw, noticing how cool she remained regardless of the endless disadvantages thrown right at her.

"Agreed, but the rain isn't affecting her at all, for someone using Rock-Type Pokémon, she's totally unphased."

James chimes in, with his Rockruff on his head, it seemed pretty interested in the battle taking place, something about it patting its paws on his head sounds like it was getting restless of something, almost as if it was itching to leave and go somewhere it really wants to go somewhere else. However, Jessie had a different motive, she boiled a plan in her mind, convinced to swipe both Olivia's and Bob's Pokémon when they were unable to defend themselves.

"I say we should wait just a little bit longer, once their battle is over, we'll come in and pounce them blind! Stay under the radar."

Team Rocket all remained in the bushes, Wobbuffet about to speak its own name, but was quickly cut off by everyone covering its mouth to prevent exposing their hiding spot.

"Alright Hariyama, use Arm Thrust!"

Charging straight into battle, the rumbling force of Hariyama came through like a Rhyhorn in the wild, but Boldore stood its ground.

"Use Iron Defense."

Olivia points towards the field, the rock Pokémon coats itself with gray energy, the attacks Hariyama dished out may have packed a punch, but Boldore wasn't giving up.

"Change gears, change gears! Use Ice Punch!"

Striking the Pokémon with an icy fist, Boldore was launched back from the impact, but it was more than ready for its next command.

"Stand your ground, Boldore, Flash Cannon!"

Suddenly, Boldore creates an orb of metal energy before unleashing a hard-hitting beam right at Hariyama, the impact was massive, and the large Pokémon was knocked back, but it wasn't finished yet. Bob looked down before returning back up, considering Boldore's defense alone to be impressive, there had to be a way to crush it through.

"Your Rock Types are incredibly tough, I'll give you the benefit without a doubt. How about its special defense, hmm? Let's find out! Hariyama, Focus Blast!"

A ball made up of pure fighting spirit and concentration hurled at Boldore, now Olivia really did have a problem on her hands.

"Flash Cannon, once more!"

The Pokémon tried to defend itself with its metal blast, but Hariyama's attack was too great for the rocky beast. Boldore was unable to continue. Olivia returned her 2nd Pokémon without saying a word, but she didn't seem upset that her 2nd Pokémon was already down for the count or she only had one more remaining.

"Who knew the first one to reveal their last Pokémon would be me all along? I'm impressed. Your Pokémon are well trained, but I didn't just so happen to save my ace for last just for show. It's a truly terrifying opponent. Lycanroc, I choose you!"

A Pokémon with a red body and intimidating red eyes glowed in the vast darkness, it seemed really eager to fight which felt rather uncomfortable. It growled, it snickered, taunting its opponent to make a move. Hell, even Team Rocket was taken back to how battle-ready this thing was. Which must've made James's Rockruff dash away from the battle, towards a hill nearby the ruins.

"H-hey! Rockruff??"

James first shouted, but plugged his mouth to avoid being spotted. He dashed out of his hiding spot to go after it, being followed by Jessie and Meowth, wondering what the hell had gotten into the small thing.

"Meet the Midnight form of Lycanroc. A cutie this one is, isn't it? I wish you the best of luck and the first move too."

It felt like a trap, it had to be. Who in their right mind would give their opponents the first turn on purpose? Whatever it was, they had to make it worthwhile.

"... Sure, thank you. H-Hariyama, use Arm Thrust!"

Blow by blow, Hariyama struck Lycanroc with quick but effective blows right out in the open. The opponent seems to be in pain by the simple look of things, but a red aura was fusing out of the Pokémon like it could blow up at any moment. That couldn't have been a good sign. Out of Nowhere, Hariyama was struck with a glowing red paw from his opponent, which was sent right back to Bob's side of the field. The boy's jaw dropped, wondering what the hell could possibly send his heaviest Pokémon back so easily.

"That's what you'd call Counter, Bob. A move that returns all physical attacks back at twice the damage."

After being filled with the horrible effect of Counter, there was no way he could go for another close-range attack, even if it was a super-effective attack, his Pokémon would be unable to continue if hit by another doubled-powered hit. Heck, Bob felt lucky Hariyama was such a bulky Pokémon with lots of HP to share, if not, the other members of his party would've dropped dead already. Despite how hard things hit, the boy had to switch gears with a move from before that won him over.

"Focus Blast!"

Launching another sphere made of energy, Lyncanroc endured that attack as well, it still stood tall with a glare in its eye that could kill. Despite taking massive damage from the ranged attack, it was more than ready to strike back. Olivia had this strange grin when she was up to make a move, which indicated that her trap didn't end right at the Counter.

"It's about time we make our own move, isn't it? Lycanroc, Zen Headbutt!"

Pink and blue static began to spark from the top of Lycanroc's mane before it was coated in mystic psychic energy before launching itself carelessly, it was heading straight for Hariyama, almost looking as if it wasn't looking where it was aiming at all, but it knew its direction was where its opponent stood. Bob had about 10 seconds to make a move before Hariyama was hit with a super-effective hit himself, so he made up his mind to fight fire with fire. He chose to chase the rocky Pokémon with a Fighting Type move, Arm Thrust! Both moves ended up in a massive explosion, a dark cloud of smoke hazed the field, Lycanroc was the first to emerge from the cloud, but when it began to clear up, Hariyama was seen on the ground, unable to continue. A long speechless pause from Bob stood returning his 2nd Pokémon, lost in a sea of thought.

"Man... that Lycanroc is insane, taking super effective shots without any need to avoid them... It just keeps taking them straight on. If I have any hopes of winning... I have to end it all with a Z-move... Certainly, it won't be able to take one straight on after what it has taken... it just can't."

Bob sent out his Octillery, his 3rd, and final choice. Olivia didn't say a word, she simply gestured to Bob to make his move like before. Bob questioned if Olivia knew that his last Pokémon was rather one for long-distance attacks than physical ones to surpass Counter, but deep down, he felt Olivia was going to end the fight, here and now.

"Olivia, we had a rather long match here, wouldn't you agree? It's been fun, but I need to head out right now. You want me to make my move? You got it."

Equipping the Waterium-Z on his Z-Ring, he posed exactly how Tides and Lana showed him, he and Octillery felt a surge of energy flowing through the device, and they weren't the only ones who were powering up.

"I very much agree, Bob," Olivia smiled while constructing a pose that involved flexing the muscles. "All for the marbles, here we go! Lycanroc, Continental Crush!"

"Go Octillery! Wash away our opponent, they can't take much more of our might! Hydro Vortex!"

Two Z-moves are activated at once. The overflowing energy simply couldn't go unacknowledged or ignored. Octillery whipped up a massive whirlpool of water right from outs mouth, before launching it right at its opponent, but Lycanroc leaped into the air and summoned lots of stone from down before, surrounding itself forming one giant boulder from above. The craziest thing is that Lycanroc within the stone was caught in a giant whirlpool, spinning like mad. Octillery blasted the ground with water to lift itself in the air and joined the flowing current of its own attack, blasting the shielding stone with powerful blasts of water from the Z-Ring. That and the overwhelming destructive whirlpool it has created, Lycanroc could no longer build up its rocky shell and was soaked with an overwhelming blast of water. It slammed on the ground, not moving an inch after it was freed from the whirlpool which eventually withered away.

"So... I have lost. Bob," Both trainers returned their Pokémon in their Pokéballs. Olivia smiled with a thumbs up as she approached him. "Your Pokémon sure does pack quite the punch. My Pokémon and I may be as sturdy as diamonds, but you smashed us through. I am truly impressed."

Bob chuckled nervously, scratching on the back of his head, knowing Olivia was making him sound stronger than he really is. "Nah, we barely prevailed, if your last Pokémon wasn't damaged from my 2nd, the results would definitely end in your favor, Olivia."

He expected Olivia to shake her head at the different outcome, but she didn't, she legit agreed, things probably could have been different if Bob's Pokémon weren't as strong as he trained them to be, in which he took a second for him to agree with Olivia's statement. For defeating the 2nd Kahuna of Alola, he was rewarded with the Rockium-Z. Bob felt proud of himself for pulling the win against both Hala and Olivia, now lying 2 remaining islands. His motivation to defeat the remaining Island Trails and Grand Island Trails could only go higher from where he stood.

***

On top of the mountain where Rockruff ran off too, Jessie, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet basically trampled each other, tired after a needlessly long hike upon the cliff.

"Oh, that Rockruff of mine... EEP!"

James looked up from the ground, his Pokémon gazed upon the glowing moon with its eye which began to glow red. Something was... off about it. It was behaving rather aggressively not too long ago, and now it seemed like it wanted to kill something by the way it was barking and yelping to the sky like it was possessed by a demon.

James tilted his head, admittingly not knowing the situation at hand while Jessie and Meowth were rather confused.

"Geez, did our training montage work? Is Rockruff already eager to get at it with the twipes?"

Meowth asked James who finally took the liberty of digging into his pocket and pulling out a stack of cards with Pokémon data on them to see if there was anything on Rockruff to explain its bizarre and violent nature.

"Despite it being a little creepy, its spirit may be a good thing-" Jessie was saying before she was cut off by Rockruff who suddenly howled upon the moon, glowing a blue color, in which the four had a major sight and jaw drop at the small pup, going into something much scarier than before. "J-James! Your Rockruff-it's evolving!!"

"Ehhhh?! It is??"

"Is this what it feels like whenever the twipes train hard enough for their Pokémon to become stronger?! I'm-I'm at a loss for words!

"Wobbuffet-?!"

There it stood, slouched, red, its eyepatch remained on its one eye, but it still didn't stop the other from glowing. Lycanroc stood looking like it wanted to destroy the group, but it suddenly howled again, louder than it did previously as a Rockruff. Jessie, Meowth, and Wobbuffet all stood behind James, as he demanded what the others were doing.

"Go on, say hi to your new buddy, James! Away from us!"

"H-Hey! Meowth!"

"I agree with Meowth, go say hi far from us!"

The two nearly pushed James as he slowly approached his newly evolved Lycanroc, with each step made him feel light and weak, staring at its glowing eye didn't do any good either.

"Heyyy, buddy... Looking good, are we?... Now I thought we could just-"

Suddenly, the Pokémon bashed its rocky mane right on his chest, sending him back at the group before colliding with the group!... before they all began to tumble downwards the hill, all the way to the bottom. Once more, Lycanroc couldn't help but howl once more to the moon, ready to fight the Pokémon it has lost to over and over. It was ready for its revenge.