Three days had passed since Sarah, Ponyta, and Silvally's Grand Trial win against Hala which meant that they and the rest of their family have three more trials to complete before they finished the Island Challenge. Word over their victory and the reveal of Silvally's true form had spread across all of Melemele and Sarah and her Pokemon had been given a lot of respect for the victory she, Silvally, and Ponyta pulled over Hala.

Sarah and her family were still reeling from the Melemele Grand Trial victory and couldn't help but carry on their celebrations even after the initial party Hala, Professor Kukui, and the others threw for her.

"To think you'd come so far ever since that first trial and win the Grand Trial with all the odds stack against you and Silvally, Ponchita," James said to his daughter while they looked around.

"Dad, I still think Ponyta and Silvally did all the work," Sarah told him modestly. "I just guided them."

"You still helped them win, though."

"True, true," Sarah chuckled sheepishly. Ponyta neighed happily in agreement as she nuzzled her trainer in thanks.

"Come on, Ponyta, you were amazing battling as you did. Even if I did help, you would've gone on fine without me," Sarah happily said to her unicorn. She then turned to Silvally, "I'm sure you would've done the same since you trust us now."

"But, I'd still need you to be there for me when I get lost," Silvally told her kindly, before he felt something trip him and he face-planted again after walking a few steps, surprising everybody.

"OWCH!" he groaned before he found the culprit responsible. Wooloo was smiling innocently and gave off a happy 'Baa'. Silvally groaned but thankfully, he didn't snap this time, "You never change, do you?" Wooloo nodded but then nuzzled him, getting a soft chuckle. Everyone chuckled and even Lolita shook her head in amusement until they heard the doggie door open and turned to the door in surprise.

"Hey there you are Pup- WAH!" Sarah exclaimed seeing the two Rockruff who were covered in scratches and were limping!

The Lycanroc couple quickly ran over to their sons and looked them all over. Their father checked them all over to see how they got their wounds while their mother smothered them with loving licks as she cried for them, causing them to whimper in pain.

"What happened to them?" asked James in shock.

"You two are a mess," Nikki scolded them. "We told you to behave while we were gone and look where that's gotten you."

"Puppy Pair, what were you doing?" Sarah asked as she picked up the first brother as he whimpered from his bruises. "Why didn't you listen to us? Do you know how worried we were when we didn't hear you?"

The Puppy Pair whimpered in shame. They knew it was wrong for them to disobey their family and their parents but they knew they had a reason to do what they do.

They were worried, however, that Sarah and her family might not understand why they went out of the house while they were gone.

As Sarah and her family started to treat their wounds with their Pokemon helping, no one noticed a familiar bipedal tiger looking through the window from the bushes. It turned its eyes towards Sarah and then towards the Puppy Pair as they were being cleaned and healed.

"Zera..." it softly growled before it left. No one knew this Pokemon would prove itself to be an ally or an enemy towards our young heroine, her Pokemon, her family, and her friends and that the events that follow leading to a future meeting with it would you change the young girl's life forever.


(Opening 2 - Power Rangers Beast Morphers)

(The Ruins of Conflict are shown before Sarah and her Pokémon appear, jumping from a cliff to fight their enemies)

Pokemon!

(Sarah, Blitz, Silvally, and Mudsdale are shown first. Then, the Puppy Pair and Ponyta and Wooloo are featured. Finally, Lolita, Aqua, Milotic appear, all of them being shown in the order detailed)

Go, Go, Pokemon!

(Sarah, Blitz, and Silvally attack enemy Pokémon while Lolita uses her Scratch attack to protect her young Galar charges from Team Skull. Aqua and Milotic dive in the water to battle while the Puppy Pair does a Twin Rock Throw)

Go! Go!

(Sarah and the Puppy Pair are introduced first before Silvally, Blitz, and Mudsdale shown together. Then, Ponyta and Wooloo are featured before the introductions round off with Lolita, Aqua, and Milotic)

It's Battle Time!

(Sarah summons a Pokémon from a Cherish Ball she was given before transitioning to Silvally's evolution to his true form. Lolita unsheathes her claws before shifting to a darkened silhouette of a Pokémon that looked like a bipedal tiger with glowing light blue eyes in a battle stance)

For justice, we fight! With Pokemon Light! Together, we rise!

(Team Skull and Team Rocket appear with their Pokémon. Sarah and Silvally use Devastating Drake while Ash and the others are seen with their Partner Pokémon unleashing their attacks)

Go, Go, Pokemon! Go, Go, Pokemon!

(Sarah and her fully-assembled team appear in front of the Tapu Guardians)

Pokémon: Sun & Moon!

(Sarah and her entire team look out towards the horizon over a cliff on Alaka Island as the titles appear)

Pokémon Alola Journey - The Trials of Sarah


Later...

Professor Kukui was told about what happened to the Puppy Pair as Sarah and her Pokemon went to see him and Ash after school. He was surprised and curious from the whole thing.

"Hmm, interesting..." he began thoughtfully. "And, they returned to you all in a similar condition as Rockruff did with us?"

"Yeah, but their wounds looked worse than the ones you told me were on Rockruff."

"Who could've done this to them?" Ash puzzled worriedly.

"Well, there's only one way to find out," Professor Kukui answered before he led them to his computer and typed in a program. "When I first found out about what happened to Rockruff, I've installed a security camera to track Rockruff's actions."

"So, you can find out what happens to him when you're out of the house!"

"Right, Ash. Did you ask your parents to have security cameras installed for something like this, Sarah?"

"We didn't need them. The Lycanroc couple are usually watchful of their sons so there was no point in it." But then, Sarah realized something she forgot to ask everyone about Professor Kukui's Rockruff. "You guys did mention that the Rockruff with Professor Kukui is not his own, right?" she asked the others.

"Yeah, it's still a wild Pokemon," Mallow answered. "One day, he just appeared after Professor Kukui offered him food. And ever since then, he's been with him and never left."

"But, why would he and the Puppy Pair leave your houses while you were gone and come back wounded you guys returned?" Kiawe puzzled. "And, who was it that gave them those bruises?"

"Maybe they could've been made by someone who found and abused them," Sophocles theorized.

"I doubt it," Lana replied skeptically. "The only person we found abusing Pokemon was the man who once owned Aqua and Milotic and he didn't take an interest in the Puppy Pair."

"And, we and Professor Kukui usually friendly folk the wild Rockruff trusts," added Kiawe.

"And, even if we did find out who's responsible for them being hurt," Lillie reminded. "Who's to say it won't happen again?"

"I guess the best thing we can do, guys," Sarah finished, "...Is to cross our fingers and hope for the best." Everyone agreed and nothing more was said.

Professor Kukui smiled and understood, "I gotcha, they wouldn't misbehave under their watch when they're around. But, I think they and Rockruff might have something in common if what you kids at school is true."

Sarah was intrigued, "What should we do?"

"Yeah, what'll we do?" Ash agreed.

"If those three left last night for something that required their attention, they'll do so again. Sarah, tonight, I want you and your family to join us and bring the Puppy Pair and their parents with you. Meet us this evening in an hour and then leave the Puppy Pair with Rockruff. We're going on a little night walk to see what they're up to."

"Yes, Sir."

"Okay, Professor," Sarah and Ash told him.


Later that day...

Sarah and her family were at Professor Kukui's place with the Puppy Pair and the Lycanroc Couple. Kukui had installed cameras in the house, so they could see what was going on on his phone. Kukui placed a small toy on the ground, "What's that?" Nikki asked.

"Rockruff's playmate." Kukui smiled. "We'll be back Rockruff, be good." Kukui said.

"You two, Puppy Pair." Sarah said as she, Ash, her parents, the pokemon and Kukui exited the house and hid in the bushes. They gathered around Kukui's phone and saw Rockruff suddenly attacking the playmate while the Puppy Pair watched, "What's going on?" Ash asked.

"I'm not quite sure, I've left that you before but its never acted like this.." Kukui said confused. Then, Rockruff and the Puppy Pair suddenly moved towards the door and the group saw they dashing away into the forest. "Let's follow them.." Kukui whispered and the others nodded and they followed the Puppy Pair into the forest.

The Puppy Pair and Rockruff ran through the forest and Sarah, her parents, Ash, Kukui and Sarah's other Pokémon following them. "Wait a minute... just up ahead..." Kukui said.

"What Professor?" Sarah asked. Suddenly, everyone heard loud howls from up ahead as Sarah noticed the Lycanroc couple perk their ears up in shock as they dashed ahead to the source of the howls. "Lycanroc!" she cried while she and her Pokemon gave chase.

"Sarah, wait!" Ash called as he, Professor Kukui, and her parents chased after them as well.

They ran after the Lycanroc couple until they were out of the forest. When they finally reached a cliff overlooking the area ahead of them, the group noticed the Puppy Pair's parents looking intently at the place below. They looked with them and widened their eyes in shock and amazement as they saw the V-shaped rock formation and on the formation was a group of Pokemon walking to the rocky plateau.

Sarah looked towards the Lycanroc couple, "What do you see, you two?"

"Roc!" the two barked, pointing their noses at the top of the mountain. Everyone gasped; standing on the mountain top were two other Lycanroc, a Midnight Lycanroc like the Puppy Pair's father and a Midday Lycanroc.

"Their Lycanroc...!" Ash gasped.

"Midday form and Midnight form Lycanroc to boot." Rotom Dex added. "Very interesting."

"I knew it. We're looking at Clawmark hill." Kukui said.

"Clawmark Hill?" Sarah asked.

"I never knew such a place existed," Nikki gasped in amazement. James nodded in agreement.

But then, everyone watched as the Lycanroc jumped off the mountain top and faced each other to fight. The Midday Lycanroc attacked first by using Rock Throw as it flung sharp rocks at its Midnight counterpart. The Midnight Lycanroc, however, took on the Rock Throw as it withered in pain and then charged at the Midday Lycanroc with Accelerock.

As they battled, the Pokemon joining them cheered for them to continue fighting. Kukui's Rockruff and the Puppy Pair were among the crowd cheering for the two Lycanroc as well.

"Incredible! They're using Rock Throw and Accelerock!" Professor Kukui gaped in awe. The Pokemon continued to cheer for the Lycanroc as they backed out of their latest power struggle, canceling a deadlock they were just in.

The Midday Lycanroc and Midnight Lycanroc sent determined glares at each other as they waited for one or the other to make a move.

The Midday Lycanroc pounced and bit the Midnight form on the shoulder, but it used Counter and punched it! "Woah... Counter..." Ash gasped.

"The Midnights' forms preferred battling style is to take it opponents attacks and then land a decisive blow." Kukui explained. Rotom Dex flew in front of them. "This is no time to be amazed, I must record this.." he said.

But, just as it couldn't be a stranger sight for all of them, everyone watched as the two Lycanroc jumped back to the mountain top with the Pokemon, Rockruff, and the Puppy Pair watching them. Then, the Lycanroc looked at them all before letting out two loud howls, signaling them to do something.

Suddenly, the Pokemon watching the battle started to fight each other, essentially picking up where the Lycanroc left off. A Machoke was squaring off against a wild Hariyama and a Golduck started to wrestle with a Pangoro. A Vullaby was pitted against a Boldore while a Sabalye challenged a Primape to a fight. Finally, a Braivary and a Fearow took their fight to the air in an aerial battle as everyone watched them on in surprise.

"Hey, where are the Puppy Pair and Rockruff?" Sarah gasped, trying to find them among the crowd of fighting Pokemon.

"Look, one of them's over there!" Kukui whispered, pointing to the wild Rockruff standing on a rock on the Midnight Lycanroc's side.

"Lycan!" the Dusk Lycanroc shouted. She pointed everyone to her and her mate's sons standing on a rock on the side opposite to the wild Rockruff's. The Puppy Pair was looking over the crowd, trying to find someone to fight. The second brother looked more intensely at the crowd before he sighed bitterly as if he didn't find who they were looking for. The first brother, however, smiled and comforted him as he told him their opponent will arrive soon. Ash now had an idea on what's going on as he tried to call to the Rock Types. "It's all making sense to me now!" he said but Sarah quickly stopped him as they struggled.

"Ash, wait! You can't go down there!"

"But, the Rockruff are right there! You can't expect me to-!"

"Yes, you must!" she whispered harshly as they fell back after she managed to restrain him. Silvally and the Lycanroc couple looked out towards the Pokemon and were relieved they weren't spotted. "It's okay, they didn't see us," Silvally told her as they picked themselves up.

"Thanks, Partner," Sarah smiled.

The group watched as the Puppy Pair and Rockruff found their opponents.

As they did so, Sarah turned to Ash, angrily. "Ash, I have a feeling we humans aren't allowed here," she told him quietly. "If you just go charging in, the Pokemon gathered will attack us and think we've gone mad. Awful things happen to people who don't understand the ways of the Pokemon."

Ash groaned, realizing that she was right and it was pointless to argue with that.

"Okay, let's keep watching," he conceded as everyone continued to watch.

Rockruff was up first as he stepped up to his chosen opponent which as a Magmar that defeated a Sudowoodo, a Mankey, a Machop, an Alolan Radicate, a Spinda, and the Sableye and Primape from before. "Ruff! Ruff! Rockruff, Ruff!" he challenged the Spit Fire Pokemon.

Magmar smirked and chuckled as he dared Rockruff to come at it. The Puppy Pair, after finding the opponent they're looking for, stood by on the sidelines as they watched their wild friend begin his battle.

Rockruff charged Magamr which unleashed Flamethrower at him. Rockruff leaped to the side and prepares to pounce on it but the Magmar countered with Fire Punch, punching Rockruff. "Rooo!"

"Professor!" Ash hissed but Sarah held him firm.

"Ash, remember what I told you, you moron!" she groaned quietly as she pulled him back.

"She's right, Ash, not yet. Patience," Professor Kukui agreed, watching the battle intensely. "We need to see what Rockruff can do before we do anything. Otherwise, he won't get anywhere."

"Do it for your little buddy, Ash," James agreed as he and Nikki nodded.

Ash sighed and watched, still bitter about what's happening to Rockruff.

Despite the Puppy Pokemon getting a few hits into Magmar, the Spit Fire Pokemon was stronger and had the upper hand with its storm of Fire Type Attacks.

A Fire Blast knocked him back as he rolled across the ground as the Puppy Pair watched on. Despite being outmatched, Rockruff held firm as the stones around his neck started to glow.

"It's glowing...!" Ash gasped.

"That means Rockruffs' getting ready to use a move!" Kukui stated.

Everyone watched in anticipation as Rockruff tried to use a move to counter Magmar but even as the stones glowed, nothing happened. Magmar smirked with pride as it took his missed opportunity and blasted Rockruff away with Flamethrower.

"He's hit!" Ash gasped as Sarah continued to hold him before he does anything stupid.

"There's a clear difference in their strengths," Nikki mused while James and Professor Kukui nodded in agreement at the sight.

Rockruff tried to get up but it was no good, he knew he was beaten. Magmar laughed and dared anybody else to fight it. The Puppy Pair glared at Magmar until they felt a presence near them. They looked to their right and found their opponent in a black cloak, who nodded to them and Magmar as if it was telling them to fight him before their battle. The two brothers nodded with a smirk and approached the smug Spit Fire Pokemon.

"Rockruff, Rock, Rock, Ruff! Ruff, Rockruff!" the first brother challenged before he and his second brother got ready to fight.

Magmar fired Flamethrower at then but the pair jumped high into the air and their collars began to glow as well. "Here it comes." Ash said. Magmar fired Flamethrower again but the pair unleashed a double Rock Throw attack. The attack countered Flamethrower and some of it struck Magmar.

"They did it!" Sarah gasped in amazement.

"Roc, Ly, Roc, Lycan," the Puppy Pair's mother barked as she and her mate watched their sons carefully.

"I don't think their parents are too sure of that," Silvally told her for them. "Their battle just started so anything can happen."

Magmar got up and smirked, knowing that the Puppy Pair would provide it with a real challenge. The Puppy Pair continued to watch their opponent intensely before Magmar charged at them with a Fire Punch preceded by a Fire Blast. The first brother barked to his second brother and they separated, dodging both Fire attacks from both sides.

The rest of the Pokemon watched anxiously as the three of them fought. Their cloaked opponent held an intense gaze at them, its light blue eyes glowing as it nodded from what it's seeing from the Puppy Pair.

Magmar finally landed a Fire Punch at the second brother as he was launched into the air, surprising everybody watching. The cloaked opponent, however, kept its intense gaze.

"Rock, Rockruff!" The second brother cried with a determined glare, signaling his first brother to execute an attack plan they've set in place for Magmar while they were fighting.

The first brother barked in agreement and jumped over to his brother, using Bite to grab his tail and spin him like a top before he eyed Magmar and threw him at the Fire Type.

Everyone was amazed as the second brother let out a proud howl as he performed a flying Tackle drop at the baffled Magmar who tried to counter with Flamethrower. But, it was no use, the second brother took the heat and continued towards Magmar before he rammed it on the head and knocked it out in a small cloud of dust.

Everyone waited to see if Magmar would come back up but the Spit Fire Pokemon had swirls in its eyes from the knockout, telling everybody that the Puppy Pair won.

"Ruff! Ruff!" Rockruff howled proudly as his first brother joined him and they shared a tail bump. The Pokemon cheered while the Midnight and Midday Lycanroc nodded in approval.

"They won! Amazing!" Ash exclaimed.

"Pika pika!" Pikachu cheered.

"But, who's that coming towards them?" Sarah asked, cutting their cheering short. Ash and Pikachu looked back at the field with the others as the cloaked figure came to them while the Puppy Pair smirked and nodded to it, challenging their opponent to a battle.

"Not like any Pokemon I've ever seen," Professor Kukui said, curious as to who or what their next opponent is.

Nikki and James were confused by the cloak their opponent was wearing. "Why is it under a cloak?" Nikki asked.

"Don't know," James admitted. He had no idea who or what their opponent is either.

The Puppy Pair's opponent nodded with a smile and accepted their challenge and it pulled off its cloak to reveal the yellow and blue-striped Pokemon that watched Sarah and her family in full form.

The Pokemon stayed silent as if they knew what it was but Sarah, Ash, and their group gasped in shock at the Puppy Pair's opponent. "What Pokémon is that?!" Ash exclaimed.

"That's a pokemon I haven't seen before." Kukui added.

"Allow me-zzt!" Rotom-Dex called. He searched through his data banks but... "Huh?!"

"What's wrong?" Nikki asked.

"I... I-I don't have anything on it!" Rotom-Dex shrieked in surprise. "There's no record on it on my database or anything! This is a brand new kind of Pokemon-zzt! A total mystery! Something out of a mythical fairy tale!"

"Mythical?" James inquired. "You mean like a Mythical Pokemon?"

"Interesting, this is a first for all of us," Professor Kukui said in intrigue. "Let's watch the battle and see what it does."

Everyone agreed as they eyed the Puppy Pair and their opponent. Silvally was most intrigued; he wondered if there was something strange and powerful about his little brothers' opponent. But, he and the others didn't have to wait long as their battle began.

The Pokémon's fists sparked with electricity and it formed a large ball in it its paws before punching the ground and the electricity ran across the ground!

The Puppy Pair split up once again and dodged the attack before they regrouped and launched a Double Rock Throw attack at the Pokemon, now identified as an Electric Type. The Pokemon eyed the Double Rock Throw, and, at speeds unimaginable, it dodged the twin attack with ease until it found only one of the Rockruff brothers, the first brother.

The Electric Type Pokemon was surprised until it heard the second brother coming at it with a hard Bite. Knowing what they did, it held out its left arm in defense as the second brother used his Bite attack. The Pokemon winced in pain as it then heard the first brother coming at it with a Tackle attack while it was distracted. Thinking quickly, it faced the first brother with his left arm and punched at the second brother with a right-hand punch as its claw sparked with electricity, sending the second brother towards the first brother as they collided.

"Rockruff!" Sarah cried. The Dusk Lycanroc tried to get to them but her Midnight mate held her back in worry for them.

Sarah's Pokemon could only watch, worried for the Puppy Pair as the Electric Pokemon continued to wail on them, first with a metal-encased tail, and then a flurry of punches and kicks at them.

"That's Iron Tail and Close Combat!" James gaped in shock.

Professor Kukui looked more intensely at the battle as he narrowed his eyes in interest, "It looks like the Pokemon's not giving them a window of opportunity to counter, let alone dodge."

The Puppy Pair screamed in pain from the blows as they rolled away from a final kick directed at them.

The Pokemon looked at them with pity as they stood back up on their paws shakily as it narrowed its eyes at them.

But, the two brothers refused to give up as they growled at the Mythical Pokemon as they separated and went to either side of him to continue fighting. "They're still going!" Sarah exclaimed.

Sure enough, that's what they did. The Puppy Pair and the Mythical Pokemon went back and forth as the brothers charged with Tackle and Bite and the occasional Rock Throw while the Electric Type dodged and countered with Iron Tail and Close Combat as it used another move it knows, Drain Punch.

After a few minutes, the Puppy Pair were on their last legs as they panted heavily while the Mythical Pokemon looked as though it didn't break a sweat.

Then, it decided it was time to end the duel between it and the two brothers as its eyes glowed and it charged up electricity as its fists sparkled. Another large and blue electric ball formed in its paws before it roared loudly and slammed its paws on the ground, releasing the ball as its energy traveled to where the Puppy Pair is. The Puppy Pair couldn't dodge the attack in time after using up much of their energy and were shocked badly as they were thrown to a nearby rock wall and they slid down it before falling unconscious.

The wild Rockruff, who finally woke up when the Puppy Pair began their battle with their Mythical opponent, cried in shock and rushed to the two brothers as they came to.

The Pokemon were in awe of the battle and cheered, some of them praising the Mythical Pokemon for it's victory.

The Electric Type, however, wiped its brow in satisfaction as it went to the Puppy Pair and smiled at them, giving them contempt growls as he petted them.

The Rockruff brothers whined and nodded in thanks as they returned the smile to their Mythical opponent.

The Pokémon nodded before it picked up its cloak and went back into the forest. "Woah... that's one strong Pokémon..." Ash gasped.

"Pika..." Pikachu agreed.

"It's amazing, I've never seen a Pokemon like that," Nikki sighed in amazement.

"I never knew it could use such an attack that beat the Puppy Pair," James agreed. "I think it could be an attack only the Mythical Pokemon itself knows..."

"Sarah, what do you suppose this means?" Silvally asked. "We should find it and challenge it to a battle of our own to see what it could do."

"Another time, Partner," Sarah replied before she turned to Professor Kukui. "Professor, what just happened?"

"Well, judging from those battles, the Pokemon aren't really fighting. They're actually training, the Magmar beating our Rockruff earlier wasn't beating all the other Pokemon that challenged it for show," he deduced as everyone turned their attention to the three Rockruff as the Midnight and Midday Lycanroc speaking to them proudly before they left for home.

"And, the Mythical Pokemon from before wasn't trying to defeat the Puppy Pair. It was training them by dodging everything they threw at it and countering their attacks with its own moves."

"Then, that means..." Sarah realized.

"Exactly. This is a place where humans are not allowed to enter," he finished. "From what we witnessed from their actions and movements, Clawmark Hill is a Pokemon dojo!"

No one breathed a word after Kukui dropped the bombshell. It all made sense to Sarah and her family now! The wounds the Puppy Pair got were from a training battle and weren't intentional!

However, the Lycanroc couple could only wonder what was driving their sons to start training at Clawmark Hill and why they chose to train with the Mythical Pokemon since they don't know anything about it. Later in the night, the Puppy Pair and Rockruff were walking back home together when they heard something in front of them. They looked up and they saw Sarah, her pokemon, Nikki, James, the Lycanroc Couple, Ash, Pikachu and Professor Kukui. "Hi, guys," Sarah called to the Puppy Pair as she and her family approached them.

The Puppy Pair nuzzled Sarah happily Ash, Pikachu and Kukui went to the wild Rockruff. The Lycanroc couple came to their sons with firm glares at them causing the Puppy Pair to wince in shame. But, then they smiled as they licked them with pride as if they were congratulating them on their initiative to train on their own as they did. The two Rockruff smiled in relief, now knowing that their parents aren't too mad at them even if they have some explaining to do.

"Hey, Rockruff, how you doing?" Ash greeted the wild Rockruff before he also addressed the Puppy Pair. "You guys are amazing! You were so cool taking on those strong Pokemon!"

Rockruff barked happily from the praise but the Puppy Pair stopped and frowned before they looked down. The first brother directed a disappointed glare to the ground while the second brother sighed in disappointment as he slumped, both of them remembering their battle with the Mythical Pokemon. "Aww, Puppy Pair, don't be so sad.." Sarah cooed, rubbing them. "Don't let the lost bring you down, you'll get stronger.."

The Puppy Pair tilted their heads at her. "The Mythical Pokemon thought you did really well and even those Lycanroc knew you trained hard," she reassured before she grew concerned for them. "But, there is a reason why you were training so hard and why you got hurt badly for it, right?"

Their parents nodded in agreement wanting to know why they did what they did and why they'd train with a complete stranger.

The Puppy Pair sighed and explained why they went to Clawmark Hill and how they met the strange Mythical Pokemon who trained them. Sarah's other Pokemon listened in on them and they soon understood.

"I see... So, that's it," Silvally nodded in particular.

Sarah was stumped, "What?"

"Our Grand Trial win with you, myself, and Ponyta inspired them to train harder but they didn't know how. What's more, they still carried the mental scars from Team Skull's kidnapping of their parents. They were still disappointed they didn't do enough to save them when they finally found them and wanted to train harder to make sure it doesn't happen again.

They felt like they were falling behind the rest of us and when they needed help, the Mythical Pokemon came to them and asked if they needed help as they wished. Then, he brought them to Clawmark Hill and the rest is history," he finished.

Sarah understood now and so did the Lycanroc couple as they nuzzled their sons in comfort.

"I get it, you felt like you weren't strong enough to save your parents from Team Skull by yourselves and became inspired by our Grand Trial victory to train harder so you can protect them and us from them and Team Rocket should they do us harm with the Pokemon's help?" she summarized to the Puppy Pair, which they nodded in confirmation.

"Oh, that's nice of the Pokemon to do this for you," she sighed to them. "But, make sure you tell your parents next time you do this."

They whined and nodded in agreement to her order. The Lycanroc Couple smiled at their sons while Ash spoke to Rockruff, "Hey, how about we do some training? You and me together, to learn a new move?" Rockruff smiled and barked and Pikachu agreed, "Pika Pika.."

"Pikachu will help too." Ash said. "So what do you say, you learn and new move and then go beat that Magmar." Rockruff barked happily and nuzzled Ash. Sarah turned to her Puppy Pair, "How about we train too, so you two can learn a new move to help with battling that new pokemon?" Sarah suggested. The Puppy Pair leaped up and down happily, but still Sarah couldn't help but wonder, "What was that pokemon anyway...?"

"Rotom Dex couldn't identify it. But we now know its an Electric Type pokemon." Ash stated. Pikachu nodded.

"But, why would you guys-zzt go through all that trouble?" Rotom-Dex asked skeptically.

"I wouldn't call that trouble, I just want to help Rockruff! That enough?" Ash reasoned.

"Reason enough...? Wait, I think I get it-zzt!" Rotem-Dex realized.

"What do you say, Rockruff? You'll learn a new move and beat that Magmar and the Mythical Pokemon" Ash said, trying to make facial expressions of Magmar and the Mythical Pokemon. But, all he did was make Sarah comically fall over in embarrassment before she picked herself up.

The Puppy Pair looked towards her for her answer. "Well, I suppose you want to start training for your rematch against the Mythical Pokemon, do you?" she asked them.

"Ruff!" the Puppy Pair barked happily.

Sarah smiled and her Pokemon nodded, "Alright, we'll start tomorrow." The Puppy Pair cheered and happily nuzzled her, although the stones on their necks made it uncomfortable for her. The other Pokemon couldn't help but speak up in encouragement for them and even their parents, James, and Nikki had to smile.

No one realized it as they were speaking with Rockruff and the Puppy Pair but watching them from the trees was the Mythical Pokemon as it narrowed its eyes in amusement at the Puppy Pair.

"Zera, Zera..." it whispered to the Puppy Pair before it left the group into the darkness of the night.


The Next Morning...

Sarah, Ash, Professor Kukui, Nikki, James and their pokemon were on the beach. "I think Rockruff is trying to learn Rock Throw." Professor Kukui said.

"Rock Throw, you think?" Ash asked. Kukui nodded, "Rock Throw is the most basic Rock Type pokemon moves."

Rotom Dex came up then, "And it's especially effective against Magmar, a fire type."

"So, while you guys are teaching Rockruff Rock Throw, we'll train the Puppy Pair to learn a new move for their rematch against the Mythical Pokemon," James announced.

"Sounds like a plan," Professor Kukui agreed. "Come on, Ash, let's move and start teaching Rock Throw to our little buddy."

He then moved Ash, Pikachu, and Rockruff to another spot on the beach with Rotem-Dex following them, leaving Sarah, her parents, and their Pokemon with the Puppy Pair and their mother and father.

"Now, from what we know from their last battle," began James again, "the Mythical Pokemon has one attack we don't know but it knows Iron Tail, Close Combat, Drain Punch, and Thunderpunch."

"And, it has such unparalleled speed," Nikki put in. "Not even the Pokemon during last night's training class at Clawmark Hill are capable of such a feat."

"Even with the Puppy Pair double teaming it, the Mythical Pokemon was always one step ahead of them," Sarah added, thoughtfully. "They did get a few hits in it but that won't be enough."

"Lycanroc..." the family turned and saw the Lycanroc Couple. "Lycanroc." Dusk form Lycanroc said.

"She said they wanna help train their sons." Silvally said.

"Help train them? Alright, but what moves do you two know that your sons can learn too?" Sarah asked. The Lycanroc Couple decided to demonstrate what skills they have to help everyone decide which skills to teach their sons for the rematch, telling their sons to join their trainer and her family as they stepped forward and faced each other.

In a mock battle, the Lycanroc Couple pounced at each other before they start to go at each other. Their move sets were a little more varied compared to what their sons already know. Aside from sharing Rock Throw and Sand Attack with her mate, the Dusk Lycanroc attacks using Howl, Rock Slide, Brick Break, Protect, and amusingly, Attract. The Midnight Lycanroc, however, knows Accelerock, Leer, Crunch, Fire Fang, Iron Defense, and Sucker Punch.

When they finished, the Puppy Pair cheered and ran over to their parents to nuzzle them.

Everyone was astonished by the Lycanroc Couple's move sets but they knew they could only pick one move for either brother to learn. Rotom Dex came over to them, "I saw the small mock battle between the Lycanroc and I think Rock Slide would be a good move for the Puppy Pair."

"Rock Slide, you think?" Sarah asked.

Rotom Dex replied, "Yes, Rock Slide works very similar to Rock Throw, except the rocks are a lot bigger in size than Rock Throw and it can hit multiple opponents at once, so with a double Rock Slide, the pair might be able to do more damage to the Mythical Pokemon."

The Puppy Pair barked happily, wagging their tails, wanting to learn Rock Slide like their mother. "But, there's the problem with the Mythical Pokemon's speed," reminded Nikki. "How can they counter that when they need time to charge their Rock Slide?"

Everyone realized Nikki was right. Even Sarah knew, like her mother, that one new attack could only go so far for the Puppy Pair. "Maybe you should have them train with a pokemon that's also really quick." Rotom suggested. "If the Puppy Pair become used to battling a pokemon with high speed, maybe they can find a way to adapt to it."

"Hmm... maybe..." Sarah thought. "But it also needs to know Close Combat as well." The Midnight Lycanroc approaches Silvally and tells him that he thinks one of the Rockruff can learn to use Protect in addition to Rock Slide.

"Good idea," nodded the Synthetic Pokemon in agreement before turning to Sarah. "Perhaps one of their sons can also learn how to use Protect as their father had."

"You think so?" Sarah asked.

"Hey, that's right-zzt!" buzzed Rotom-Dex. "Protect can allow the Puppy Pair to use that attack as a feint to cover for Rock Slide! But, they should learn when to use it since it's more likely to fail if used in succession."

"If that's the case, then let's do it," James decided. "But, we'll need a Pokemon whose speed is close to that of the Mythical Pokemon's to do that and more. Do we have a volunteer for that?"

"Hmm... I know. Lucario, come here, buddy." Nikki called and Lucario came over to her, "Hmmm.. Lucario, smart choice." Rotom Dex praised. "Let me measure its speed. One sec..." Rotom Dex scanned Lucario and gathered its data, "Perfect, its speed is close to that of the Mythical Pokemon and it knows Close Combat and Thunderpunch, two moves that the Mythical Pokemon also knows as well."

"Well, that takes care of that. First, we should test to see if we can have the Puppy Pair improve their reaction time to the Mythical Pokemon's speed," Nikki announced.

With their parents, the Puppy Pair joined Nikki's Lucario as they stood on opposite ends to begin the speed test.

"Okay, Lucario, show them what you're made of! And, Lycanroc, let's show the Puppy Pair what we'll be doing for this test and they'll try it themselves!"

Lucario and the Lycanroc Couple nodded in agreement and the Aura Pokemon got ready to attack. The Lycanroc Pokemon told their sons to stand back and watch them first before they practice improving their speed themselves.

"Okay, Lycanroc, ready?" The Lycanroc Couple nodded before turning to Lucario. "You ready, boy?" Lucario nodded in agreement as well as they all waited for Nikki's signal. "...NOW!"

The Dusk and Midnight Lycanroc attacked first to have Lucario demonstrate its speed before they demonstrate their own, launching Rock Throw and Accelerock before the Dusk Lycanroc used Rock Slide last. Seeing the Rock Type attacks coming at it, Lucario dodged the attacks with efficient speed and precision as everyone, particularly the Puppy Pair, watched on with intrigue.

Then, Lucario and the Lycanroc Couple switched roles with the Wolf Pokemon being the defenders while the Aura Pokemon became the attacker as it unleashed a flurry of Aura Spheres onto them while they dodged with grace and technique. The Puppy Pair were in awe of their parents' dodging as they watched the Dusk and Midnight Lycanroc avoid the Aura Spheres with the lightness and agility of a flying phoenix combined with the ferocity and power of a fierce tiger.

"Way cool, Lucario, Lycanroc!" Sarah congratulated the couple and Lucario.

"This is what we'll need to go for with the Puppy Pair," Sarah told her parents. The Puppy Pair happily barked together and leaped up and down with excitement. "We'll definitely need to reach that level of speed for them," agreed Nikki. She then turned to the Puppy Pair, "Ok, you two, take your place. We'll do you two next."

"Ruff, Ruff!" the Puppy Pair barked before they went opposite to Lucario as they took their parents' place while Lucario took its own again. Nikki looked to Sarah to allow her to give the go-ahead to Lucario and the Puppy Pair.

"Ready, Lucario?" Lucario nodded to its trainer's daughter and then, she looked to the Puppy Pair. "Ready, boys?" The Puppy Pair barked back in agreement, ready to begin their speed test. "GO!"

The Puppy Pair barked and rushed towards the fighting and steel type Pokémon. "Rockruff...!"

Lucario anticipated the Puppy Pair coming and began to battle them so to help them increase their speed using their usual physical attacks and occasionally, their special attacks for target practice. The training was arduous for the Puppy Pair as they struggled to keep up with the Aura Pokemon while the others stood by and did whatever they could to help them.

In a training montage, Sarah, her family, and their Pokemon worked to help the Puppy Pair learn Rock Slide and get one of them to also learn Protect with Lucario working with them towards improving their teamwork, their counters, their dodging, and their endurance to strong attacks. There were moments where they stumbled and fell flat but they were persistent and determined to better themselves as warriors.

It took them much of the day to help the Puppy Pair improve before their next training session at Clawmark Hill and by then, they were ready to show the Mythical Pokemon how much they've improved in a short period of time.

The Puppy Pair were now laying against their parents as Sarah and her family for dinner ready for everyone. Dusk form Lycanroc licked her two sons. The Midnight form Lycanroc smiled at his mate and sons. They could tell they were proud of the Puppy Pair for all their hard work and were ready for their next training session with the Mythical Pokemon at Clawmark Hill.

Their prior worries were justified as they told them to be careful and not do anything reckless in their next practice match against the stranger but their sons assured them that they're ready after everything they and their family taught them. The Midnight Lycanroc and his Dusk mate decided to trust them as they nuzzled them again while everyone settled down for dinner.


That night, everyone and the Puppy Pair joined Professor Kukui, Ash, Pikachu, and Rockruff as the three Puppy Pokemon returned to Clawmark Hill to complete their training. While Rockruff and the Puppy Pair made their way to Clawmark Hill, the others stayed behind as before to watch how their progress has really changed since last night.

"Are we far enough away?" Rotom Dex asked.

"Yeah, but we can hear and see them, so its fine..." Ash said.

"Pika." Pikachu pointed and they saw Rockruff approaching Magmar once more.

The Magmar from before smirked as it saw Rockruff approaching it after it had defeated its own opponents ago. After how their last battle went, it wasn't expecting much from the wild Puppy Pokemon. The Puppy Pair stayed on the sidelines to watch how Rockruff has changed and if he's finally learned Rock Throw.

"Do you think he's ready for the Magmar this time, Professor?" Sarah asked.

"Well, we'll find out. After what you told me about the Puppy Pair's training, I'm sure he's ready after everything we've put him through," said Professor Kukui.

Rockruff started by charging Magmar, who unleashed Flamethrower, but Rockruff leaped to the sides and dodged the move. The other pokemon cheered him on.

The Puppy Pair joined in the cheering... Well, mostly the second brother, as the first brother nodded in approval with a small smirk. Even the Midday and Midnight Lycanroc were intrigued as to what Rockruff is up to in his match against Magmar.

Finally, after learning from his mistakes last time, Rockruff landed a hard Tackle at the Spit Fire Pokemon's stomach as it was thrown back a little.

"Alright, Rockruff! Yeah!" "Pika, Pikachu, Pi!" cheered Ash and Pikachu, being extremely careful to not let the Pokemon hear them.

"Hey, he's not bad now," James commented with Nikki nodding in agreement. "No, he isn't."

"How do you suppose the little Ruby's changed?" Silvally asked Sarah as her Pokemon looked to her for her opinion.

"Well, that Tackle after that dodge is a good start, maybe he's got another trick up his sleeve," Sarah answered. Professor Kukui nodded in agreement as they looked on.

A little annoyed from what it considered a lucky shot from his tiny opponent, Magmar struck back with Fire Punch.

Rockruff was struck and he hit the ground. The pokemon gasped. Rockruff recovered and dodged another Flamethrower by leaping high into the air and his collar glowed white, "Here it comes." Ash said.

"It's going to use Rock Throw." Rotom Dex added.

"Hope its a good one." Kukui stated.

This was the moment of truth for Rockruff, it was time to show everyone what he's learned since his last practice match. But, as he started to gather his energy and then directed it towards the stones on his rocky collar, Magmar smirked and unleashed another Flamethrower attack, making a direct hit. The Pokemon bystanders gasped and even the Puppy Pair were a little worried for their wild friend.

The Puppy Pokemon, however, emerged from the flames in one piece with his own smirk as he jumped into the air and finished charging his final attack, ready to end the match. Magmar wouldn't let it happen as it jumped up to meet Rockruff with a final Fire Punch.

Unfortunately, for the Spit Fire Pokemon, it's attack didn't connect as the wild Puppy Pokemon dodged it and released his newly learned Rock Throw and scored a direct hit on his Fire Type opponent.

Magmar was thrown to the ground after it was hit and when the dust finally settled by the time Rockruff was on his paws again, Magmar was out cold.

"Alright!" Ash exclaimed.

"Pika..!" Pikachu added.

"That was super effective." Rotom added.

But, that was only the start as the Puppy Pair stepped up to the Midday and Midnight Lycanroc and told them that they're ready for their training match. The two Lycanroc nodded in approval and both let out long howls to call someone to Clawmark Hill.

A powerful thunderbolt struck the plateau as a familiar Pokemon appeared and stood to face the Puppy Pair. The two brothers smirked as they faced their opponent as it took off its cloak again to reveal the Mythical Pokemon they battled before.

"It's time..." Professor Kukui announced as everyone watched in anticipation while the Puppy Pair and their Mythical opponent got into battle stance. The three Pokemon waited a few seconds for someone to start until the Puppy Pair decided to go first again. The Puppy Pair readied two Bite attacks but the Mythical Pokemon countered with Thunderpunch. The attacks came together and the three pokemon were pushed back. The Puppy Pair barked and unleashed a double Rock Throw at the Mythical Pokemon.

The Mythical Pokemon dodged the attacks at near blinding speed and when it finished, the Puppy Pair was nowhere to be seen.

It felt a presence coming up from behind it as it held its right arm to block an incoming Bite attack from the first brother. The Mythical Pokemon was surprised from this, what happened to the second brother? It didn't have time to think about it as it prepared to use Thunderpunch to force the first brother off.

The first brother realized this and quickly let go before he could get shocked and then ran for a surprise Tackle, pushing his opponent back a little.

"Zera..." the Mythical Pokemon hissed in amusement before looking around. The first brother told it that it'll see his brother soon as he charged towards the Pokemon with another Tackle.

Narrowing it's eyes, the Mythical Pokemon charged to use Close Combat but it's first punch was blocked by a glowing green shield surrounding its little opponent. It widened its eyes in surprise, recognizing the move as Protect.

The Mythical Pokemon then heard a bark from above and it looked up, only to gasp in shock at the second brother smirking at him before releasing a Rock Slide at the Electric Type.

The Pokemon, still stunned by the surprise appearance of the second brother, didn't have time to dodge before it was hit by the Rock Slide as the Puppy Pair regrouped and shared a quick tail bump before they retained their glares towards their stronger adversary. The Mythical Pokemon smirked as it hissed from the pain; clearly, it realized that its opponents were stronger, smarter, and faster than they were before.

"They got him!" Ash gasped in shock. Sarah wasn't so sure as she and her family looked on, "Don't start cheering too soon, they got it good but they're just getting started!"

She was right, the Puppy Pair and the Pokemon charged at each other with a Double Tackle and a Thunderpunch as they met and skidded back from the blast. When they did, the Mythical Pokemon zipped towards their side, much to their surprise.

The Puppy Pair recovered and saw the Mythical Pokemon forming a ball of electricity in its paws and then punching the ground, sending electricity running across the ground towards the Puppy Pair. The duo leaped into the air and they both unleashed another double Rock Throw attack.

But, as they unleashed their Double Rock Throw, the Mythical Pokemon dodged the twin attack again but this time, it jumped on the stones before it disappeared, surprising the Puppy Pair. But, their moment of shock was cut off when they felt themselves being kicked and punched in mid-air as the Electric Pokemon unleashed Close Combat.

"UNREAL-ZZT" Rotom-Dex whispered in shock. "The Mythical Pokemon is using Close Combat in the air!"

"So, it must've learned a few things from its last battle with them, too," Professor Kukui mused seriously.

The Lycanroc Couple looked on, worried for their sons, as they fell to the ground and got on their legs shakily while their opponent landed on its feet.

"Ruff, Ruff, Rockruff, Rock!" the first brother snapped as his second brother growled. It was clear that they needed to finish this battle if they were to prove themselves to the mythical stranger.

The Mythical Pokemon agreed to a final showdown to decide who will come out on top.

The two brothers charged the Mythical Pokemon once again. The Mythical Pokmeon aimed a Drain Punch for them both, but the two brothers leapt up and over the Mythical Pokemon and the second brother unleashed Rock Slide. "Rooo...!" The Mythical Pokemon dodged the large rocks by leaping into the air and performed Iron Tail... but it didn't hit anything!

"Zer?" It looked around for the two Rockruff brothers, "Hey where'd they-?" Sarah started.

"PIka!" Pikachu pointed and the two Rockruffs came bursting from behind the rocks and landed a double Bite attack!

The Double Bite attack landed on its right arm and right knee as the Mythical Pokemon snarled loudly in pain before it used Thunderpunch to bash them away as they rolled on the ground but they got up, still shaking on their knees but refusing to give up. The Electric Type knelt down on its injured knee and held its right arm as it panted with them.

"Rock, Rockruff, Rock, Ruff, Ruff!" the first brother panted. His second brother looked like he was on his last legs but the first brother was determined to win the match for both of them, even if one of them falls from a promise they made before they came back to Clawmark Hill.

A few tense moments of silence passed by before finally... The stranger got up and chuckled and made impressed grunts as if it was telling them that it was impressed by how much they've improved in a short time.

The Puppy Pair was surprised but they eventually howled their thanks towards the stranger as the Pokemon cheered loudly for all three of them, mostly for the Puppy Pair.

The first brother then lunged at the Mythical Pokemon once more. The Mythical Pokemon unleashed Thunderpunch but the brother used Protect and blocked the attack. The second brother, once he regained his breath, joined his brother and charged forth with Tackle.

But, then it was time for them to unleash their final attacks and put an end to their battle as the Pokemon was forced back and the brothers regrouped.

They charged up their final attacks, knowing that it all rides on their final clash. The Puppy Pair charged up Rock Slide again while the Electric Type began to perform its signature move as its eyes glowed and it charged up its body as a light blue orb developed in its paws.

"How long can they keep this up?" Sarah cried in shock.

"This is it, Ponchita," James said firmly, keeping his eyes on the battle. "I got a feeling that these last two attacks will decide it all!"

The three Pokemon waited for the opportune moment to finish their battle. And then, by a crow of a stray Pikipek as it flew off when they narrowed their eyes, the Puppy Pair released Rock Slide while the Mythical Pokemon slammed the ground and the electricity traveled across the ground to meet with the Rock Slide, causing a deadlock.

The deadlock lasted for a few tense minutes as everyone watched to see who would come out on top but the two attacks were so powerful, they exploded and released a blast that nearly shook everyone off their feet!

When the dust finally settled, everyone saw that the Puppy Pair and their opponent were in one piece, out of breath and panting heavily. Their battle ended in a draw.

At last, the Pokemon stood up and walked to the Puppy Pair, bearing the wounds it gained. It growled at them with pride, saying how proud it was to have battled with them and with their newfound strength of heart.

The Puppy Pair was shocked but they gave happy howls of thanks while everyone cheered, even Rockruff. The Midnight and Midday Lycanroc nodded in approval with huge grins for their pupils as well.

Ash was confused. "Huh? Did the Pokemon just throw in the towel?" he asked in surprise.

Sarah chucked, "No, there was no need to go on, the Pokemon was satisfied with what it saw in them. Even if it is a draw, they won..." The Puppy Pair were shocked while the pokemon cheered happily for the two. The Midday and Midnight form Lycanroc howled and so did the Puppy Pair... and... the first brother started to glow in a blue light, much to everyone's shock!

"Hey, what's going on?!" Ash shouted in shock.

"The first brother, he's evolving!" Professor Kukui answered, amazed by the evolution.

"Roc..." The Lycanroc Couple growled as they watched in amazement. Their first son was evolving but which form he'll choose, nobody knows. The second brother watched in awe as his older brother evolved, remembering the promise they made to each other that should one fall in their battle with the stranger that helped them, the other one should continue to fight. And now, it looked as though his brother's evolution is a result of him keeping their promise when he was on his last legs.

When the first brother emerged from his new evolution under the full moon, he looked exactly like his father before he opened his eyes and let out a proud howl. Everyone watched in silence before cheering for the Puppy Pair again, the first brother had become a Midnight Lycanroc.

"Rockruff!" the second brother cheered as he nuzzled his first brother while he returned a happy hug. "It evolved into Midnight form Lycanroc!" Rotom Dex exclaimed. Sarah's pokemon gasped in awe, "Well I'll be.." Silvally said with a smile.

"The first brother, he's just like his father now!" James shouted in awe.

"He's evolved into a Midnight Lycanroc," added Nikki in amazement.

"YES!" Sarah finally cried with glee while her Pokemon cheered with her, congratulating the Puppy Pair and the first brother from their current location.

The Lycanroc Couple on the other hand, nuzzled each other joyfully as proud tears streamed down from their eyes. Their sons had done it, they proved themselves to the Mythical Pokemon and their first son had become a Midnight Lycanroc out of it. The Pokemon continued to cheer as the Mythical Pokemon gave its final parting grunts to the Puppy Pair before it took its cloak and disappeared in a thunderbolt. The Puppy Pair howled one last time in gratitude to the Pokemon. Their training with it may be over but they knew it wouldn't be the last time they see it again.


Later that night...

Ash, Kukui, Pikachu, Sarah's Pokemon, her parents and the Lycanroc Couple were all near Professor Kukui's house. Rockruff and Pikachu were playing with each other happily. The Dusk Form Lycanroc nuzzled one of her now evolved sons, "Lycanroc..." she said.

"Lycan..." her son replied. His brother was leaping up and down, happy for his brother for evolving while his father smiled at the three of them. "The Puppy Pair and Rockruff were amazing," Ash gawked in awe with a smile.

Professor Kukui couldn't help but smile, too, "That Rock Throw Rockruff did really made waves back at Clawmark Hill. But, the Puppy Pair made bigger waves with their battle against the Mythical Pokemon and how they fared from last time."

"I agree, that Rock Slide shield they did before their final assault was amazing and the first brother was smart in using Protect as he did," James added.

"Too bad we won't know its name before it left," Sarah added before she turned to the Puppy Pair and their parents with a smile. "But, I suppose we'll find out another time, especially since we have it to thank for this."

"Do you think the second brother will evolve?" Ash asked her. Sarah sighed happily, "That's up to him, I can't make that choice for him."

"Rockruff...!" the second brother barked before leaping onto Sarah's chest and nuzzling her and he did the same thing with her parents, happily.

"Truer words never spoken, Sarah," Professor Kukui congratulated her.

"Good job, Ponchita. You keep that in mind, little guy," James complimented happily. Nikki agreed as she giggled, "My daughter made the right choice, little guy. We're glad we could help." For the rest of the night, the Puppy Pair was showered with praise for their performance in their training match against the Mythical Pokemon while Professor Kukui asked Ash to take Rockruff as his own, which he and the wild Puppy Pokemon happily agreed.

No one realized it but from a distance, out of sight and from a distance, they were being watched by a familiar, proud and satisfied Electric Pokemon, its eyes fixed on the Puppy Pair and their family, and most of all, Sarah. "Zera, Zeraora..." it sighed happily before it dashed off to where its home is.

And so, in a fated meeting and battle with a strange Mythical Pokemon that took an interest to them and their trainer, the Puppy Pair proved themselves in their training spree at Clawmark Hill, allowing the Lycanroc Couple's first son to evolve into a Midnight Lycanroc. But, who was the Pokemon that helped them become stronger and what does it want with Sarah? What new adventures await everyone with the first brother's evolution? Will the strange Pokemon reappear to help the Puppy Pair and their family again when they need it? All the answers will come in due time as the journey continues!


Sarah's Team:

1. Pikachu

Moves - Thundershock, Tackle, Thunderpunch

2. Rockruff

Moves - Rock Throw, Bite, Tackle, Rock Slide

3. Lycanroc (Midnight Form)

Moves - Rock Throw, Bite, Tackle, Protect

4. Silvally

Moves - Crush Claw, Air Slash, Hyper Beam, Swords Dance, Dragon Claw, Multi Attack, Tri Attack

5. Mudsdale

Moves - High Horsepower, Double Kick, Mud Slap, Bulldoze

6. Wooloo

Moves - Wild Charge, Tackle, Electro Ball

7. Ponyta (Galar Form)

Moves - Dazzling Gleam, Moonblast, High Horsepower, Heal Pulse

8. Meowth (Alola Form)

Moves - Thunderbolt, Scratch, Iron Tail, Dark Pulse

9. Popplio

Moves - Pound, Water Gun, Icy Wind, Bubblebeam

10. Milotic

Moves - Dragon Pulse, Ice Beam, Twister, Mirror Coat