"Jackie! Let's have a rematch!"

The first thing I heard when I arrived for my official first day of class was Ash's challenge. Not that I'm surprised. Wait...

"Is that a Z-Ring?"

He beamed at me proudly.

"Yeah! We found Tapu Koko while you were gone and we were all whoosh and bam and zap!"

Behind him, Mallow sighed, her Bounsweet happily bouncing on her head.

"Tapu Koko gave him a Thunderium Z and they had a battle. It was amazing!"

And then it appeared.

"Pikachu's electric power was magnified 40% roto!"

Rotom Dex. I admit, I might have stared at it a bit more than is healthy.

"Eh? Talking computer! I want one!"

"Roto? I am not just a talking computer! I am Rotom Dex, a master of information gathering and data analysis! I am not a simple-"

"Rotom, play Despacito!"

It - he? - blinked.

"Despacito?"

Apparently, we were having a field trip. Kukui and Olivia, Kahuna of Akala Island and Brock's future waifu was taking us on a weekend trip to Akala Island to learn about the place. I can't actually recall everything that was supposed to happen there but it seemed interesting enough.

"Oh, you can visit our farm! Mimo's gonna love meeting all of yo! Her face sparkles like a glittering star whenever she makes a new friend. You're gonna love her, she's the most adorable thing."

Aside from enduring a siscon's rant, the boat ride was going swimmingly. Unfortunately, just as the boat was passing by a particularly large outcrop of rock, my Assassin senses started to tingle.

Before I knew it, a knife was already leaving my hand, darting off toward the top of the tall rock.

"Eep!"

There, right beside the deeply embedded knife was a blue haired head.

"Wh-what's the big idea, twerp?"

My classmates turned towards the voice and I raised an eyebrow at how Ash actually looked terrifying when angry.

"Team Rocket!" They chorused. Ah, yes, anime cliches of calling out names when you see an enemy. How nostalgic.

"Did someone say Team Rocket? We're here to find out!"

Oh god, I forgot their mottos have regional variants now.

"Noble answers are what we're all about!"

"The beauty so radiant, the flowers and moon hide in shame. A single flower of evil in this fleeting world, Jessie!"

"The nobly heroic man of our times! A master of darkness fighting back against this tragic world, James!"

"It's all for one, and one for all! A glittering dark star that always shines bright! Dig it, while Meowth takes flight!"

"Team Rocket, ready to fight!"

"That's right!"

"Wobbuffet!"

Everybody stared at me as I clapped.

"What? That was great! Are they entertainers?"

"They're Pokemon thieves, Jack! Bad guys!" Ash explained. Jessie scowled at him.

"Hmph! At least one of you twerps could appreciate a good motto! Now be good little brats and hand over your Pokemon!"

This time, my Assassin senses nearly did the equivalent of slapping me upside the head. I could see Kiawe look around wildly as though sensing a threat. I could see Mallow, Lana and Lillie huddling close and shivering. I could see Sophocles cradling his tablet thingy for comfort.

"What's wrong, everyone? You beat Team Rocket before, they're not that scary, roto!"

Apparently, Rotom didn't have the same survival instinct. Even Olivia, a prospective Elite 4 member, looked like she was on a hair trigger.

"What is this oppressive feeling?" She mumbled.

On the rock, Team Rocket almost fell into the water as they flinched back.

"Raaaaalts?"

Meowth gulped.

"She asked us if we really want to try and take her from her Light? What the hell does that mean, you crazy squirt!"

The oppressive feeling became heavier. I blinked. Ralts was doing this? What was that about Light?

Without warning, Jessie, James, Meowth and Wobbuffet were floating in the air, the telltale glow of psychic power surrounding them.

"Hey, let go!"

"What's going on?"

"Wobbuffet!"

And with those last words, they were flung away. Their trajectory was actually pretty impressive.

"Umm, okay then?" I looked down at Ralts, looking cute and innocent again. Huh, maybe she loves me too much that the thought of being stolen made her really angry? That's kinda heartwarming.

I scooped her up and nuzzled her face, enjoying the way she giggled at the act.

"Love you too~" I told her.

"That was great, Ralts!"

"Un! You were pretty scary for a moment there but you sure showed them."

"Truly you are blessed by the Flames of Akala! Maybe we could visit the volcano while we're there? People visit it to ask the spirits to bless their Fire-type Pokemon."

This field trip was off to a great start.