Hana catches an Alolan Meowth, who develops an intense rivalry with her current Meowth.
Houston runs into Hau again and they start hanging out.
Hau reveals that his Popplio has evolved into a Brionne.
Houston encounters Gladion again and is challenged to a battle.
During the battle, Rowlet evolves into Dartix and learns Synthesis. However, it loses the ability to use Razor Leaf and Peck.
Gladion defeats Houston and gives him advice, leading him to believe that Gladion isn't a bad person.
An old Decidueye trainer named Robin takes Houston and Dartix under his wing.
He tells them of how he challenged Tapu Lele in his youth and ended up with a damaged Z-Ring.
Tapu Koko informs Tapu Lele of Robin training Houston , so it shows up on Melemele Island with the desire for a rematch and Houston and Dartrix ask to join. Tapu Lele allows it.
Dartrix regains the ability to use Razor Leaf and Peck, as well as learning Leaf Blade.
Robin uses Decidueye's exclusive Z-Move, Sinister Arrow Raid. The attack costs him his Z-Ring, but the crystal is left intact.
Houston and Robin succeed in impressing Tapu Lele who gives them both Psychium-Z, as well as a new Z-Ring Ore for Robin.
Robin bids the two farewell, but secretly gives Dartrix his Decidium-Z without Houston noticing.
Houston and Hau later assist a man named Faba against Team Skull.
Faba invites them to Aether Paradise, an artificial island owned by the Aether Foundation. They try to invite Lillie, but she adamantly refuses and states that she's heading to Ula Ula Island with Kukui.
After a brief tour, they meet Lusamine, the Aether President and Wicke in the preservation area. They were speaking with Dexio and Sina, researchers from Kalos.
They mention that strange energy signatures here in Alola have attracted the attention of a Legendary Pokémon known as Zygarde.
Lusamine assures them that none of these strange or dangerous occurences have taken place on Aether Paradise. The two relent and decide to focus on learning more about Zygarde. With Aether lending them equipment as a sign of goodwill.
After Sina and Dexio leave, an Ultra Wormhole appears in the preservation area!
An Ultra Beast classified as UB-01: Symbiont comes out. It starts out calm but soon becomes violent! Houston's Diglett and Hau's Brionne battle it and Brionne learns Aqua Jet! All the while, Lusamine stares in awe.
UB-01 flees back into the Ultra Wormhole. Some Aether Employees whisper something to Lusamine and she snaps out of her trance. She tells Houston and Hau that the foundation will be very careful and that they won't need to worry about future UB appearances.
Houston and Hau take what she says with a grain of salt and they are gifted Malasadas and rare Apricorn Balls as trophies of their victory. Wicke also offers to take them to Ula'Ula Island and they accept.
On the island, A Zygarde Core is searching for something and gets collected by Sina and Dexio.
Pokémon
(Houston)
Dartrix (Leaf Blade, Peck, Razor Leaf, Synthesis)
Male, Hau'oli City
Ability: Overgrow
Buneary (Pound, Quick Attack, Foresight, Jump Kick)
Male, Manalo Trail
Ability: Run Away
Diglett (Metal Claw, Dig, Mud Bomb, n/a)
Male, Verdant Cavern
Ability: Sand Veil
Charjabug (X-Scissor, Double Team, Dig, Spark)
Female, Route 5
Ability: Battery
Vulpix (Ember, Tail Whip, Secret Power, Fire Spin)
Male, Heahea City
Ability: Flash Fire