Melemele Island, Hau'oli City.
Having finished his classes for the day, Ash was on his way to buy daily necessities for Professor Kukui.
A scene nearby caught Pikachu's attention, and in turn, Ash's.
"What's wrong, Pikachu?"
"There are so many people, Rotom!"
Looking down from the pedestrian bridge where Ash stood, they saw a crowd gathered in Fountain Plaza to watch a battle.
The Trainer with a Midnight Form Lycanroc and an Umbreon had the upper hand,
while the Trainer with a Blastoise was being pushed back.
"Blastoise, Skull Bash!"
"Lycanroc, Counter!"
Seeing those commands, Rotom couldn't help commenting, "All I can say is, there's a reason he's losing, Rotom!"
"Rotom, you're sounding more and more like Teacher Li Wei!"
"You're no different, Rotom!"
There was no upset. Lycanroc weathered Skull Bash and struck back with Counter against the middle-aged man's Pokémon.
Blastoise lost the ability to battle.
"Please battle me!"
Ash ran down the stairs from the pedestrian bridge with Pikachu and Rockruff,
and before Gladion could turn around, Pokédex Rotom was already practically in his face.
If Gladion hadn't been so composed, he probably would have punched Pokédex Rotom in the face.
"Handsome and powerful."
With just those few words, Pokédex Rotom successfully calmed down Gladion, the prickly future brother-in-law.
"A Midnight Form Lycanroc."
"Umbreon. Identity confirmed, Rotom!"
"Ash, there's a 99.99% chance he's that mysterious Lycanroc Trainer!"
Only then did Ash reach Gladion with Pikachu.
"Please battle me!"
Ash's Rockruff also stared intently at the Midnight Form Lycanroc, clearly very interested.
Lycanroc noticed Rockruff's gaze and gave a slight nod.
Midnight Form Lycanroc merely looked fierce and loved battling; they weren't actually vicious.
At the sight of Ash's face and Pikachu, a trace of surprise appeared in Gladion's eyes, but Ash didn't notice.
Gladion didn't let it