With Ash's return, Professor Oak's lab in Pallet Town had once again become lively.
Unlike last time when Ash only made it to the Top 16, this time he had won the Orange League Championship, and Professor Oak was planning a grand celebration in his honor.
Klein was also invited to the banquet.
By noon, Professor Oak was busy conducting research with his new apprentice, Tracey, alongside Ash. They were studying the lab's ecosystem and environmental changes.
Misty and Brock, Ash's longtime companions, were also learning a great deal during their visit.
Tracey, in particular, was excited to follow his idol, Professor Oak, as they explored the Pokémon research area.
Professor Oak was in high spirits—not just because of Tracey's potential, but also because he missed his grandson, Gary, who had been away from Pallet Town for quite some time.
"That large nature reserve next door is actually the breeding facility for Elite Four Klein. Besides the Pokémon he keeps on Cinnabar Island, he also has a sizable group here in Pallet Town."
Hearing Klein's name, Ash's curiosity was piqued.
"Can we go check it out?"
"I don't see why not," Professor Oak replied.
Although Klein's breeding area wasn't open to the public, Professor Oak was personally overseeing it on his behalf. With the professor guiding them, there was no issue with visiting.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket's Jessie, James, and Meowth were eavesdropping from the bushes.
"Did you hear that? Those twerps are heading to the Elite Four's Pokémon breeding facility!"
"Yeah! That means there's gotta be a ton of strong Pokémon there, meow!"
Their eyes gleamed with greed.
Klein's Pokémon were bound to be powerful. If they could steal even one, their status in Team Rocket would soar.
In reality, Pallet Town housed multiple breeding facilities, many of which were specifically set up for the Elite Four.
These high-security facilities received significant League funding, and trainers who reached the Elite Four rank never had to worry about the cost of raising Pokémon.
Before becoming an Elite Four, raising Pokémon required an enormous personal investment.
But after ascending to that rank, they no longer had to fret about finances.
"This breeding area contains over fifty Ground-, Rock-, and Steel-type Pokémon, so it requires expert handlers," Professor Oak explained.
"So cool…"
As Ash and his friends stepped into the reserve, three figures suddenly emerged, blocking their path.
However, upon recognizing Professor Oak, the trio quickly stepped aside.
"Are those Lycanroc?"
Tracey was still trying to recall the Pokémon's name when Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader, immediately recognized them.
"They're all Lycanroc! But why do they look different?"
Brock wasn't sure how to answer, so he turned to Professor Oak.
The professor cleared his throat and explained, "Lycanroc can evolve into different forms depending on the time of day they evolve."
The Three Forms of Lycanroc
Midday Form Lycanroc
Midday Lycanroc had sandy brown fur and piercing blue eyes.
Its defining features were four sharp, rock-like spines around its neck.
It was a swift and agile fighter, specializing in counterattacks.
Rather than brute force, it relied on clever dodging to outmaneuver opponents, striking back at the perfect moment.
Additionally, Midday Lycanroc was known for its fierce loyalty.
A trainer who guided it through its rebellious Rockruff phase would earn its unwavering trust.
Among the three Lycanroc, the Midday Form watched Ash's group with a wary yet non-hostile gaze.
Midnight Form Lycanroc
Midnight Lycanroc, in contrast, had crimson fur and glowing red eyes.
Unlike the Midday Form, it stood on two legs and lacked the long, rock-like mane.
Instead, its sharp, jagged fur formed a natural weapon on its head.
This form thrived on provocation, luring opponents into attacking so it could unleash devastating counterattacks with Payback.
It relished battle, growing more excited the stronger its opponent was.
Even when injured, it fought recklessly, refusing to retreat.
Compared to the Midday Form's composed demeanor, the Midnight Form radiated an intense, bloodthirsty aura, sending chills down even Professor Oak's spine.
Dusk Form Lycanroc
Dusk Lycanroc combined traits of both other forms.
It had Midday Lycanroc's build and rocky mane, but its fur was a deep sunset orange, and its eyes glowed green.
Unlike its counterparts, Dusk Lycanroc was calm and composed, never panicking even in dire situations.
It listened intently to trusted trainers, always executing their commands with precision.
However, when battles grew fierce, its hidden instincts kicked in, leading it to engage in extreme close-combat or counterattacks with Payback.
Among the trio, Dusk Lycanroc studied the newcomers with a curious yet calculating gaze.
These three Lycanroc—Midday, Midnight, and Dusk—were like the legendary "Three Werewolf Brothers."
They formed a key part of Klein's sandstorm team, serving as unique offensive units.
Suddenly, metallic rings shot through the air, clamping down on Ash, Professor Oak, and the others.
Taking advantage of their distraction, Team Rocket had successfully infiltrated the reserve and launched their attack.
Ash and his Pokémon were immediately restrained, even Professor Oak winced as his back gave out.
"Who's there?!"
A familiar voice rang out:
"Prepare for trouble…"
"And make it double!"
Jessie, James, and Meowth appeared midair, reciting their signature motto.
Their restraining devices were shockingly well-made—based on the same technology used by Lawrence III to capture the Legendary Birds at Shamouti Island.
Or rather, a cheap knockoff of it.
Even so, these restraints retained over 90% of the original's durability.
For a group that never had much money, Team Rocket always managed to invent unexpectedly effective gadgets.
The capture rings targeted the Pokémon within Klein's reserve, but the Lycanroc trio quickly sprang into action, forming a defensive triangle.
Dusk Lycanroc, standing at the forefront, let out a fierce roar.
Its claws shimmered with a metallic glow—Crush Claw!
With a single swipe, the capture rings shattered.
Seeing this, Midnight Lycanroc's eyes glowed blood-red with fury, terrifying Meowth into silence.
Although the restraints were strong, they were useless if they failed to latch onto their targets.
With perfect teamwork, the three Lycanroc had completely neutralized Team Rocket's attack.
"Meowth, do something!"
Jessie panicked and shoved Meowth forward.
But before Meowth could react, Dusk Lycanroc struck again.
Stone Edge!
Razor-sharp rocks erupted from the ground, blasting Meowth straight into the sky, shattering the remaining capture rings in the process.
"How is this possible?!"
Team Rocket was in disbelief.
They had assumed that capturing Ash would guarantee their success, not realizing the true guardians of this place were Klein's Pokémon.
Truthfully, Klein had stationed the Lycanroc trio here mainly to protect the younger Pokémon, like Swinub and Sandile.
Just then, a cold voice rang out:
"You three sure have some guts, causing trouble in my breeding facility."
Hearing this, Jessie, James, and Meowth froze in terror.
Turning around, they saw Klein standing in his gray cloak, alongside Gary, both glaring at them.
"We're sorry! We won't do it again!"
Team Rocket immediately bowed in apology.
Klein blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
Wait… Team Rocket was actually apologizing?
"You fell for it!"
Meowth suddenly grinned and pulled out a rocket launcher, firing it directly at Klein's face!
BOOM!
"Success! Even the crazy Elite Four member can't handle this!"
They had actually ambushed an Elite Four member.
Even Professor Oak was sweating.
Did they really think this was enough to take down Klein?
As the smoke cleared, Klein's VR visor flickered, generating a small electromagnetic barrier that had completely nullified the explosion.
Jessie, James, and Meowth instinctively tried to flee—only to find the Lycanroc trio blocking their escape route.
The three wolves radiated an ominous killing intent.
Cold, merciless, terrifying.
Jessie and James broke into a cold sweat.
Klein's expression darkened, his aura exuding pure menace.
"The Sandstorm Elite…"
"He's terrifying!"
"We surrender!!!"
For once, their apology was genuine.
Klein simply chuckled.
It was an amused yet chilling laugh.
For Team Rocket, it was the most terrifying sound they had ever heard.