Joy told Liam that Prof. Oak wanted to talk to him. Liam walked over to the phone and called. As a rare occurrence, Oak's Rotom was not in front of the phone's camera as soon as it rang. Oak picked up, but something seemed off. 
"Is something wrong Prof?" Liam inquired.
Oak told Liam that he had gotten a call from the Characfic Valley, and Smaug's mother had passed. He felt that it would be better if Smaug was with Liam for a while. Liam understood and sent his Alolan Marrowak to Oak. Liam said goodbye to Oak, and returned to his friends, also visibly saddened.