Chapter 3: A Familiar Face from The Beginning

(Somewhere in Hau'oli City)

A mysterious figure in a black cloak was looking out at the see from a walkway near the beach. After a minute or two, a mysterious trainer approached him from behind.

Mysterious trainer- You wanted to see me, sir?

Mysterious figure- Yes, I did. I trust you've already been briefed about the Charge Stones?

Mysterious trainer- Yes. Gooboo Steve has already filled me in on the situation. But why have you called me here?

Mysterious figure- Well…your friend, Ash, got a little carried away and has forced the search for the Charge Stones to start all over again. It's too risky for me to try and guide them to where the Charge Stones landed on Melemele Island without exposing myself. And I'm hoping I can at least avoid my brother until Susie returns with my order from Dyntos to help me fix my…missing arm problem…

Mysterious trainer- And you want me to guide Ash to the Charge Stones?

Mysterious figure- Yes, please. I'm sure you'll think of something to use as an alibi if Ash asks you how you know the areas where the Charge Stones landed.

Mysterious trainer- And if I run into any trouble?

Mysterious figure- Fret not, I'll be following close behind. Besides, I'm sure that stone I gave you to Mega Evolve your Charizard and the Z-Crystal to let your Pikachu use that Z-Move is more than you need.

Mysterious trainer- You know I call them…

Mysterious figure- I know what you nickname your Poke'mon, but I we don't have time for this at the moment.

(At the Hau'oli City power plant)

Ash and Shantae were explaining to Brock and Misty about what had happened inside the power plant while Officer Jenner and the rest of the police were cleaning up the mess the Tinkerbats made.

Brock- Sounds like the Z-Move contained too much energy for Risky's machine to handle all at once. Obviously, the Charge Stones could handle it, but not that machine.

Misty- But it's also typical of Ash to make such a boneheaded move like that. You and Shantae could've been hurt in that explosion!

Ash- Hey, I stopped Risky, didn't I?!

Misty- Yes, but now we have to find the Charge Stones again.

Brock- And Melemele Island is a big place. It will still take some time to search the whole island.

Shantae- If only we had at least an idea of the areas they landed in.

Suddenly, Pikachu's ears went up and one of them even twitched a bit.

Pikachu- Pika…?

Pikachu quickly turned around and saw a Pikachu with a combover standing behind him.

Pikachu- Pikachu!

Sparky- Pikachu!

Both Pikachu and Sparky rushed to each other and began rubbing their electric cheeks against the others'.

Shantae- Another Pikachu?

Ash- Hold on…I know that Pikachu! That's Sparky. That has to mean…

Suddenly, a Poke'mon Trainer walked up from behind Sparky, picked him up, and put Sparky on his shoulders.

Richie- Hey there, Ash. Long time no see.

Ash- Richie! Yeah, it has been too long since we last met.

Shantae- Friend of yours?

Ash- Yeah, Richie and I go way back. We first met at the Kanto League back when my journey first began. In fact, we battled at the Indigo Plateau stadium during the Poke'mon League.

Misty- And then you were disqualified because you failed to control Charizard!

Ash- Misty…please don't bring that up ever again…

Richie- Anyway, Ash and I have been best friends ever since and we've even crossed paths a few times during our adventures since the Indigo Plateau.

Ash- Actually, I haven't seen you since we rescued that Lugia from Team Rocket back in Joto. But how have you been, Richie?

Richie- Catching Poke'mon, battling gyms, competing in Poke'mon Leagues, same old same old. But I know it hasn't been the same old same old for you, Ash. I've been hearing you've been kicking bad guys' ass' and joined the Super Mario Brothers' Team since Tabuu almost destroyed our world.

Then Brock noticed something on both of Richie's wrists.

Brock- Hey Richie, is that a Keystone and Z-Ring you got there?

Richie- Yes, they are. Truth be told, it hadn't exactly been same old. I guess you can say…I've gotten myself a part-time job working for someone. And these were my payment for some of the jobs I did for him. In fact, I'm actually here on business.

Shantae raised one eyebrow in suspicion.

Shantae- Really…? And what type of business are you involved in.

Richie- Usually involving things like excavating and digging up the past to learn more about our history. I guess you can say archology in a manner of speaking.

Shantae- And who is this person you're working for?

Richie- Does it really matter? Besides, I figured you might be more interested as to where on Melemele Island I saw these glowing rocks landed.

Ash- You know where the Charge Stones are?!

Shantae- Wait a minute! How do you know where the Charge Stones are or even know about the Charge Stones?!

Richie points to this tall mountain in the distance before explaining.

Richie- I was doing some work over at the top of Ten Carat Hill, because like I said before, I was on business, when I saw this explosion coming from Hau'oli City. After the big boom, I saw these glowing rocks being flung to five different areas on Melemele. Afterwards, I decided to come down here and see what happened.

Shantae- And you happen to arrive so quickly all the way from that mountain?

Richie- I asked Zippo to fly me down from Ten Carat Hill.

Brock- Zippo? Your Charmeleon?

Richie- Actually, Zippo evolved into a Charizard some time ago.

Ash- That does make sense. So Richie, where did you see the Charge Stones land?

Shantae quickly wrapped her arm around Ash's neck, similar to a headlock, and gave a nervous smile.

Shantae- Please excuse us for one minute!

Then Shantae turned Ash and herself around like they were huddling like football players.

Shantae- Ash, don't you find this a little suspicious?!

Ash- Suspicious about what?

Shantae- Some ordinary Poke'mon Trainer happens to come by and claims to know where the Charge Stone landed on Melemele Island after you launched them with that explosion. That can't be a coincidence. Even if you do know him. I'm telling you, that is obviously something he's not telling us.

Ash- I think you're being a bit too paranoid, Shantae. I've known Richie for my entire journey to become a Poke'mon Master. He's my best friend after all and I know he's trustworthy. Richie is my friend and he's already earned my trust. And until I find reason that my best friend would try and betray me after all we've been through, I see no reason not to trust him. Besides, you got any other leads to the Charge Stones' whereabouts?

Shantae- Fine, but I know he's hiding something and I'm gonna find out what…

Shantae let go of Ash and they both turned around to look at Richie. But before they could say anything, Officer Jenny approached them.

Officer Jenny- I'm sorry, but we need this area cleared out. The city is going to need to need this repaired as soon as possible. Shame those pirates got away without answering for all this.

Brock- You can take me into custody! I'll be more than happy to talk to you about anything you as…AAAAAA!

Misty grabbed Brock's ear again and began pulling on it.

Misty- We have a situation on our hands and all you can think about it making out with Officer Jenny?!

Richie- Brock is still at it, I see. I guess some things never change.

Shantae- Wait? Brock has done this before?

Ash- I guess you can say as many times has Bonnie asking random girls to date Clemont. And believe it or not, Max used to pull Brock's ear during my travels in Hoenn. Not only that, but while I was in Sinnoh, Brock's Crogunk would let itself out of its' poke'ball and use poison jab on Brock. Alright Richie, where to?