Later

"Thank you, Nurse Joy." Ash said.

"Your Pokemon are all back to normal. Here's your Pikachu."

"Oh, he is all perked up."

Ash took Pikachu onto his shoulder and headed towards Jira's home when he saw a familiar face.

"Ah, Paul. You're soon in line, eh?"

"Good luck out there." Paul smiled.

"You too. Let's battle again some day."

But what he did not know was that there was another familiar face… behind him.

"Ash!"

He turned around and… there he was. His best friend for a long time before he disappeared. Brock of Pewter City.

"...here we go." Ash thought as he smiled.

"Brock! Brother!" The two young men ran up to each other and gave each other a strong handshake and a massive hug. Of course they had to have this reaction, as they didn't know what was going on with the other for two years now. Alongside them, Jira, Goh and Hop were smiling brightly.

"How are you, Ash? I've missed you." Brock said, with a tear in his eye.

"Ah, Brock… I'm doing fine. I beat my rival."

"You have to tell me more. It's been so long."

As the group went outside, Ash and Paul winked at each other for one last time.

Later (5:00 PM)

"So they are on the plane." Goh smiled.

"And that's how you joined the tournament?" Brock said.

"Yeah, I was very unsure of myself. I wasn't sure at all that I wanted to return to my previous self. But truth be told, you know what they say… be yourself, because everyone else is taken."

"That was my phrase, jerk." Jira spoke.

"No it wasn't, you academy teacher." Hop said.

"Brock, bro..." Ash spoke, "you've really honed your Pokemon Doctor skills. It must be a real honor for you and Leon to work together."

"Yes Ash, Leon called me two weeks before the tournament. He asked for my services, but said nothing else, that jerk..."

"Hm. So Leon knew? Did he invite Brock just after I lost that battle against Jira...?"

Later (6:30 PM)

"Well Ash, brother, I felt like I wasn't making enough money at that point." Brock said. "So that's why I gave up searching for you. Blissey and Croagunk themselves were getting tired. I battled a lot of trainers but it felt like I just couldn't keep up with the new phenomenons discovered. I want to have a friendly talk with the guy who invented Dynamax", he said as they all laughed.

"You know that I kind of prefer barebones battling, Brock", Ash responded. "But if these things are overpowered, why not use them if it's legal?" he laughed.

"Now Ash," Goh said, "you kind of do use banned strategies, so to speak. Mega Lucario is too strong."

"Says the guy who caught a freaking Eternatus." Ash smirked.

"Yeah, but at least I gave it away. And besides, don't you have a Melmetal somewhere?"

"So what? At least I haven't caught legendary Pokemon after three weeks or so, Gary Stu," Ash said as he laughed. Goh's face was saying a thousand words, before he suddenly got a notification on his phone.

"Sorry guys, I gotta go to the toilet." Goh spoke.

"Hehe! See? I just destroyed him!" Ash and the others laughed.

Later (8:30 PM)

"Well Ash, you must be really tired." Brock said. "I'll be there to talk more with you tomorrow. Or any day after I finish my shift afterwards." he smiled.

"Yeah Brock, that was a really nice reunion!" Ash smiled. "You're clearly my friend. You came immediately after I revealed myself."

"And to be fair," he added, "I have to send my regards to Leon. He looks like he might have set this up."

"What do you mean, Ash?"

"I lost a battle. And that's why I... had to come out."

"Ash...? Did you like... wager?"

"Yeah, I battled Jira and that damn Latios of his."

"Latios?! Wait, what?" Brock smiled before a Pokeball suddenly popped. Yes, it was the Eon Pokemon in its splendor. The Pokemon Doctor froze when he saw it this close, as Latios politely extended its left wing to shake hands.

"So you know its power." Brock smiled. "Latios, you must be damn strong to defeat someone like Ash Ketchum. It's a pleasure."

"At least", he continued, "you lost to a powerful legendary Pokemon. This guy reminds me of Tobias. Had you lost to a regular Chikorita, Ash... I don't know what I would have done to you."

"Hey hey," Ash spoke, "don't be like Misty!"

"Just kidding!" Brock said as he was getting ready to go. "Anyway, see you tomorrow, Ash! I can't wait to talk more!"

"See ya!"

Brock was going to a local two-star hotel he booked in Galar, on a 10-day stay. He wasn't very pretentious, after all.

"..."

"Looks like Brock and Paul have been your only faces from the past you had to see today." Jira naively said. "See? It wasn't so bad after all."

Goh smirked. He knew that wasn't true, and he knew what was about to happen. That reunion with Brock was a little dramatic, to be fair, but...

"Hehe. They have arrived." he thought, as he received a notification on his phone.

"Guys, I think I'll have a short walk. I need to spend some time with Cinderace and Mew", he excused himself.

Ash parted ways with his friends before he and Jira headed towards Jira's place. Goh immediately turned his phone to silent. He gave the girls all the coordinates they needed.

Later (9:30 PM)

"Pikachu… what an eventful day it was." Ash thought.

"Pika pi…"

He heard footsteps. It was Goh, who entered the house.

"Hey Goh, what's up?"

"Eh, nothing much. I've just had a short walk… my bones feel refreshed now." he spoke.

"Heh. Can't wait to see his face when..."

"Shall we go to sleep? I'm so tired…" Ash spoke, as he was about to go upstairs, but quickly remembered something.

"Hey, where is Jira?"

"I guess… he's outside…" he stumbled.

A knock was heard at the door.

"It's time." Goh smirked.

"Ah, there he is." Ash said. "But why does he knock? He doesn't usually do that. Eh, whatever. I'll go open it."

He opened the door, and...

"Ash!!"