Something was definitely not right about this. Unless things had drastically changed within the last five years, the islands that composed the region of Alola were not supposed to be barren. Maybe we're on another undiscovered island nearby? Ash pondered. But no, he could see a single building just over a rocky, barren hill. It was a box-like structure with a red roof and a pokeball motif on the front. A pokemon center; just what Ash needed right now. If there was anything that he had learned through his many years of traveling, it was that a trainer could find anything and everything they needed at a pokemon center. Food, healing for his pokemon, sometimes a place to sleep and maybe even grab a quick shower. But most importantly, a pokemon center was always a great place to pick up local gossip and relative information.

Ash walked in, sighing pleasantly as the cool AC flowed over his skin. A chime sounded as he walked up to the front counter. "Good evening and welcome to our pokemon center! How may I help you today?" Nurse Joy practically sang. It must have been rather lonely on the baren island. Ash vaguely wondered if she saw many people throughout the day. "Hi. Could you take a look at my Charizard, please? We've been flying all day." Ash replied. Nurse Joy lit up, practically beaming. "Sure! I'll just take it's pokeball for a few moments!" she stated, taking the ball as he handed it to her and walking into a back room.

Ash took the moment to survey the room, turning to check the pamphlet stands by the door. Odd. Usually they would have at least a few pamphlets or other info on tourist destinations. He thought to himself, slightly frowning. Instead, the center appeared kind of… well, empty. There were a few isles for pokemon food and potions and such, but they weren't as well stocked as most. As a matter of fact, Ash couldn't recall the last time he had seen a pokecenter so understocked, much less empty. Something ain't right.

Ding! The sound of the welcome chime drew Ash's attention to the door, and when he saw who had come in, his heart nearly stopped. Standing taller than Ash by at least six inches (much to his chagrin) with tan skin and spiky brown hair and squinting eyes, wearing the same old orange shirt, green vest, and jeans, was Brock. "Good evening and welcome to our pokemon center! How may I help you today?" chimed Nurse Joy. As predictable as ever, Brock immediately launched into simp mode, declaring Joy's beauty for all the assorted potions to hear. Ash took advantage of this, turning to hide his face and pretending to browse for pokemon food. What is Brock of all people doing in Alola? He thought, practically screaming to himself. Of course he was happy to see his old friend and travel partner, but this was neither the time nor the place for a reunion. But what to do now? Should he say something? No, not yet, it was too soon. If Brock knew that Ash was out and about it would only be a matter of time before Misty and his other friends knew as well, and Ash was not ready for that. Sneak out? How? If he left now, he'd be leaving Charizard, and Nurse Joy would definitely call attention to that, which would call attention to him.

"Excuse me?" a voice interrupted his thoughts. Ash jumped, banging his head on the ceiling. He turned, rubbing the budding knot on his head, and saw that Brock was looking to talk to him. "Sorry about that. I wasn't trying to scare you." Brock amended. "You seem familiar. Have we met before?" he asked, eyebrow arched. Ash considered his choices. Clearly Brock hadn't completely recognised him, but he was walking on thin ice. " We may have. You're Brock, the Pewter City gym leader, right?" Ash asked in response. "Yeah that's me. Ya know I think I've figured it out. You remind me of an old friend." Ash raised an eyebrow. "Really? Must be some friend." he replied. "Yeah, he was an amazing friend, and an even greater trainer. He disappeared a few years ago" Brock replied despondently. "Haven't heard from him since." Ash winced at the pain in his friend's voice. "What happened?" he asked. "He lost someone, and we, myself and his other friends, thought he needed some space. I was an idiot. If there was anything Ash needed it was support, not space. Once day he just vanished with all his pokemon. That was five years ago." Brock answered. "Wait, Ash? As in Ash Ketchum, the wayward champion of Alola?" Nurse Joy interjected. "Yeah, he was one hell of a trainer. I remember when I learned that he had become champion at long last. He had been traveling and entering one league after another for nearly ten years when he finally won. It had been one of his biggest dreams. We were all so proud of him, but then he entered the World Series." Brock trailed off, staring into the distance. "Ash made it all the way to the final match, up against Leon, who was, at the time, still champion of the Galar region. It was a close battle and it came down to one pokemon on each side, but in the end Ash lost." Brock said, his voice wavering ever so slightly. "Ash took the loss hard. He felt that he had failed not just himself but the Alola region as a whole, and that's not even mentioning his pokemon. And then… then someone very close and important to Ash was killed. The police never found out why or even who did it. For a week, no one could get through to him. He was almost hysterical, screaming and weeping. There was nothing we could do for him, so we all agreed to give him some space. One day he just stopped. Completely. I was so relieved that I didn't stop to question it. The next day he was gone." Brock finished, tears welling up in his ever squinting eyes.

"Sorry about that!" Brock suddenly exclaimed, wiping the moisture from his eyes. "I didn't mean to burden you like that." he said, focusing once more on Ash. "So what are you doing here?" he asked. "Here? What do you mean?" Ash replied, confused. "Not many people visit here anymore" Nurse Joy said, "Not since the eruption."

Now Ash was very confused. "Eruption? What eruption?" he asked. As far as he knew any volcanoes that could be found in the Alola region were dormant if not dead. An eruption would have affected the island that he had been living on. Brock frowned. "You haven't heard? Maybe a decade ago the volcano here on this island practically exploded. It was very lucky that all the residents and their pokemon were able to evacuate safely. If I recall correctly, even the pokemon center was originally destroyed." Brock said, looking to Nurse Joy for confirmation. The pink haired woman nodded, saying "Yup! This pokemon center is relatively new in comparison to most. It was rebuilt to be used mainly by challengers." Ash frowned. "Challengers?" he ashed. "Yes", she replied. "Those who wish to challenge the Cinnabar Gym may rent a room here."

"Your Charizard is back to full health, sir" Nurse Joy exclaimed, bringing Ash a pokeball on a tray. It had been three hours since Ash discovered that he was on the wrong continent entirely, and he was a little mad. Just a little. A little. How had he gotten so distracted? Ok, he knew how, but that didn't make it exactly acceptable. I can't be doing this If I'm going to do what Arceus asked of me. I need to stay focused.

He had been setting up a modest camp outside when she brought Charizard's pokeball to him. She had offered to let him use the guest room inside, but by now Ash was rather fond of camping out. He smiled in thanks before taking it. After talking a little longer, Brock had gone off to talk to Blaine; Gym Leader business apparently. "So will you be challenging the gym here?" the nurse asked. Ash sighed, thinking about it. It would make sense, but something about the challenging Blaine first just feels wrong.

As Ash pondered his next move, Brock returned. "Hey, you're still here! Will you challenge the gym?" he inquired similarly to Nurse Joy. "Actually", Ash replied, "I was hoping to Challenge the Pewter City gym first. Are you heading that way?" "Yeah, I'll be heading home tonight. Usually I'd rent a boat but I think I'll have my Ludicolo bring me over to Pallet town." Brock paused, noticing that the other trainer turned pale upon his use of the town's name. "Is there something wrong?" he asked. "Oh no, it' nothing. I was just thinking that perhaps my Dragonite could fly us there? It would only take maybe an hour or two, and the sooner I get the badge the better." Ash recovered. Brock broke into a grin. "You mean the sooner you try! Alright, I'll take you up on your offer." Brock exclaimed. He probably would have continued, but both Ash's and Brocks stomachs growled in tandem. "But first, lemme cook up something to eat. I'm starving!"