The Electric Specialist, The Former Detective, and The Library

**Characters** | Samantha Starstorm
Forrest (Sam's Grovyle)
Xander Milana

**Description:** As Sam studies in the library to search for more clues on the time gears and space shards, she meets Xander as they get to know each other when he assists with her research.

**The Electric Specialist, The Former Detective, and The Library**
Sam is at the library with Forrest once again as they rereview some old texts from the Unown language before making down their findings in their notebooks.

"It seems like we have more possible locations than before when we were first searching for the time gears..." Forrest reports as he opens another scroll.

"Yeah... Last time, we didn't look at the ancient Unown writings... We had only looked at standard human texts..." Sam adds, moving onto the next item.

Xander is walking down one row of the shelves, looking over several reports on his datapad with an earpiece in his ear, his Mewostic silently following behind him.

"Are these all the reports?" He asks one of his spies that he's on the line with.

"Well. . .not all of them." They answer him. "Some of the others are still coming in by the hour."

He sighs, shaking his head. "Didn't I say not to call and send this to me until all of you have returned?"

"Specialist Milana, it's not easy to give a report from everyone given that we never know if someone goes missing or gets killed while doing this recon. You should know this better than-"

"Yes. I get it. I apologize. Thing is, the elites have been asking me to get this all together for them so that way we can give all of this to the guildmasters. Just send them as they come in so that way i can report it to either Michel, Haven, or Vanessa when it's complete."

"Understood sir. I'll keep you updated."

"Master Xander? Is everything okay?" Xander's Meowstic asks, swishing her tail slightly in worry.

Xander shakes his head, looking over to his partner. "Not really. Still have a few stragglers on the recon team. I'm sorry. . .I'm stressed between that and keeping track of my own work." He answers.

While Sam was reading one of the transcripts and writing down another location, she hears some talking near their location. She glances up from the writing as she quickly looks around to see if anyone was around.

“Is something the matter?” Forrest asks a minute later, grabbing her attention.

“I just thought I heard someone else in the library...” Sam answer before standing up, ”Who was that?”

"Xander, maybe you should take a break. I'm sure that your detective work isn't going anywhere. . ." Xander's Meowstic says, her eyes turning solemn.

"I know Celia, but some of the cases that I've been getting is current and relates to the recon as well. . .something. . .wrong, is happening." Xander sighs.

Sam heard the voice again as she decides to look around to see who else is around,”Forrest, keep looking for clues. I’ll be right back.”

“All right, please be careful.” Forrest nods before she heads into the book slender maze to find the person speaking.

"What do you mean by that Master Xander?" Celia says. "Did you discover something during one of your recon team's reports when they did one of their previous scoutings?"

Xander stops walking, turning to look at her and nodding in answer. His expression darkens, pinching the bridge of his nose after placing his glasses on top of his head.

"Something along those lines. . ." He answers her. "According to what one report stated, it said something along the lines of others that are helping the primals. . .but that's all I know for right now."

Sam continues to search before she hears the voices as she walks closer. She stops in her tracks for a moment as she hears Xander’s name.

‘Xander and Celia? What are they doing here?’ The young electric user thinks as she hears their conversation, ’Someone helping the primals? What does he mean?’

She then walks over and tries to look for the duo.

"What do you mean by that?" Celia asks, tilting her head. "As in other pokemon?"

Xander shakes his head, running a hand through his hair. "No. Much worse." He says, his expression grim. "Humans are helping the primals too. . .like some sort of weird mind control over them. But. . ."

Xander's expression changes to one of distress, shaking his head again.

"Some of them are willingly."

Sam’s eyes widen in shock as she continues to listen to Xander and Celia’s conversation.

‘Who would help the Primals voluntarily? If they are mind control, its understandable. But humans wanting to help them? What do they hope to gain?’ Sam thinks to herself as she walks down another aisle of bookshelves filled with assorted times in history.

Where could they be in this maze of a library?

"Willingly? You're saying that humans would help a cause. . .willingly?" Celia says, her tone sounding shocked.

Xander nods, his expression solemn. "Yes. . .could be for various reasons such as-"

He stops speaking when he hears soft footsteps, his expression turning serious. Someone else was in here too. . .

“Hello... Anyone there?” Sam calls, walking down the aisle and glancing around, ”I don’t think that I was imagining that voice...”

Xander looks at Celia, motioning for her to stay quiet as he casts a spell in order to phase through the bookcase when he hears the footsteps get closer. When he does phase through the bookcase and in front of Sam, he tilts his head curiously, his expression however remaining serious.

". . .So I'm not alone here in the library. I see." he says, before smiling slightly.

Sam jumps a foot in the air in shock and gasps as she sees Xander pop his face right in front of her from the bookshelf.

“Holy shit!”

Xander laughs, grinning a bit at Sam's sudden surprise, before shrugging apologetically.

"Sorry, didn't mean to spook you. It's just something that I'm able to do." he says. "Though Sam, what brings you here to the library today? Though. . .how much did you hear?"

Sam takes a couple breaths to calm herself before glancing at Xander with a scowl on her face before sighing.

“That’s all right and that’s good to know, Xander. I was studying ancient Unown transcripts to help find more locations when I heard you and Celia in the library...” Sam replies before sighing, ”I did hear some of your conversation when I was trying to find out who was at the library besides me and my partner, Forrest... I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but the openness of the library carried your conversation...”

Xander sighs, his expression turning solemn as he looks back down at his datapad when another report comes in, glancing back at Sam a moment after.

"So that means you heard everything then. Well shit." He says, putting the datapad away into his bag. "Guess that means you sort of know what I do around here, and there are already talks of bumping me up to the next rank because of how much groundwork I've been doing for the elites and the guildmasters. They knew of my work back in Unova. . ."

Sam heaves a small sigh as she frowns, recalling what Zephyr had said to her, “Back when you were a detective for them, right? Fortunately, it’s only me and Forrest here and my partner didn’t hear anything so I am the only one that heard. I promise that I won’t tell anyone, I don’t want to ruin your chances of a promotion...”

Xander nods, smiling sheepishly. "Yeah. I was a detective in Unova that a lot of people came to when they needed help with their lost Pokemon or when it came to other disputes." He explains, chuckling. "I do appreciate that you won't tell anyone, and trust me, I know you wouldn't ruin the work I've been doing to reach my next rank."

“It sounds like you enjoy being a detective. I find it a good job to have.” Sam nods with a smile, “Also I know I wouldn’t ruin it for you. You’ve worked so hard for that next rank...”

"I appreciate it Sam. I really do." Xander says, smiling a bit. "Michel has a tendency to get extremely invested in what I've been working on when it comes to researching all of this information on our enemy. Though it does come with its. . .downsides, when I lose a recon member or two. . ."

He sighs a bit, his expression turning solemn.

Sam’s face frowns as she places a hand on Xander’s shoulder in comfort.

“I’m so sorry, Xander... I had no idea...” Sam responds, “Though, they knew they had to get that information at any cost...”

"Yes. They did. That's the thing with this line of work." Xander says, rubbing his temples. "It has a tendency to get stressful, but i manage."

“Yeah, I can sympathize.” Sam nods withdrawing her hand, ”Speaking of work, I should get back to mine with finding time gears and space shards...”

"Ah yes. I remember that was your assignment. How is that going by the way?" Xander asks, tilting his head curiously, smiling a bit. "It's actually been awhile since we last talked."

Sam heaves a sigh as she recalls her last outing with Carrie.

“I wish I had better news. Carrie and I were ambushed at the last area we were sent to and because of that, Carrie is in the infirmary...” She sighs in dismay before smiling again, “I think I may be close to finding another soon given the locations we found to be possible places...”

When Xander hears this, his expression turns concerned. "She's okay though, right? Then again, Azrael is good at what he does. . ." he says, before he looks at her with interest at the news Sam shares about knowing more locations. "Really? You may be close to finding more? That's welcoming news. That's also why you came here too so that way you can research more as Carrie recovers?"

“Yeah, she’ll be all right. Dr. Harper knows his work well...” Sam nods before smiling a bit,”And that’s right. Forrest and I have a list so far but narrowing it down is usually the taxing part... Do you and Celia want to help out for a bit? I feel like we may have another location from our list so far...”

Xander smiles, giving a nod in answer. "Sure. I got a bit of time on my hands at the moment. Just waiting for the rest of the recon to pour their reports in so that way i can move on to the next part of the process." He answers. "Celia? Are you coming?"

"Yes Master Xander. I'll be right over!" Celia chimes in.

“Awesome, I’m glad to have help from you guys as well!” Sam smiles happily as she starts to walk back to the area where she left Forrest, “It’s right this way.”

Once they arrive back to her work area with Forrest, he glances over and waves his claw in hello before glancing at me.

“So it was Xander and Celia you were hearing...Are they going to give a hand as well?” Forrest asks, crossing his arms.

“Yeah! I figured that with their help, we can circle all the possible spots on the map that we recorded so far.” Sam replies, nodding before she gives a sheepish smile, “Sorry for the mess...”

Forrest smiles as he gives a nod before grabbing the books they’ve already read through.

“Good, I’ll grab the next set of transcripts and place these back.” He answers as he lumps off the chair and grabs the transcripts and a couple books.

"Kind of reminds me of my own desk." Xander chuckles, walking around the table and taking a look at their work as Celia takes a seat and grabs the nearest book. "When I would do my detective work back in Unova, my boss would just shake her head. But she knew exactly I always had a method to my own madness."

He grins at the memory, glancing up at Sam.

"So. . .which places did you already have so far in mind?"

“Very true and the notes are...” Sam trails off as she quickly searches the desk for her notebook, “Here! This is the list that we’ve compiled so far. We just need to mark them now on the map. Could you do this for me while I keep looking?”

She then hands over her notebook before she grabs the nearest scroll.

Xander nods, looking at the notes in Sam's notebook and walking over to the map, a pencil in hand as he goes to mark the spots of the areas that she wrote down, his expression serious and concentrated as he does so.

"You must have been in here for hours huh. . .?" he says.

Holding her place in the book she was reading, she glances over to Xander and gives a smile and shakes her head.

"I don't think that I was here /that/ long. I think I've been in her for a hour, two hours tops." Sam replies before her stomach growls in disagreement and her face slightly blushes from embarrassment,"...What time is it?"

Xander looks at the watch on his wrist, giving a bit of a chuckle before he smiles. "Well I hate to say, but it's nearly six o'clock. It's currently 5:45." he answers. "Sounds like someone hasn't had dinner just yet, though dinner should be ready soon enough."

Xander reaches for something in his messenger bag, before he pulls out a bag of chocolate in the shape of chips, holding out the bag in offer.

"Though if you need something to snack on, I usually keep something with me in case I get hungry. I don't mind sharing."

Sam glances at Xander in surprise as she realizes that’s she’s been in the library for five hours and she had skipped lunch because of the debriefing with the guildmasters. She glances at him in curiosity before he fishes out a bag of chocolate in the shape of chips as he holds it out to her. Her face blushes slightly in shame as she starts to reach out for them before the electric user stops herself.

“Are you sure it’s all right?” Sam questions, looking at Xander,”These are rare... I’ve only had these once in Kalos.”

Xander nods, still holding the bag out and giving a warm smile.

"I'm positive. I wouldn't offer if I couldn't get them anywhere. I have a few connections that were able to find where these originated." he answers. "Plus I don't mind sharing. Please, take as many as you would like."

Sam gives a warm smile back once she is convinced as she takes the bag and opens them for the duo before taking one out of the bag.

“Thanks, Xander. That’s very kind of you.” Sam says gratefully before taking a bit out of the chocolate chip in her hand and a delighted expression shows on her face, “This is delicious. So creamy and just the perfect level of chocolate.~”

Xander gives a slight chuckle, grinning in delight at Sam's reaction when she eats one of the chocolates out of the bag.

"According to my connections, it came from a candy shop in the Hoenn region. It's where these particular snacks first started to be imported from." he explains. "The things I get to learn while doing such work. It's rather nice. But I'm glad you're enjoying it."

“Thanks Xander and that’s amazing. The Hoenn region huh? That’s where I met my partner, Forrest...” Sam comments before thinking back to the fond memory for a moment, “Your job certainly has its benefits, especially with how much you learn.”

Xander nods, the slight smile still on his face. "Yes it certainly does. When it also came to some of the other work that I had to do for the firm that I worked with, it required me to travel to where I could meet all sorts of people that would give me a wide range of information, as well as fun secrets and places for me to see and go to." he explains. "Being able to work as a detective certainly did have its benefits, especially since it is also how I assembled my own team that would be equipped with the job too."

Sam listens intently as he explains how his work was as a detective for Unova which had allowed him to travel different regions.

“Wow...” Sam responds in awe as she nods, “Even though I wasn’t a detective, I traveled to many regions to become a great Pokémon trainer and meet new people and have new experiences. To think that I’ve come so far with all my Pokémon and done so much the last few years...”

Xander listens intently himself, taking a seat at the table and leaving the bag of chocolate on the table. "It must have been interesting to journey around in order to sharpen your skills as a trainer though. You must have met a lot of people and Pokemon along the way too." he says, looking back at the map and finishing his marks. "But the journey is always worth it in the end."

“It definitely was and each one was memorable in its own way. I met a lot of people and Pokémon, but I also created long lasting bonds with friends and the Pokémon that joined me. It did also sharpen my skills quite a bit when it came to creating unique strategies.” Sam explains after she takes a seat and picks up another chocolate chip to munch on before picking up the nearby book she had earlier, “I still can’t believe that I won the Pokémon in Kalos and Alola...”

"So you became champion in both regions huh? Though wait. . ." Xander says, looking up from his work. "If you just recently were the champion in Alola. . .doesn't that mean you faced Carrie, who is the very first champion that they had?!"

Sam nods her head after she eats another chocolate chip.

“Yes, that’s right.” She responds, glancing up from the book, “Right before the planet’s paralysis and reconfigurement, I became the next champion in Alola and it happened right after I was entered into the Hall of Fame.”

"Damn. . .that must have been an intense battle though. I heard that Carrie's team was pretty damn tough from others that I heard faced her and never made it into the hall of fame. You must have been just as strong as her if you managed to defeat her." Xander says, looking at her in awe. "That's really impressive."

“It certainly was a very intense battle. I still have the recording of it somewhere... Anyway, it was very close and we were both at our last couple Pokémon... I honestly have my Pokémon to thank...” Sam comments, blushing and sheepishly smiling back at Xander,”They worked very hard and never gave up... I am so proud of them.”

"As you should be. When it comes to tough opponents, even ones that you're close friends with when it comes to competitions and championships such as that, it goes to show how strong the bonds of one's Pokemon are." Xander chuckles seeing her blush. "I'm sorry, am I flattering you too much?"

Sam’s face reddens brighter more as she shakes her head.

“No-No! Not at all!” Sam flusters, waving her hands before taking a breath, a smile remaining on her face, ”Though you are right. They probably wouldn’t have fought so hard if I didn’t create such a strong and powerful bond with each of them. I guess I’m also a great trainer who became Champion.”

“I was about to say that you shouldn’t sell yourself short.” Forrest chimes in as he returns with another textbook, ”You are a very determined and kind trainer. Because of your training and caring nature, not only did you get 3rd place in the Hoenn League, but you also managed to defeat the Battle Frontier.”

"I remember when Master Xander competed in a couple of Pokemon contests in the Hoenn region!" Celia chirps in, her eyes glowing. "It was so much fun to be apart of those!"

Xander's face turns red with shock from his Meowstic's comment, running a hand through his hair. "Celia. . .did you have to bring that up?" he says, smiling sheepishly.

"Don't tell me you didn't have fun, because I know you did!" Celia giggles. "That's also how you became friends with Salem too if I'm not mistaken."

"Ah yes. The Pokemon contest celebrity himself. . .he wanted me to try out Sinnoh's contests at one point." He says, glancing back over to Sam. "But yes, never sell yourself short at all. Everyone is strong in their own way as a trainer."

Sam smiles wider upon hearing Xander talk about Pokémon contests.

“I took part in a couple when I had the time for fun in Hoenn as well. Though the Pokémon League took precedence.” Sam replies, chuckling at Celia’s comment, ”And you’re right, everyone is strong in their own way.”

“Yes.” Forrest nods before bringing the book to Sam, ”This is the last one for now. We should have plenty of locations for the time being.”

“All right.” Sam nods before diving into the book, ”I wonder how many places we thought of this time... 10? 20?”

"Then you must have run into Salem at one point too." Xander chuckles. "He really is something else when he's participating in his contests. But enough idle chit chat for now, since we will have plenty of time to talk more later about these things. Let's have a look at the map and what we marked down shall we?"

“I probably have which was why he looked familiar... And I’m certain that he is.” Sam smiles before nodding, “Yeah, you’re right. We’ll have more time later, though for now let’s take a look at the map.”

She rises to her feet, placing the book down before taking another chocolate chip and walking over next to Xander with Forrest following.

“That’s quite a few possibilities...” Forrest comments, glancing at the marked map.

"Yeah. . .and some of these locations are scattered on each continent too. . ." Xander says, glancing over at the Air Continent. He traces a finger over several of the locations, his expression turning serious. "Nobody has really been on the Air Continent yet. . .except for the two people I sent for recon over there that I haven't heard from at all. But that was three missions ago which has me worried that they were captured. . .usually Azrael reports when a death has occurred since he keeps an eye on all of the active chips. You know. . .the one that they put in our right hip when we first became apart of the society?"

“Oh yeah... I remember. At least they’re unnoticeable....” Sam answers, instinctively placing a hand on her right hip, “Carrie /really/ hated that part...”

The electric user then glances over the Air Continent area after hearing about Xander’s lost recon members.

“...Maybe I should check those areas first and if one is in that area, we can see if we can find out what happened to your teammates.” Sam suggests, glancing at the areas of the map, “Looks like there are 5 spots to check...”

Xander nods, remembering being there when both Sam and Carrie had to get their chips implanted after Dusk and Xanthus, Carrie having to be restrained from the pain the implant caused.

Psychic users never really tolerated things like that. That was one thing he noted for sure since her brothers were the same.

"So let's see. . .Ghost Island, Mystical Forest, Prehistoric Ruins, Moonlit Cave, and Elegant Gorge. . ." Xander reads out as he traces his finger over each. "Not bad possibilities. . ."

“Hm...” Sam hums to herself, glancing at all the options before placing her finger on the point marking Ghost Island,”Well it seems like this one would be reasonable since the area is filled with several ghost Pokémon and nobody has dared to venture there.”

After touching that spot and having some of her water bottle, she immediately sits down on the seat as she begins to feel a wave of dizziness wash over her.

‘Oh shit... This feeling again...’ Sam thinks as she places a hand on her forehead.

Xander's expression turns concerned when he sees Sam hold her head, standing up from his seat.

"Sam. . .? Is everything alright?" He asks. "You don't look so good. . ."

Forrest glances over as he sees Sam holding her head and growing pale.

“Sam? What is it?” Forrest questions in concern,”...Is it happening?”

“I-“ Sam stutters before she gets cut off by the coming vision.

* +

Dimensional Scream

Similar to the last couple times, a flash of light appears before she sees herself at the bottom most part of a cave with Xander and Zephyr along with their Pokemon as Zephyr and Xander being ambushed by a couple of Shadow Ball attacks before hearing laughter from the other side of the cavern. The blackened figure was holding a space shard in their possession as it radiates a light pink light before the vision abruptly stops.

* + -

After the vision finishes, she suddenly opens her eyes as she reflects on what she just saw.

Xander looks at Sam worriedly, going over to her and placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Sam? Are you alright?" He asks her. "Did you need fresh air? What was that all about?"

Sam's body slightly jumps when Xander places his hand on her shoulder before she blinks and turns her head to glance back at him.

"Yeah, I'm all right. I know where the next space shard is." Sam answers before exhaling a sigh of relief, "At least I didn't faint this time around..."

Forrest comes over before he gives a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness you're all right this time..." He adds before crossing his arms.

Xander looks at her in confusion, tilting his head slightly at her response.

"You. . .know where the next one is?" He says. "I don't think I follow. . ."

"I do." Sam simply answers before stands up and walks to the map, "The next location of a space shard is on Ghost Island in the Air Continent."

Forrest glances over to Xander as he gives a smile at his trainer.

"She must have had another vision. "Forrest concludes before Sam gives a nod, confirming his assumption.

"A vision. . .? Wait. . ." Xander trails off, suddenly remembering something he heard the guildmasters talking about. "You're the one with the Dimensional Scream. . .aren't you?"

Sam’s eyes widen in surprise for a moment before she gives a smile and nods.

“Yes, I’m the one who has the Dimensional Scream ability. You were with me and Carrie when we brought the first time gear to the guildmasters and Guildmaster Ruvelle informed us about the ability I had.” She reminds him, crossing her arms, “Did you forget?”

"With all the paperwork and lack of sleep the last couple of days my head hasn't been screwed on entirely." Xander says, smiling sheepishly and running a hand through his hair. "Though Ghost Island huh? If that's the case, no way would we be able to bring any psychic users. . ."

“It’s all right. We’ve all had those kind of days...” Sam assures as she remembers typing for ghost Pokémon, “Fighting and normal types wouldn’t really be able to help either and nether would bug and poison. And other ghost users have to be careful...”

“And other typings would be all right?” Forrest questions.

"I know if I were to go I would have to be careful. . ." Xander sighs. "But that's up to the guildmasters on who goes. Even if it is a risk, I would like to help."

"But Master Xander. . .you're a ghost type yourself. . ." Celia says worriedly.

"I know i am. But I'm also an ice type so I'll be fine."

“Since I’m an electric type and Forrest is a grass type, we would both be all right.” Sam states before giving a worrying glance to Xander, recalling a piece of her vision, “You may also be an ice type, but you still need to be careful of ghost type moves... they are still super effective on you. Though, I would still want your help, Xander...”

She rubs her arm as she glances at him with a smile.

"I know I'll have to be careful, but they also have to be careful of me because I'm just as effective against them." Xander says with a sly smile. "Of course I still want to help, even if I have to convince the guildmasters to let me. Though for now, we should report this next find so that way they can make their next move." “True, and we should make our way there to let them know as soon as possible.” Sam nods as she looks at Forrest and then back to Xander and Celia, “So that way we can retrieve the space shard. Though something bothers me with that vision...”

Forrest glances over in slight worry.

“What is it?” He questions with concern.

“...I heard someone cackling with laugher while holding the space shard.” She responds, her face marred with worry, “I think there’s someone waiting there...”

"Well that's just great. Guess we'll definitely have to be ready for anything in that case." Xander sighs. "Since the opposing side must know that we're after the space shards and time gears, they'll make it ten times more challenging for us to get them."

“Yeah, it was similar to when we had to face Frosslass before retrieving the first time gear...” Sam nods heading to the door, “But, I’m sure that we’ll be all right as long as we are careful and because of what I saw, it won’t be much of a surprise to us. Now, let’s head to the guildmaster’s chambers to tell them the next location. We should keep the map we marked earlier until I look through those locations we marked.”

As she reached to open the library door to the hall with Forrest following, she turns back to Xander.

“And Xander? Thanks for letting me have some of your chocolate chips.” Sam thanks with a smile, “That was very kind of you.”

Xander nods, smiling when Sam thanks him for the snack as he walks over to join her. "It's no problem. Glad you enjoyed them." He says, crossing his arms. "But yes. Let's get going, and you're right. At least we'll be ready when we go."

(To Be Continued...In the Story)