Everyone expecting Ash to revisit old mons in the final special. I get that.

But I also really want those very early characters of the day to be shown, mentioned or at least hinted at.

Ash and the samurai kid literally promised to meet in the future. He was the first route trainer he battled. Both agreed at the end of the episode to train and have a rematch some day.

I need that rematch bros. They can't leave me without it ;_;