Gold's POV

"Sorry I had to get them out of here," Professor Cedar turns back to his map of Sinnoh. "Their Dad wouldn't throw you in jail by the way."

"That's a relief," I can feel the sweat on my forehead.

"He is a reasonable man, but I don't want to put him or his girls in a position where they may have to do something."

I nod, studying the map. "I think I was researching Mount Coronet specifically."

"That would mean we were studying in the same field," The Professor chuckles. "And now we're brought together. See my guess is that big burst of energy was Arceus teleporting you here."

"But why me? Why here?"

I wait as he closes the curtains.

"I don't think this is a chosen one situation," He states. "No offence."

"None taken."

"Arceus probably had limited energy and you just happened to be the closest to his spirit which is said to rest above Mount Coronet."

"I guess that makes sense."

"You see Gold," He looks me dead in the eyes. "My research was finding Arceus' physical form. I succeeded and Triton has had Arceus captured since."

My eyes widen. "You captured Arceus!?"

"Not exactly," He shakes his head. "I found it, President Triton Sr. then captured it and used it to stop the Great Division."

"But didn't they get what they want?" I question. "Couldn't they let Arceus go?"

"That was the plan," Cedar sighs. "But the President couldn't give up the power, and I believe his son is trying to take it a step further by capturing Arceus' spirit too."

"There's two Arceuseses," My words mangle. "I don't remember that."

"Looks like you still have some work to do as a Pokemon researcher," He chuckles but quickly goes back to serious mode again. "Arceus' spirit is not simply obtained. It is made of 18 objects."

"The plates," I guess hopefully correctly. "I do know about those."

"Yes," He brings up a picture of one. "When searching for Arceus in Sinnoh, I found all the plates and brought them to Elemente."

"Well that's not good."

"No," I can see the regret in his face. "Thankfully I had the idea to spread them across the districts after the Great Division. President Triton didn't think they were important so he never asked for them."

"But aren't the plates a source of power?"

"Right again. The plates unlock Arceus' full spiritual power. The ability to move mountains and such."

"And the new President Triton knows this?"

"Yes when he first took over the reins of the region he paid me a visit. He's a diligent person and caught on to the power of the plates. I don't think he knows I had them though."

"So he's been searching for them for 10 years and I'm assuming he's found some of them by now."

"Most likely. Gold I fear Arceus knows that its spirit is close to being taken over."

His brown eyes stare at me. "You may be its last hope."

"Great," I sigh. "It could have at least let me keep my memories if I was going to be doing this huge favour."

The Professor doesn't laugh at my joke. Instead he disappears deeper into the lab.

Am I really Arceus' only hope?

Can't this be a team effort?

I think this is where I wake up from my nightmare.

"Look at this," He hands me a gold object, shaped like the rings of the God Pokemon. "Since I've been confined to studying Elemente's history, I've noticed that there's evidence of many legendary Pokemon having homes here. Legendary Pokemon are direct descendants of Arceus' power and therefore follow where it goes. They all have a part of Arceus's spirit, just like the plates."

I admire the object in my hand. I can feel my researcher brain geeking out.

"I believe that ring can harness their power."

"It's just a gold ring," I flip it in my hand.

"I honestly don't know how it works," The Professor states. "But we're going to have to trust the myths on this one."

"I had to sneak through this town," I point out. "How am I going to get around collecting Legendary pokemon."

"That's a tomorrow problem," The Professor sighs. "I think that's enough information for one day. Let's get you a bed setup."

Sleep doesn't sound too bad right now.

Sleep means I can't be delivered anymore bad news.

Ash's POV

"Come on Pikachu!" I run through the streets of Slateport City with my electric mouse Pokemon.

I haven't been to the coastal port town in a long time. I wish it was a bit closer to Galar though, I think we're missing the start of Serena's semifinal.

The sun shines brightly in the blue sky as we run along the grey brick streets. Eventually the large contest stadium comes into view. It has large luxurious blue ribbon decorating the building. They definitely go all out here for the Grand Festival.

I barge through the front doors, "I need a ticket please!"

The receptionist gives me a disapproving look. "Sorry it's already started, we can't let you in."

"Come on there's gotta be a way," I plead.

"Ash?" I turn to see a familiar face.

"Wallace!" I exclaim. He's wearing his usual extravagant white outfit, long pants, jacket, and beret. His turquoise hair zigzags to his waist.

"I believe you are owed a congratulations" He shakes my hand. "Monarch Ash."

"Still Ash," I scratch the back of my neck.

"I see you're more humble now," Wallace jokes and scratches Pikachu's ear. "I must ask, you've made quite the hasty trip all the way to Hoenn overnight just to show up late?"

"Yea I tried my best," I turn embarrassed.

"I'm just joking with you," The man winks. "Follow me."

We navigate the maze of hallways and end up in a suite overlooking the contest stage.

"It's Serena!" I exclaim and run up to the balcony. "Woah Pikachu her Milotic looks so strong in person."

"A friend of yours?" Wallace asks.

"Yea," I smile. "We travelled through Kalos together.

"I see," The contest and battler pro studies the battle. "Her Milotic is quite impressive, however I am a bit biased."

I remember battling Wallace's Milotic. Talk about strong.

I do recognize her opponent, Drew. The cocky green haired coordinator and I didn't get along very much. Not too often does he look to be on his toes. "It's a nice change seeing Drew uncomfortable," I joke to Pikachu.

"Serena is outmaneuvering his Absol expertly," Wallace notes as Milotic uses aqua jet to dodge a dark pulse.

Milotic, encased in water, spirals across the stage before nailing the white dog Pokemon Absol.

"Time!"

I look at the scoreboard and smile. "Not even close."

"Serena is moving on to the finals!" The announcer cheers.

"Yes!" I pump my fist over the balcony.

I can see Serena smiling from up here. She's wearing her pink performance dress from Kalos and has her hair tied up in a ponytail. It's kind of far but I think she's using the blue ribbon I gave her to tie her hair. It's nice she gets so much use out of it.

I can't wait to surprise her.

"How do I get down there?" I ask.

"Follow me," Wallace smirks and leads Pikachu and I through another maze of hallways.

Serena's POV

"Nothing I love more than watching Drew lose," May bursts into my changing room. She's back into her normal green bandana outfit after steamrolling her semifinal opponent. "He wouldn't even shake your hand."

"Milotic was very good," I chuckle. "She really had him on his toes."

"Maybe he'll consider retirement," The brunette jokes. "After me defeating him in the Johto Grand Festival last year, and now this, I'm sure he's weeping."

"Harsh," I shake my head while starting to take off my jewellery. I leave the blue ribbon keeping my hair up for now.

"He deserves it," She huffs.

A knock interrupts our anti-Drew conversation.

May walks over and opens it.

"Ash!?" I wasn't prepared for this.

"You made it to the final!" He exclaims and runs over. Time slows as he hugs me, picking me up off the ground.

I can only imagine the shade of red on my face.

"Where's my congratulations?" May puts her hands on her hips.

Ash smiles. "I guess good job to you to," And gives her a high-five.

May rolls her eyes but returns the gesture. "You can take us out to dinner," She declares. "You said you would after I won the Johto Grand Festival."

"I was hoping you would forget," The raven-haired trainer chuckles.

They have a funny relationship. I've enjoyed getting to hear Ash's Hoenn stories from another point of view. "I can't wait to talk about some of the stories May has told me."

His eyes widen.

"I could share some as well," Another man walks in. I recognize Wallace and have actually met him before because of May. "I remember the rash trainer Ash used to be."

"And still is," I add, receiving a playful glare.

"Come on Pikachu," Ash moves to the door but his yellow pal jumps on my shoulder.

"Hi Pikachu," He nuzzles my cheek.

"We'll go get a table at the Corsola Diner," Wallace waves and drags the sulking trainer away.

May closes the door behind them.

She gives me a knowing look and I quickly make my way into the changing stall. "You can't hide Serena," I can hear the joy in her voice. "He definitely remembers the kiss."

I remember the day we went our separate ways in Kalos. When I charged up that escalator in the airport and did what I waited the entire year to do.

Ash and I called a lot over the past year but the kiss never came up. I was worried he was trying to ignore it but May made sure to remind me of his obliviousness.

"He was just excited," I argue.

"Don't convince yourself of something you don't want," She says in a sing-song voice.

She is right.

But he makes it difficult.

"Anyways you this means we're facing each other in the final now right?" I bring up the kinda awkward situation. May has helped me adjust to contest battling so much and now here we are.

"Well it is what we wanted to happen," She shrugs as I walk back out in my normal clothes, maroon skirt and black fitted shirt. I'm keeping my hair up for good luck, I can't take that blue ribbon out of my hair. "Plus now one of us will win for sure."

"I guess," I laugh lightly.

"Don't worry Serena," She smiles at me. "It's going to be fun to compete against each other for real. No matter what happens."

"You're right," I smile back. "We're going to have fun tonight."

"There's the spirit," She cheers. "Now it's time to remind Ash how expensive it is to eat with me."

"Oh boy."

Gold's POV

"This is tiring," I wipe sweat off my forehead.

If you thought the lab was messy before we started delving into this whole Arceus' spirit thing, you should see it now. We have been non-stop researching all day, trying to put together pieces to a puzzle that has never been solved.

Most legends have been completed once or twice in history, making it a legend.

But what we're attempting is a theory. A guess at how the most powerful Pokemon functions.

I've been going through the Professor's notes to see how this golden ring works. It seems like I need about double the legendary spirits compared to the plates. About 2 legendaries a district, which according to the Professor there's at least 3 so I won't have to meet them all.

The rest is still a mystery but at least we have the end goal narrowed.

The Professor has been dealing with logistics. Getting an unregistered citizen around a region that doesn't allow travelling is not easy. He says he has an idea but it won't be possible until Friday. It's only Wednesday so I have a couple days to get ready.

Thankfully, the Professor has pretty good records of where the legendaries were distributed following the Great Division. The detailed maps we've created should help me get around.

"Wait until you actually have to do this," Cedar reminds me.

"Right," I sigh, taking off my maroon jacket.

The Professor gave me some extra sets of clothes but as soon I got my usual washed, I put them right back on. I also have my own private loft in the lab which is nice. Not bad hospitality for washing up on the beach.

I am almost excited to leave though. Sure, if I get caught it won't be pretty for me or the Professor. But the researcher in me is getting the chance to create a brand new legend. That's pretty exciting.

The view out the windows is getting darker, time flies.

"I think I'm going to go get ready for bed," I yawn and climb up the wooden ladder.

He nods, not looking up from his computer.

The air gets warmer as I get up into the loft. It's very cozy, but has enough room for a bathroom, bed, and desk. Hopefully the rest of Elemente has this good of hospitality.

A knock on the door interrupts my daydreaming.

I walk over to the railing and see a horde of men in suits walk in. They immediately spread out, surrounding the Professor.

I instinctively crouch down and out of view, slowing my breathing so I can hear every word. "This can't be good," I mumble.

"President Triton," I hear Cedar welcome, not the slightest fear in his voice. He's much cooler than I am.

I peek around the corner, curious to see what the President looks like.

Surprisingly, he doesn't look much older than 40. He has a fancy purple accented black suit, matching his combed over purple hair. He's obviously no slouch, with a fit build and clean shaven face. I stay out of the gaze of his sharp grey eyes.

"Professor Cedar," The President replies and I see them shake hands before I get back out of sight of the guards. "Sorry to intrude out of nowhere."

"Not a problem," Cedar chuckles. "Sorry for the mess."

"You look busy," Suspicion filling Trition's voice.

"Well I could bore you with the details."

A brief pause in the conversation probably indicates the President is trying to pick up on what the research is about. I really hope we didn't leave anything obvious out.

I hear a ruffle of papers. "I didn't know you were still interested in Arceus."

"I gave up on my Arceus research long ago," Cedar explains. "But a recent energy release sparked my intrigue once again."

"Arceus is quite intriguing," Triton agrees. "That's part of the reason I'm here."

More papers shuffle. Maybe Cedar is trying to pile up our work to hide some of it.

"Oh?"

"Unfortunately I'm not seeing what I want."

More paper shuffling.

"Is there something you're looking for?" Cedar asks.

I can sense the coolness wearing off.

"Well..." The most powerful man in the region trails off. "I was going through my Dad's old notes and noticed your work on Arceus' plates. Granted I'm not seeing any mention of plates on any of the papers you have all over this place."

"No this research is more based on trying to figure out what that energy release was related to," Cedar half lies.

"Find anything?"

"Maybe a call out to another legendary," Keep lying Professor. "Hence the map you're holding."

"I was wondering why you had this," I hear Triton assumingly put our map down. "I did ask all of the District leaders about their legendaries and no one reported anything out of the ordinary."

"That is good to know."

"Maybe you can offer me some information as well."

I'm not sure that piece of information was worth anything.

"I can try," Cedar chuckles, but I have a feeling the President isn't smiling.

"I have been on a decade long search to find Arceus' plates but I'm struggling to find the remaining few. Did you ever have any in your possession?"

"I actually had them all."

That information was probably better kept as a secret.

"Hmm I didn't know that," Uh oh. "And you kept them for yourself?"

"Well as you've noticed I spread them around after the Great Division," Cedar talks fast. "I brought them all to Elemente but your father didn't want them."

"Of course not," Triton sighs. "He was too simple minded."

"You were always quite the scholar President."

"You can use my real name," Triton laughs...?

Suddenly all that tension disappears completely. There's some history here.

"I would like to help you Alex but I never kept a record of their locations, I gave them all to people to hide themselves."

"Making my job difficult," Alex, no that sounds wrong, Triton sighs. "Well thank you anyway. If you remember anything about them I would appreciate a call."

"Of course," Cedar says as I hear the shuffling of feet move towards the door.

"And I'm sorry I never came after Lo-"

"It's just fine," Cedar interrupts. "You and your father were busy at the time."

And that's the last I hear before the door closes.

Well that was something.