In the quiet town of Pallet Town, the legendary Rainbow Hero had returned from his latest adventure dealing with a wild child, a troop of the Mythical Pokémon Zarude, and saving a jungle with legendary healing properties.

Now, he was just staring out the Rainbow Feather in his hands.

While he was grateful for such a chance to become the Rainbow Hero, Ash Ketchum couldn't help but wonder if there was more to it than just battling Ho-Oh.

The chance was quite the experience, even if he supposedly lost his life according to Verity and Sorrel.

Then there was Fula City. Meeting all the people who helped with the forest fire and Zeraora.

And now the latest adventure in saving a jungle, teaching Koko about his human side, and making the Zarudes realize they share the jungle with all the other Pokémon.

As unique as his adventures had been, he felt like he had stunted his growth. He felt like everyone he had encountered and helped was excelling while he was just wandering around the regions. While Ash is grateful for the friends he made, there was a part of him that felt needed to improve as a Pokémon Trainer and Master.

KNOCK KNOCK*

"Ash, honey?" His mom, Delia, asked on his door.

"Yeah, mom, I'm here." He responded, sitting up while not disrupting Pikachu's sleep.

Opening the door, Delia entered and sat next to her son. When she did, she saw a slight concern on Ash's face, as if he was thinking about something. "Is everything alright, sweetie?"

"Yeah, everything's fine." Ash waved off but his mom knew better.

"Are you sure? Because I can tell that something is bothering you." Delia responded with an all-knowing look. "What is it?"

Ash, knowing he couldn't hide it from his mom, decided to come clean. "It's just… Do you think I'm a good trainer?"

"Yes, honey." His mom answered. "Why? Do you think you aren't?"

"Well, it's just that, I've been reflecting. And while, I've seen amazing things and done some too… I felt like I could have been better." Ash admitted.

"Where is this coming from?" Delia asked in concern. She didn't want her son feeling like he was nothing.

Ash continued. "I mean… I have only ever caught three Pokémon. My starter, Butterfree -who I released for love- and Charizard, who I saved and he's been with me ever since."

"So what are you saying?" Delia questioned.

"Well, I'm just thinking… How am I supposed to be a Pokémon Master? I mean there are no guidelines and everyone I've met seems to be improving themselves. Meanwhile, I'm just visiting different places. Hardly improving myself as it is."

Delia frowned as she felt her son wasn't being a great Pokémon Trainer. "Well, what do you think it means to be a Pokémon Master?"

Ash was about to respond but then he looked down. The concept of a Pokémon Master was quite vague to him. He figured it would be just winning a league but he felt like it was more than that. He couldn't describe it.

Seeing the puzzled look on her son's face, Delia kissed his forehead. "Think about overnight, sweetie. I'm sure it will come to you." With that said, she got off the bed and closed the door behind her.

Ash decided it was probably best to sleep on it,


Ash awoke, finding himself floating in a void of space. Aimlessly trying to swim around, he called out in the void. "Hello? Hello!"

All he heard was his voice echo across the domain.

"Hello to you, Ash Ketchum." A voice boomed, the tone quite regal and authority.

"W-who said that?" Ash asked aloud, confused that anyone with even be here.

"Fear not, Rainbow Hero." The voice responded.

Hearing the title, Ash froze. He hadn't been called that since the beginning of his journey. "You know about my title?"

"Know about it?" The voice said before giggling, "Of course. It is your destiny."

Ash was confused, "My… destiny?"

"Yes." The voice repeated before a golden glow appeared. Ash covered his eyes from the light and when it died down, the boy saw a magnificent looking Pokémon.

It was a white quadruped with a crest, yellow crossed rings around its torso, yellow hooves, and green eyes with red pupils. It gave off a royal and majestic aura. "I have been wanting to talk to you for a long time, Ash."

"You know about my name?" Ash continued to question. He had never met such a Pokémon before.

"Indeed." The Pokémon spoke in a feminine tone.

"Wait, is that… telepathy?" Ash realized.

"Right on the nose, aren't you?" The quadruped responded. Both boy and Pokémon began to descend down onto a platform that seemed to radiate with stars.

"So… what kind of Pokémon are you?" Ash asked once he landed on the place.

"I am Arceus." The quadruped revealed to the boy.

"Arceus?" Ash replied before realizing, "As in the Arceus?! God of Pokémon?!"

"That is correct." Arceus said.

"I… I don't believe it…" Ash let out, placing his hand to his forehand. He couldn't believe that he was before Arceus herself.

"I know this is a lot to take in, Rainbow Hero." Arceus chimed in. "But as I mentioned, I have been waiting to see you."

"You have been waiting to talk to me?" Ash questioned.

Arceus nodded. "Yes, about your destiny."

"Destiny?"

"You see, the Rainbow Hero… is more than a mere trainer." Arceus explained before several images flashed around her and the trainer. "The Rainbow Hero is a destiny for only one trainer to follow."

"But I thought only one trainer receives the wing from Ho-Oh a year?" Ash recalled.

"Yes… but none of them are more worthy than you." Arceus explained. "While it doesn't seem like it, every trainer before you has failed. Their hearts, ego, and everything in between dipped their hearts into darkness. For years now, Ho-Oh has tried to find one trainer truly worthy of his feather. However, you receiving the feather was not a mistake. It is destiny."

"What do you mean by that?" Ash questioned.

"The Rainbow Hero is also known as the Chosen One." Arceus clarified. "A destiny that will unite both people and Pokémon to a greater future. The Chosen One entangles with each legendary and mythical Pokémon, helping them see that not all humans are evil. They help build a better future where humanity and Pokémon can live free of conflict."

Once Ash heard about that, he remembers how he changed views on Zeraora and the Zarude troop.

But he began to have some doubts. "But why me? I'm no one special…"

Arceus' sensed the doubt the Rainbow Hero had. It pained her to feel such emotion of doubt and worry. Contretrating, she gave off a golden glow before revealing several images.

The images all depicted one person: Ash Ketchum.

Ash looked around to see various moments in his life. However, what caught his attention was the fact that he never did any of these. Many stood out to him.

One showed him with his Charizard against Gary's Blastoise.

A photo of him holding a trophy with a team of Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charizard, Tauros, and Lapras. They had used their hands/paws/hoof/flipper as a print.

A green lizard blitzed forward, taking on a stone golem of sorts. Next to it was Pikachu taking on one made of ice.

An orange and white furred primate with a fire crown clashed with a yellow Pokémon that resembled an Electabuzz before an explosion occurred and the latter was down.

A maroon crocodile wearing sunglasses clashed head-on with a Dragonite that looked rather brutal.

A blue frog that looked like him hurled a massive shuriken at a monolith of a serpent.

Another had Pikachu releasing multicolored lightning bolts at a yellow goliath with a shell-like head.

There was one of him posed with Pikachu, Dragonite, Gengar, Lucario, a white Farfetch'd looking Pokémon with a leek sword and green shield, and a fish-faced Pokémon on a green tail and legs. This Ash had another trophy in his hands and confetti raining down. He had a massive smile and on his arms had three different items.

The Rainbow Hero was blown away at the provided images.

"See, Chosen One? You are worthy." Arceus declared. "I know your concerns and doubts weigh on you but do not let that thinking stop you from your journey."

Ash was breathless as he saw the constant images of himself. "But I've… never done this. Any of this before…" He let out, still grasping the fact.

"Not in this timeline." Arceus said, "Another version of yourself."

"Another version?" Ash repeated.

"Yes," Arceus stated. "This Ash has been through eight regions, countless adventures, has made friends with many people and Pokémon alike. And he's helped Legendaries and Mythicals through his selfless actions."

Arceus gestured to one where the other Ash was turned to stone and changed the views of Mew and a humanoid looking Pokémon that resemble Mew. The Ash was restored from the tears of the Pokémon.

Next was one stopping the legendary birds of Kanto with a Lugia. After placing three different orbs in designated slots, they flew through the air without a care in the world, showing peace.

Then, there was one where he was swimming with a girl to save a blue baby like Pokémon in an underwater city.

Another showed him fighting alongside a gray centipede-dragon in a world with floating land masses.

Then, one with him comforting a cream-colored horse with a red mane, broken horn, and blue tail.

Another one had him fighting alongside other people and Pokémon against other controlled Pokémon. There was a red mechanical looking one firing compressed blasts of water from its cannons.

And finally, there was one where the other Ash was talking to Arceus itself, confronting it and preventing it from destroying the world.

"Those are just some of the achievements this other Ash has done." The deity explained. "I am grateful that he has had the chance to save me. If he did not, I would have laid waste to millions, my own creations."

"If this Ash can do all that, what does it mean for me?" The Rainbow Ash inquired.

"You two are the same sides of a coin," Arceus sagely informed. "You both want to be Pokémon Masters." The deity gave off a golden glow again and an illusionary Ash appeared (Journeys outfit).

"But I… I don't even know what it means." The Rainbow Ash said.

"Well, the term is loosely translated at times." Arceus admitted.

The ICY Ash looked up at the deity before looking at the illusionary Ash, which was later flanked with Pikachu, Charizard, a dark blue beetle, the green lizard, orange and white primate, maroon crocodile with sunglasses, blue frog with pink scarf-tongue, an orange Lycanroc, and Lucario with bushy fur, longer appendages, and red on its paws. Shortly after, many other Pokémon formed around him.

Thinking about it, Ash looked at his counterpart's Pokémon and their expressions. They looked… happy.

Like a family.

That's when Ash finally could describe the term. "I think it means… to bond with every Pokémon there ever is or was. Training them to be their best and learn everything about them."

Arceus absorbed what the Rainbow Hero had said and nodded. "Well said, Ash." The deity glowed gold once more which encompassed Ash as well.

Once it ended, Ash realized he wasn't on the platform anymore. Looking around, he came across a familiar landscape.

"This is… Mount Tensei…" Ash let out.

Indeed, he was back on the same mountain he had supposedly died on. The sun was shortly rising which meant it was sunrise. Ash was startled, thinking that he had spent too much time talking to the deity, but Arceus soothed him.

"It is alright, Chosen One." Arceus assured him, "You are not physical here. Just your corporeal self. You are still asleep."

Ash nodded before asking. "What are we doing here?"

"Well, your strength and determination has impressed some Pokémon that witnessed your fight between Ho-Oh." Arceus informed him. "Not many trainers create that effect on wild Pokémon."

Ash looked left and right, not seeing any Pokémon in the area. "Then… where are they?"

"I instructed them to head towards Pallet Town. They should arrive in the afternoon. Though some are quicker than others." Arceus explained. "But one resident here decided to stay until you came again."

Ash was puzzled by what Arceus meant. Then he felt a cold chill enter the air, even if he was corporal.

"And here he is." The deity stated before gesturing downard. From her shadow, Marshadow's head appeared before reconstituting himself into his full appearance.

"Marshadow!" Ash yelped, remembering what the Gloomdweller Pokémon is capable of.

However, the small Fighting/Ghost-type bowed before Ash and Arceus.

"It's… bowing?"

"Yes. As an apology." Arceus clarified. "While it was a test, Marshadow feels he took it too far which resulted in your death."

Ash figured out what the deity meant. He had controlled the many Pokémon that were awaiting the Rainbow Hero before Cross tainted the feather and resulted in a catastrophic event. Ash took a sorrowful look at the dweller of shadows and approached him.

"It's alright." Ash said, forgiving Marshadow. With that said, the Gloomdweller Pokémon stood back up and had a smile on his face.

Arceus slowly hovered over, "Now with that out of the way, Ash, Marshadow has given you a once in a lifetime opportunity: to catch him."

"C-catch Marshadow!?" Ash exclaimed. He placed a hand to his head, unable to comprehend such a chance.

"Indeed." Arceus nodded. "He's never met a trainer such as yourself. One willing to sacrifice himself for the well-being of their Pokémon. You have earned his respect and he wishes to join you."

Ash was still in disbelief and asked the shadow dweller himself. "A-are you sure you want to come with me?"

'Yes.' Marshadow answered through telepathy, surprising Ash more.

"You use telepathy too?"

"Of course," Arceus said, "It's how most Legendaries or Mythicals talk."

Ash nodded before Marshadow jumped onto his shoulder, somehow able to interact with the Rainbow Hero's spiritual form.

"Now then, let's get you ready." Arceus suggested and the three reappeared on the cosmic platform from before.

"Ready for what?" Ash questioned.

"To become a Pokémon Master." Arceus explained.

Ash nodded with an eager grin, "You bet! I'm ready to take the world by storm and show them I'm the best!"

While she didn't have a proper mouth, Arceus smiled at the Rainbow Hero. "If that is so. Then I have two tasks for you."

"What are they?" Ash questioned.

"Catch every Pokémon and unlock your Aura abilities." Arceus started.

"What's Aura?" Ash questioned, never heard of the concept before.

"Aura is considered the essence of every living thing. The ideology is less known now but in Sinnoh and a small region in Kanto, the practice still continues." Arceus explained.

"But how will I master it?" Ash followed up.

"You will learn, after all, there is a certain Pokémon that can help you with your training. But that is all for now." Arceus concluded.

Ash nodded and gave a determined smile, "I won't let you down!"

"And when you wake up, I have some gifts for you." Arcues revealed which made Ash smile even more. His corporeal form began to fade, signaling he was waking up.

"Thanks for everything, Arceus." Ash finished and left the stage.

Arceus nodded just as the Rainbow Hero left. The deity returned to Mount Tensei, looking around vaguely.

"I know you are there." She said, looking around.

Up the trail, Bonji -the old hiker who recognized the Rainbow Hero- appeared with Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Zeraora, and a Zarude behind him.

"Were you listening?" The deity said.

"Of course, mother." Bonji said before Transforming into his true form: Mew.

The Ancestral Pokémon bowed before the god, followed by the other Legendaries and Mythicals in the presence.

"Arceus, is it true Marshadow went with the Rainbow Hero?" Entei wondered aloud.

"It is true." Arceus confirmed.

"Why is that?" Zeraora spoke up, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow.

"Because he saw the compassion and willingness that Ash has. He witnessed the Chosen One sacrifice himself for his starter, one he saved during the beginning of his journey who distrusted him." Arceus explained. "This feat alone inspired Marshadow to join."

The gathered Legendaries and Mythicals all nodded, understanding Ash's behavior.

'In truth, I was to join him in the future.' Entei revealed, much to the surprise of his brother and sister.

'... I wish to do the same.' Raikou admitted.

'Guess if you two are thinking about it, I might as well come.' Suicune said, intrigued by the Rainbow Hero.

Arceus nodded before looking at the other two Mythicals. "And you two?"

'I admit, I didn't notice him at first.' The Zarude lamented. 'But he taught the troop to share the jungle as well as accept Dada among us. He's inspired me. I want to join him, but now is not the time I believe.'

'He risked his life to save Fula City with the citizens.' Zeroara stated. 'They have all earned my respect and trust. His Pikachu is quite impressive and I wish for a rematch one day.'

Arceus nodded and looked to the sky.

'Is something wrong, mother?' Mew asked.

Arceus gazed at the youngest Mythical and explained. "I sense evil forces growing. One that Ash will battle with the help of his Pokémon. Only then will the Rainbow Hero be able to pave a new path."

All of the Legendaries nodded in understanding. Arceus' golden glow returned, "I shall be monitoring him. He's destined for great things. If you wish to join him, do it on your own terms. Good luck, my children." With that said, Arceus retreated back to the Hall of Origins and the gathered Legendaries took off in separate directions.

A/N: New Pokémon story. An idea I had from reading Star-Eyes Pendulum Dragon's "Ash the legendary Rainbow Hero." Pretty much a retelling of Ash's story in Kanto.

This is set in the 'I Choose You' continuity. His current team is just Pikachu and Charizard.

No flames.

And goodbye to Ash and Pikachu, thank you for being a part of our childhoods.