"So we need to find and gather these 17 plates before this thing gets a hold of them." Ash said with a sigh.
"Yes, I can sense where they are and it will simply be a matter of gathering all of them." Arceus explained.
"And are you going to stay in that form, or will you be switching back? Because the big white glowing deity will definitely draw unwanted attention to us." Ash pointed out.
"Fair point." Arceus said, switching back to the child like form. "As it stands if something has my plate, I will need your assistance in subduing them for me to get the plate."
"Battle them to a point where they can't fight back that I can do." Ash said. "So I'm guessing there are plates for each type if there are 17."
"Yes, every type except normal." Arceus explained.
"Except, there are only 17 types." Ash reminded.
"Ahh, you never learned because you never went to Kalos, there was a researcher looking into the Fairy type, but you wouldn't have found out about them as their research was just beginning as you finished the Battle Frontier." Arceus realized.
"Look 18 or 1800 types, it doesn't matter, I can handle it." Ash said. "So how are we going to get to Sinnoh? I doubt your plan involves a plane."
"I can get us there, unfortunately, teleporting around the region may be dangerous with It roaming around there." Arceus said.
"No problem, once we're there Charizard can get us around fairly quickly." Ash said, pulling out a map. "So where are we going to start?"
"The most condensed amount of my plates is right here, with three in this general vicinity." Arceus said.
"Great! We'll be done in no time!" Ash said looking at the map. "So what's this place we're going to first?"
"Sandgem Town, I believe my Splash Plate was sent there." Arceus said calmly. "It's likely someone has found it in these eight years and become imbued with it's power especially considering both my and MissigNo's reappearance in this world."
"So get ready for a tough battle is what you're saying." Ash commented.
"Yes, you will need to hold their attention until I am able to remove the plate from them." Arceus explained.
"Simple enough, Sceptile and Pikachu should be able to keep any water types they throw at us occupied." Ash said.
"Then we should be off." Arceus said, opening a swirling gold and white portal.
"Fancy." Ash said, stepping through.
"Pika Pi." Pikachu said in agreement.
The trio went through the portal, stepping to the other side into a puddle.
"GET AWAY!" A man's voice shouted, but it sounded like he was underwater.
Ash looked up in shock of who was there.
"I recognize him, we've had a few exhibition matches!" Ash said. "What happened to Palmer?"
"He's been corrupted, I can remove the plate, but I need you to keep him occupied." Arceus said.
"That I can do. Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
"Milotic use Iron Head!"
A Milotic shot out of Palmer's corrupted body, launching at Pikachu as the electric type dodged it.
"Alright Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
"Milotic use Hydro Pump!"
Milotic spun around, shooting out a blast of water that stopped Pikachu's attack and sent him tumbling backwards.
"Okay, that's different." Ash commented.
"His Pokemon are powered by the plate as well, they will be more dangerous than before." Arceus said, flying towards Palmer.
"Alright then, Pikachu use Volt Tackle!"
"Milotic use Dragon Pulse!"
Pikachu launched forward, engulfed in electricity, piercing through the Dragon Pulse and slamming into Milotic as it's watery form dissipated.
"Definitely a weird battle." Ash commented.
"Dragonite come on out!" Palmer gurgled as a Dragonite flew from his form.
"Of course we're not done." Ash groaned. "Pikachu we've got this one. Charizard come on out and use Flamethrower!"
"Dragonite use Flamethrower!"
While Charizard's flames were stronger, they did barely anything against Dragonite, as if it wasn't even affected by them.
"Arceus!" Ash shouted in confusion.
"It's possible that their Pokemon were also affected by my powers and have taken on a water like form." Arceus said, as he looked for the source of Palmer's Power.
"Of course they were." Ash said. "Alright Charizard use Dragon Pulse!"
"Dragonite use Hyper Beam!"
The two attacks collided in mid air, engulfing the sky in their energy before bursting outwards.
"Charizard use Air Slash!"
"Dragonite use Aqua Tail!"
Charizard rushed forward, slicing his wings back and forth at Dragonite, while trying to dodge its attack.
"Charizard use another Dragon Pulse!"
"Dragonite use Stone Edge!"
Charizard easily outmaneuvered the airborne stones, having mastered sky battling, and sending a burst of energy that engulfed Palmer's Dragonite.
"At least I know what it can do now." Ash said. "Charizard use Air Slash!"
"Dragonite use Iron Tail!"
"WAIT WHAT?!" Ash exclaimed, as Dragonite used a fifth move, slamming his tail against Charizard while the two were shocked, causing the fire type to begin plummeting.
"Charizard switch out! Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" Ash exclaimed.
Charizard was recalled just in time before he hit the ground as Pikachu leapt into the air sending out a single bolt of electricity that pierced through Dragonite, dissipating it's watery form.
"HOW ARE WE LOOKING ARCEUS!?" Ash called out.
"Almost there!" Arceus shouted back.
"Rhyperior FINISH THEM!" Palmer shouted outraged as a giant watery Rhyperior came out from his form.
"THERE IN IT'S HORN!" Arceus called out, pointing at the Splash Plate.
"Of course," Ash sighed. "Sceptile come on out and use Leaf Blade!
"Rhyperior use Hammer Arm!"
Sceptile leapt up and onto Rhyperior's arm, running up the entire length of it leaping towards the horn, only to get swatted back.
"Sceptile use X Scissor! Pikachu use Volt Tackle!"
"Rhyperior use Rock Blast!"
Sceptile blocked the boulders from striking Pikachu as the small electric type launched off of his back towards Rhyperior's horn at a breakneck speed.
"Sceptile keep his attention on you with another Leaf Blade!"
Sceptile rushed forward, striking the giant Rhyperior multiple times as Pikachu broke into the watery behemoth and back out moments later, sending the Splash Plate flying into the air.
"Got it!" Arceus said, the Splash Plate now floating around him before disappearing.
With the source of the power gone, Rhyperior melted away as Palmer shrank down to a normal size.
"Palmer!" Ash shouted, running over to the man to see most of his body was missing or seperated. "WHAT HAPPENED!?"
"These powers were never meant to be merged with mortals, especially not this long or this much." Arceus admitted.
"Fix. Him." Ash said angrily.
"I cannot." Arceus said. "Without my full power I cannot remove this level of damage."
"Then we get all of your plates and you fix everything and everyone." Ash warned.
"Of course." Arceus said, as the rest of Palmer melted away.
"Let me guess, I'm going to have to witness that a lot more before this is done." Ash said.
"I apologize, but yes." Arceus said calmly.
"Then let's go, I've got work to do." Ash said, returning Sceptile to his Pokeball. "Where's our next stop?"
"Jubilife City, my Pixie Plate should have fallen there." Arceus said.
Ash's Current Team and Their Moves
Pikachu: Thunderbolt - Quick Attack - Iron Tail - Volt Tackle
Charizard: Flamethrower - Dragon Pulse - Air Slash - Seismic Toss
Sceptile: Leaf Blade - X Scissor - Night Slash - Double Team