"Hey Arceus, can't you fly?" Ash asked as Charizard flew over the ocean from Canalave City, heading south.
"Not so much of flying as it is walking or galloping through the air." Arceus explained.
"Okay, so we're still traveling via Charizard then because?" Ash asked.
"MissigNo has a headstart on the search, we don't know where he is, or who he has corrupted, all I know for certain is that he is here." Arceus said. "And if I were to assume my more known form, he could sense we already have two of the plates."
"So we want to wait until we have a majority of the plates before we do that." Ash said as they saw a lake come into view in the distance.
"Majority, and we know all 17 plates are found." Arceus added. "Preferably all or nearly all in our possession, I already fear he has found at least some plates."
"Yeah, you've said that." Ash said. "So what would you like me to do while we're meeting with this friend of yours?"
"Keep watch, I would like to try and keep things going smoothly. My friend is known to be quiet jumpy." Arceus said.
"Alright, I might do a quick checkup on the team then, these battles haven't exactly been easy." Ash said.
"Go for it, I won't be long." Arceus said.
Ash sent out his team, making sure they were all fed and healthy, looking around at the lake they were in the center of.
"I wish I had a Pokedex for this region, Arceus is helpful, but it's definitely been a while since I fought Pokemon I didn't know otherwise." Ash admitted, while checking Charizard's wings.
"Sir, if I show up, he'll suspect something." Paul said from the shadows. "I can't fight him constantly until I"m certain he's on the side of that wretched Arceus. Very well, I'll have one of my Pokemon attack him again, to see if he has one of the plates with him."
In the cave with Arceus
"I am aware I look different, but It has come here, and if I were to return to my battle form now, I won't have enough strength to fight It." Arceus said.
"You need to be more caring for the world, we have suffered in the years you've been gone." Mesprite said.
"My concern here is stopping It at all costs, what I need to prioritize is stopping It, I can reset the damage once I've regained my full strength." Arceus said.
"You act like you don't care, but that boy and his Pokemon are a concern of yours." Mesprite said calmly.
"Ashton and his Pikachu are our chosen heroes for this point of space time." Arceus said. "I show concern only because I need them if I wish to succeed in this threat."
"And what of everyone else here?" Mesprite asked. "Their loved ones will disappear and they won't know."
"I understand your concerns for the emotions of everyone here, but we cannot worry about those problems. You know our first concern is to prepare Ashton to stop any threat to this dimension." Arceus said.
Back outside
"Pi!" Pikachu said angrily, looking out towards the lake.
"What is it buddy?" Ash asked, looking out to see something crashing through the lake headed right for them. "Pikachu get ready."
"Pi!" Pikachu called out.
Ash and Pikachu watched as a Gyarados leapt into the air, water splashing down around them.
"This one, I know how to fight. Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu sent a bolt of electricity out at the Gyarados, sending a blast of electricity out at the water snake, before it launched a blast of water back at them.
"Pikachu use Iron Tail!"
PIkachu leapt at Gyarados, striking it with an Iron Tail, sending Gyarados flying backwards.
"That was unexpectedly strong." Ash said. "Pikachu use another Iron Tail!"
Pikachu sped across the surface of the lake, pushing against Gyarados before sending it flying into the surrounding woods.
"Huh, I wasn't expecting that kind of reaction, usually they don't go down that easily." Ash admitted, as the Gyarados didn't come back.
"Is everything alright Ashton?" Arceus asked, walking back out.
"Yeah, I have a question though, is there any way the Iron Plate could be affecting my Pokemon?" Ash asked.
"No, I've made sure that you and your Pokemon are safe from the effects of the plates that we've collected, why are you concerned?" Arceus asked.
"I just sent a Gyarados flying with just Iron Tail." Ash said.
"Hmm, it is possible the Gyarados was affected by another plate, such as the Stone Plate or missing Pixie Plate." Arceus said.
"So we can confirm at this point that the Pixie Plate is on the move." Ash realized.
"And whoever has it at least believes you have a plate yourself." Arceus added.
"All the more reason for us to continue how we have been then. Were you able to get what you needed from your friend?" Ash asked.
"They are concerned that I am clouded in my judgment, but gave me the necessary power to begin the creation of a Red Chain." Arceus said.
"They think your judgment is clouded?" Ash asked. "Maybe I should know why."
"They are the being of Emotion, it is their job to be more in tune with the world's feelings." Arceus said. "As such they feel me focusing on the larger threat is a poor choice right now."
"We stop MissigNo, and then we can fix everything he did." Ash agreed.
"I will make sure to reset any corruption once the dimension is safe from him." Arceus said.