Author's note
This chapter starts around the time that Ash and Arceus split in the last chapter, don't worry it will all be explained.
"This situation has gotten more dire than I had anticipated, we never predicted that IT could gather humans of their own to do their bidding. Unfortunately all of this world's strongest trainers are either corrupted or erased, I might have to break a few more rules if we are to stop it." Arceus said, opening his eyes to the worlds he's visited.
Meanwhile on Earth 62, the home of Trap Ash, near the Sinnoh Battle Frontier
"Alright we've got our battle against Dahlia coming up, so let's get some practice in." Trap Ash said. "Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
"Really that tactic again, Cinderace use Pyro Ball!" Goh called out, having come up to visit Ash for the weekend.
Cinderace kicked up a stone before engulfing it in flames and launching it at Pikachu, only for both Ash and Pikachu to disappear in a flash of golden light.
"Ash?" Goh asked in confusion. "Is this a new aura power? Hello?"
Earth 123, home of Seer Ash, in Goldenrod City, Johto
"See I told you Cassie, easy peasy." Ash said, looking at his badge.
"Yeah, well Egguardo's evolution definitely made a difference in deterring Whitney's Miltank this time." Cassie said, floating beside Ash. "So where to next?"
"I think our next stop is Ekruteak City, but I've heard there's a Bug Catching Contest happening nearby tomorrow, so I thought we could check that out, maybe add a new powerful member to the team." Ash said, looking at his map.
"Well after sending most of your old team back to Kanto, I can see why you're looking for some more power." Cassie commented. "Just don't go over exerting yourself again, we still don't know what Team Rocket is up to, or why they were collecting Slowpoke Tails."
"Yeah, and that weird clone of me is still running around causing trouble too." Ash said, as a golden spiral opened beneath him.
"Ash!" Cassie shouted, as he fell through the portal. "Not again." Cassie groaned, knowing she couldn't even ask for help.
Earth 560, home of Coordinator Ash, on the outskirts of Oreburgh City
"Yeah Brendan I'm hearing you, no I haven't heard from Wally since we parted ways." Ash groaned. "I know he's our friend but he's also a skilled battler, and I've taken on a new apprentice I can't be focusing on you guys every moment now."
"Wait, a new apprentice, you barely liked me and Wally at first, it took you months, what changed?" Brendan asked.
"She's a new coordinator and saw my victory in the Kanto Grand Festival, so I've been giving her some tips and advice to help her out." Ash said calmly. "But she isn't following me around like a lost puppy either."
"Hey, you were relying on us for directions back in Hoenn, but I'm still worried about Wally." Brendan said. "I'm planning to go and check on him, just in case, think you could make the trip out?"
"Yeah, just let me know when it's happening, and I'll book a flight." Ash said.
"Thanks and hey great work on that last appeal I watched the whole contest live." Brendan said.
"ASHTON THERE IS SOMETHING COMING FOR US!" The Primal Force shouted.
"Gotta go Brendan, something's happening." Ash said, as four green and red tendrils came out of his back. "Alright who and where are you?"
A golden portal opened up beneath him, making the tendrils useless to try and catch them before falling through.
Earth 618, home of Alolan Ash/Ark, outside of Pewter City
"Alright Pikachu, time for our first official gym battle." Ark said, adjusting his Z Ring. "Dad said that this gym specializes in rock types, but I think we should start with Incineroar, he's been itching for a good fight, what do you think?"
"Pika!" Pikachu cheered excitedly, ready for a good fight as well.
"Alright then lets go!" Ark said, stepping forward only to be lifted off the ground. "Seriously another wormhole? Here!" Ark exclaimed as he and Pikachu were pulled into the golden portal above them.
Back on Earth 17, home of Arceus and Ash, roughly near the end of the last chapter.
"Arceus." Ash said, watching the portals open.
"Yes Ashton?" Arceus asked.
"Who did you find?" Ash asked as the people fell out of the portals.
"Seriously, again!" Trap Ash shouted, creating an aura bubble around him and his Pikachu to protect them from the fall.
"Ash, I need some help!" Seer Ash said, seeing Coordinator Ash and his Pikachu.
"I've got you!" Coordinator Ash said, wrapping a tendril around Seer Ash and his PIkachu, before putting the other three into the clifface to slow down their descent.
"AGHHHH!" Ark exclaimed, as he and his Pikachu plummeted towards the ground.
"Okay, I thought we agreed no random summoning." Trap Ash said, standing up and recovering. "You're new."
"Who are you?" Ash said. "And why do you look familiar?"
"Oh he's not going to like this at all." Coordinator Ash chuckled as he walked up with Seer Ash.
"Arceus, can I have a word with you for just a moment." Ash said, pulling him aside.
"What seems to be the problem Ashton?" Arceus asked.
"DId you just summon three random versions of me from the multiverse?!" Ash asked.
"Of course not. I summoned four versions of you. And they aren't random, I've seen what each of them are capable of and I believe that they could greatly help us." Arceus pointed out.
"OKay, so does someone want to tell me what happened, and where I am, also is this earth?" Ark asked.
"Allow me." Arceus said. "Across the multiverse there is a constant."
"Quick version, we're all you from other worlds, he likely summoned us here for some big threat that this world's Ash is dealing with, and yes you're on earth, just not your earth." Trap Ash said.
"Alright then." Ark said.
"Wait, just like that you believe him?" Ash asked.
"I've spent the past few months fighting off aliens from other dimensions, this is nothing." Ark admitted.
"So what are we dealing with here, is the Dark One back again?" Trap Ash asked.
"Evil clones are trying to replace everyone you know?" Seer Ash asked.
"Rampaging Legendary bent on destroying the world by possessing them and granting them a fraction of their powers." Coordinator Ash guessed.
"That one is actually fairly accurate." Ash said. "So lets get some introductions out of the way, I am Ash Ketchum, and I am the worlds first titled Pokemon Master. And who are you four?"
"I'm Ark, champion of Alola." Ark said.
"Good, a champion we could use that." Pokemon Master Ash admitted. (This worlds Ash will be referred to as Pokemon Master Ash going forward so as to not confuse anyone.)
"I'm Ashton Ketchum, and I am a top coordinator." Coordinator Ash introduced.
"Wait you won a ribbon cup?" Trap Ash asked.
"Yeah, I thought you were watching me though." Coordinator Ash said in confusion.
"I have my own life too, once you weren't threatening everything I stopped checking in." Trap Ash said.
"Alright so who are you, let me guess Ashley?" Pokemon Master Ash asked.
"No, I'm still Ash or Ashton, sometimes Ashlynn, but that's a whole other story. And I am the ranked number 2 trainer in my world." Trap Ash said.
"Second place, great." Pokemon Master Ash groaned. "How about you?"
"Oh, I'm Ash Ketchum, and I just earned the Plain Badge from Whitney." Seer Ash said, noticing the strange looks from the two newest members. "What it took me three tries."
"Alright send those three home." Pokemon Master Ash said, pointing to Trap, Seer, and Coordinator Ash.
"Ashton, I beg you to reconsider." Arceus said.
"Look our world is at stake right now, and what I need are competent winners." Pokemon Master Ash said. "Not second place, or a coordinator, or a guy who took three tries to beat Whitney!"
"Hey, I'll have you know, I'm also!" Trap Ash began to argue.
"Don't care, I asked for help and all I want is his." Pokemon Master Ash said pointing at Ark. "Are you in?"
"Saving the world, yeah I can get behind that again." Ark said with confidence.
"Alright Arceus send those three home, we've got work to do." Pokemon Master Ash said.
"Apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused, please have a safe trip home." Arceus said, dropping them through three portals again.
"Oh come on!" Trap Ash exclaimed as they fell back to their own worlds.
"So where too?" Ark asked, looking to Pokemon Master Ash and Arceus.
"Hearthome City, to find the next plate." Arceus said, pointing across the mountains.