Chapter 38

It has been a day since we successfully captured Dialga and Palkia in our mission to save the world. Despite our achievement, we are aware that the Pokedex remains incomplete, lacking essential plates such as the Fist Plate, Stone Plate, Spooky Plate, Iron Plate, Draco Plate, Dread Plate, and Pixie Plate.

As the nine-star rank members, we step outside our quarters. Akari greets us, saying, "Good morning, Ash, Alice, and Rei. It looks like the space-time rift has vanished...The sky's gone back to normal again. Which I suppose means we'd better get back to our original mission: completing the Pokedex."

"Agreed," I nod.

"We're going to meet in the Survey Corps office to discuss our next steps. See you there soon, Ash, Alice, and Rei," Akari says, rushing towards the Galaxy Hall.

Alice suggests, "Should we inform her that we've already cataloged all the normal Pokémon?"

"Might as well, since we're now focused on Legendary and Mythical Pokémon," Rei replies.

In the Galaxy Hall, Cyllene addresses the three of us. "So. I trust you enjoyed yourself at the festival."

"We had a great time," I respond.

"Indeed. That only seems natural, given the crowd," Cyllene notes.

"I believe last night was the first time I've caught a glimpse of you making merry, Captain!" Laventon teases Cyllene.

"I believe you must be imagining things. Now, Professor Laventon, to business. What is the current state of progress on the Pokedex?" Cyllene asks.

"I daresay we've made quite significant progress, all in all. Though we could afford to put a little more effort into our research tasks... And of course, it is hard to know how far to go in pursuit of some reports. Certain Pokemon have only been mentioned in Hisui's legends, after all. Who knows if they are even real!" Laventon explains.

"With how little we know about Hisui's history and legends, it seems a tall order for us to tackle..." Akari adds.

"Pardon! Couldn't help but overhear!" Volo enters the hall. "If it's Hisuian history and legends you want, then I'm your man!"

"Volo?" We're surprised to see him.

"Why, I've spent plenty of time studying such things instead of - Ahem. I mean while also tirelessly doing my work for the Ginkgo Guild. And I've visited many of the ruins and whatnot here in the Hisui region already! I imagine I could teach you a thing or two about any Pokemon of legend in these parts!" Volo boasts.

"Oho! Music to my ears, my good fellow," Laventon nods.

"Listen well, Ash, Alice, and Rei. You are to learn all you can from the merchant Volo and work together as needed. For the sake of the Pokedex. We, meanwhile, will also continue to gather intelligence on Pokemon by other means," Cyllene instructs.

"Understood! I'll set up at the Heights Camp, then. Ash, Alice, Rei, I'll be expecting you! Besides, I've something I'd like to discuss with you too, so I hope you won't keep me waiting," Volo says as he departs.

Upon our arrival, we find Volo standing before the rock where Wyrdeer was previously located when we first encountered him. Volo eagerly beckons us over, exclaiming, "There you are! Have a look here, if you will. A good, long, close look, please!"

As we examine the rock, we notice familiar patterns, resembling the hieroglyphs we encountered in the Cobalt Coastlands while seeking Manaphy on a quest from Professor Laventon.

"See these patterns modeled after Pokemon? I've come to think that they might be letters - rather like hieroglyphs, if you will. I've inspected ruins across the region and have concluded that they all seem to tell the same tale. The tale of a brave soul who, together with the Pokemon at his side, went on a journey to search for the fragments of an all-encompassing deity."

"A deity?" I ask.

"Yes. An all-encompassing deity - the creator of this very universe. And its name is...Arceus. Perhaps you've already heard this name?" Volo queries.

Though we recognize the significance, we choose not to divulge everything to Volo because I am an Arceus after all. Alice responds cautiously, "The name does ring a bell."

"Of course! What else could I have expected from the heroes who saved the Hisui region? But now, let us discuss the fragments. They must surely be the plates!"

"The plates?" Rei inquires.

"Yes, the very plates you collected as you went about quelling all the frenzied nobles. Haven't you noticed that they all have words carved on their backs? Go on - give them a read."

"We've read them before," I confirm. "For instance, the Mind Plate speaks of the 'original one' who existed before the universe's creation."

"This "Original One" is none other than the Pokemon known as Arceus. So, what do you say, Ash, Alice, and Rei? I think we should try to gather all the plates! And I've got just the idea of where to start our search. Join me in the heart of Grueling Grove!"

Upon reaching Grueling Grove, Volo begins, "According to my own investigations..."

Before he can continue, a growling sound interrupts, and we spot an Alpha Vespiquen approaching. "An Alpha Vespiquen?" Alice gasps.

"Terribly sorry, but...do you think you could handle it?" Volo asks.

We swiftly triumph over Vespiquen, causing it to drop an object before flying off. I can't believe that it is my Stone Plate, now with the words, "It gathers power from the Plates, listening for the flute's song."

"A Stone Plate..." Rei observes.

"Why did that alpha Pokemon have the plate we were looking for? Maybe it just happened to find the plate lying around...In any case, that's the only other plate that I had any information about, so...that's that! And yet nothing seems to be happening. Which makes me suspect there must still be more plates left out there for us to find," Volo reflects.

"Indeed, potentially six more," I add.

"Not to worry though! I know the perfect person to ask - she's bound to know all about the plates!" Volo assures.

"Miss Cogita?" Alice questions.

"The one and only, yes. You haven't had the chance to properly thank her for her help in obtaining the Red Chain, am I right? All the more reason to pay her a visit. So, onward to the Ancient Retreat!" Volo concludes, urging us forward.

As we enter Cogita's abode, she sits on her bed, acknowledging us with a serene expression. "Oh, lost ones...It's miraculous what you've done! It seems the Red Chain served its purpose well. And you carried out your duty, as you were bid. But what brings you here? Have you yet need of me?"

"It's about Arceus. We're seeking information about the plates," I explain.

Cogita begins, her voice carrying the weight of ancient tales. "Ah, yes. A tale whose origins lie a millennium or two ago...Those were the days of the ancient Sinnoh people, from whom I am descended across many generations. These forbears of mine worshiped Arceus as the Pokemon that created the Hisui region. And I have heard of certain fragments - plates, as they are called - that were given to the ancestors of Pokemon such as Kleavor and Wyrdeer."

"Is that all? I thought that surely you could tell us more about Arceus and the plates..." Volo inquires.

"I'm afraid I've nothing new to tell you," Cogita laments. "Why, the Diamond and Pearl Clans would never have confused Dialga and Palkia with the creator, Arceus, had anything concrete been passed down."

"If only we had more to go on. The answers to these mysteries may even shed light on why Ash, Alice, and Rei here fell from the sky," Volo expresses earnestly.

"Aha. I see what you intend. Very well - I'll help as best as I can." Cogita relents. "There are still other tremendous Pokemon in Hisui - other mysteries to be solved. Whether they are connected to Arceus, I cannot say for certain. But in searching them out, perhaps you'll stumble upon the path you seek. Let me think... There are the Pokemon of the lakes, of course. And the temple giant. The crescent moon, the volcano...And perhaps you might even return to the very beginning..."

Our eyes widen in realization. We comprehend Cogita's references: the Lake Guardians, Heatran, Regigigas, and Cresselia. However, the mention of "returning to the very beginning" puzzles them — we're unsure about that particular entity or Pokémon she alludes to.

"Now, then...What would you hear of?" Cogita asks. "I can explain all 5 of them to you."

"First is the three lake Pokemon. We know for sure that they are Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf." I say.

Cogita acknowledges our knowledge, "Ah, yes. Them, you already know. Go give them your thanks for the Red Chain - and show them how strong you've become."

Rei ponders, "Do they each possess a plate, or do they collectively hold one?"

"I'm uncertain. Moving on, the volcano corresponds to Heatran," Alice declares.

"Well, where could that be but Firespit Island!" Cogita confirms.

Alice chuckles, "Irida might not be too pleased about us visiting again."

"Cresselia represents the crescent moon, and that's the third one," I continue.

"Yes, the moon...You must go where you may meet the moon's gaze unobstructed. Does that clue illuminate your path? Well...make for the Coronet Highlands, for now," Cogita instructs.

Rei sighs, "That must lead us to Melli's arena. I'd rather not encounter him again."

"But we must," I acknowledge. "Next is the giant, likely Regigigas."

"The secret that lurks in Snowpoint Temple...To find it, you must open the door that is sealed."

Alice ponders, "We visited Snowpoint Temple before, but where's the sealed door?"

"The final one remains unknown, linked to the beginning..." Rei states.

"Indeed - a beginning for you, certainly...Where was it you first fell to earth here?" Cogita asks.

Alice gasps, "Prelude Beach... Could it hold one of the plates?"

"It's a possibility," I acknowledge.

Cogita, satisfied with their inquiries, offers guidance. "Done with your questions, are you? Very well, lost one. The rest depends on you and your efforts. It appears that the opening of the space-time rift compelled Pokemon that might otherwise have stayed hidden to come out and see what has befallen the world. I hope you succeed - for your own sake and for that of the Pokedex you labor on."

We express our understanding, while Volo praises Cogita's assistance. "I knew we could rely on you, Mistress Cogita! That's more than enough information to work with. Now, let's all find those plates!"

With determination in our hearts, we set forth on our quest to locate the remaining plates scattered across the Hisui region.

As we depart from the Ancient Retreat, Volo expresses his enthusiasm, confirming his suspicions. "It's just as I had suspected! Pokemon are the key to our search, Ash, Alice, and Rei! If we can gather all the plates from them and decipher the messages on the backs of the plates at last, perhaps we can meet Arceus itself! You should go search for the Pokemon that Cogita mentioned."

Curious, I inquire, "And what will you be doing?"

"I have my own adventures of research that I'd like to pursue," Volo replies. "Arceus, creator of Hisui...I truly can't wait to see what kind of Pokemon it might be!"

Despite sensing something peculiar in Volo's demeanor, we decide to overlook it for the time being. We head back to Jubilife Village, only to find Commander Kamado waiting for us.

Kamado says, "I've had a message from Mistress Cogita. I'm told you're collecting plates of some sort with the merchant Volo? Then we must go to Prelude Beach. Meet me there."

Confusion swirls among Alice, Rei, and myself when he says that. Upon arriving, we find Kamado donning the suit of armor, issuing a challenge without much explanation.

"Prelude Beach...Indeed a place of beginning. Now is not the time for words. Face me in battle!" Kamado declares.

Surprised by the sudden request for battle, I express, "But we just battled you yesterday?"

"Allow me." Alice steps forward, eager to take on the challenge. "It's my turn. Ash faced you before, not me."

Kamado agrees, and as the battle ensues, his team features the same lineup as before, except for a new addition—Heracross. However, Serena's Braviary swiftly defeats the Heracross, and the rest of Kamado's Pokémon are conquered by our team, matching the Pokémon we previously faced.

"You've both grown even stronger since we faced one another on Mount Coronet. It's clear you do not view Pokemon as dangerous enemies but rather as trustworthy allies - allies with whom you can reach great heights. Perhaps you are a divine being yourself, sent to bring us gifts from above..." Kamado reflects.

"That's a bit of an exaggeration," Rei remarks, and we chuckle softly.

"Here! You should have this." Kamado then presents one of Arceus's plates—the Fist Plate—bearing the inscription, "The rift is born of disorder on the other side of this world," linking it to the chaos caused by Dialga and Palkia.

"When the very first of our Galaxy Expedition Team - myself, Beni, and the others - set foot on Prelude Beach, we found that plate. It clearly held some kind of power, and so I've kept it safe all this time. I find it fitting that it should now end up with you, who likewise arrived here on this same beach! Perhaps something is guiding us...Indeed, it must be so. You and I, Adaman, Irida...It'd appear we're all being guided by the one called almighty Sinnoh." Kamado remarks.

"I agree," I respond.

"Hrrm. It might be more appropriate to call this region the Sinnoh region. I know I've no right to say this...But we are truly fortunate to have been able to count you among the Survey Corps' ranks. If you had not joined us, we would have fallen on Mount Coronet. We would have lost our home. We would have lost our future." Kamado acknowledges.

We nod in gratitude, and Kamado concludes, "Now then. Carry on with your survey work! The knowledge that you collect about the wild Pokemon of this region will serve to illuminate our path forward as we walk into the future!"

We nod as we leave the beach, hoping to get back on our journey to find the other plates.

Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, you can see that Ash, Alice, and Rei are going to gather the remaining plates. I hope you like this chapter.

Ash and Alice's Pokemon (Hisui):

Pikachu, Arcanine (Hisuian), Electrode (Hisuian), Typhlosion (Hisuian), Espeon, Torterra, Infernape, Empoleon, Lucario, Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Cresselia, Manaphy, Samurott (Hisuian), Lilligant (Hisuian), Zoroark (Hisuian), Braviary (Hisuian), Tornadus, Thundurus, Landorus, Goodra (Hisuian), Avalugg (Hisuian), Decidueye (Hisuian), Wyrdeer, Kleavor, Ursaluna, Basculegion, Sneasler, Overqwil

Ash and Lillie's Pokemon (Ultra Dimensions):

Charizard, Butterfree x2, Lapras, Meganium, Steelix, Mantine, Sceptile, Gardevoir, Milotic, Absol, Glaceon, Gallade, Samurott, Audino, Zoroark, Hydreigon, Meowstic x2, Aegislash, Hawlucha