Tokyo, Japan, Standard Universe…

"And that does it. Another day, another night of doing nothing." Tsubaki sighed as she was headed home for the night.

"You really aren't all into that job, are you?" Sachiko asked.

"Hey, we can't all be superheroes. Pretty sure heroes don't have to work at convenience stores." Tsubaki sighed.

"Yeah, I get that." Sachiko said. "At least final exams are over and done with. That's at least some reprieve."

"Yeah… You know, I kind of envy you guys." Tsubaki said.

"Envy? Where did all of this come from?" Sachiko asked.

"Cause you all get all the excitement and leave me and the class living ordinary student lives. Well…almost." Tsubaki said.

"Yeah. Sorry about that, Tsubaki. I mean, after all that stuff in New York, things have been getting pretty crazy." Sachiko said.

"You know what I would ask for…something super interesting to…" Tsubaki said as the two of them soon stopped before they saw a small Cyndaquil standing across from them.

"Is that…a Cyndaquil? What is it doing here?" Sachiko asked.

Tsubaki however was silent as she couldn't take her eyes off the small creature that stood before her. The Cyndaquil then turned its back and started to run off as Tsubaki was quick to chase after it.

"H-hey, Tsubaki, where are you going?" Sachiko asked.

"I'm going to capture my destiny!" Tsubaki called out as the Cyndaquil and her ran across the moving traffic.

"Oh my lord… She's going to get herself killed." Sachiko said. "Get back here!"

Tsubaki however was a lot faster than Sachiko as she continued to chase the Cyndaquil till she reached an alley. "Ha! Game…over?" she said finding the alleyway empty except for a red plate. "Hm? What's this doing here?" she pondered curiously before looking at the inscription. "The powers of Plates are shared among Pokémon." she read.

Sachiko ran towards the alley just as a glow came from it. By the time she looked down it, the alleyway was empty with no signs of life or activity.

"Hmm… I could've sworn I saw her go this way." Sachiko said. "This just keeps getting weirder and weirder." she said. "Now that I think about it…Ayase suddenly stopped showing up after the finals were done. Why do I get the feeling this is more than just a coincidence?"

"There is no need to be alarmed…your friend is safe…" a voice echoed in her mind.

"Wha? Who-who said that?" Sachiko asked, looking around.

"I am a being in a space far beyond the physical world. I am simply gathering up the chosen who will seek out all Pokemon…" it spoke.

"Chosen? Wait, does that mean you called in Ayase, too?" Sachiko asked.

"The one you called Ayase Kuroda was selected long ago as a Psychic Master. After finding my plate after they all scattered from where you call Fighter's Arena…" it said.

"Wait… That attack that Jexi did against Kirby. It all makes sense now." Sachiko said.

"Indeed. He was used as the cause since his aura is very similar to the one I used to call my friend ages ago. He unleashed his full power, creating 18 plates." it said.

"18? But…we only saw 17." Sachiko said.

"Yes…the last plate, the one symbolizing the Normal Type, is in a hidden place and will find its chosen after all the others have been found." it said.

"But still… An aura similar to the one you used to call your friend? That's quite the coincidence." Sachiko said. "Because if that's true, that would make you…" she said.

"Yes…you've realized it. I am Arceus." it said.

"THE Arceus? The supposed creator god of all Pokemon?" Sachiko asked.

"Yes. While I did create multiple Pokemon worlds, it was you humans who referred to me as a god." Arceus said.

"Still, though… I wouldn't have believed it if I wasn't talking to you right now." Sachiko said.

"Indeed. Now…I'd like to ask you keep our conversation to yourself for the time being. Six chosen need to be found before I find the last one." Arceus said.

"I understand. We've got a lot on our plates as it is. I can't allow this discovery to deter everyone's focus." Sachiko said.

"Ah yes. Your little sports competition. I understand. However, if I could offer some words of wisdom…it would be this. Once these games are over…go to Sinnoh." Arceus spoke.

"Sinnoh, got it." Sachiko said.

"I will take my leave now. But you will find your answers to where your friends have gone by looking into its past. Be it in Sinnoh…or Hisui…' Arceus spoke before its voice seemed to fade from her mind.

"Hisui? Hmm… I wonder." Sachiko said. "But he said that Tsubaki and Ayase are unharmed, so I guess there's no use worrying about that now."

The idol soon appeared as the symbol for flame was lit up.

The Fire Master…has been found…