As Pokémon World Champion Ash Ketchum found himself standing in a deserted wasteland, the air crackled with an eerie energy, and the sky darkened ominously. Confusion clouded his mind as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. It felt as though he had been summoned to this mysterious place, yet the purpose remained shrouded in mystery.

"Where am I?" Ash's voice echoed, his words swallowed by the vast emptiness around him. Panic flickered in his chest as he realized Pikachu was nowhere to be seen. "Pikachu! Where are you?"

Just as despair threatened to overwhelm him, a sudden movement caught Ash's attention. In the distance, a small, pink puffball bounced up and down, its desperate, worried demeanor in stark contrast to the desolation of the desert wasteland. Ash squinted, trying to discern what creature it could be.

"What in the world is that?" Ash muttered to himself, his curiosity piqued despite his apprehension. With cautious steps, he approached the bouncing figure.

"Hey there, little guy," he called out. "What are you doing here?"

The puffball paused, turning to face Ash with big, round eyes. It let out a series of high-pitched chirps, but Ash couldn't understand a word it was saying.

"Sorry, I don't speak... whatever language you're speaking," Ash said sheepishly.

But as he stared into the puffball's eyes, something strange happened. Images began to flash before Ash's eyes, memories that weren't his own. He saw a world consumed by darkness, a great evil sweeping across the land and imprisoning its inhabitants.

Galeem.

The name echoed in Ash's mind, sending a shiver down his spine. He had never heard tales of Galeem's rampage, but he never imagined it was real.

And then, amidst the chaos, he saw a lone familiar pink blob trying to escape desperately on a flying star from Galeem's assault on the world known as the World of Light.

Kirby.

Realization dawned on Ash as he finally understood the gravity of the situation. This puffball wasn't just a pink blob creature; it was the sole survivor of Galeem's onslaught, the one hope left for the world.

"I... I know who you are," Ash said, his voice trembling with awe. "You're Kirby, aren't you? The one who escaped Galeem's attack."

Kirby nodded solemnly, as if confirming Ash's words.

A sudden frown etched its way onto Ash's lips, his brows knitting together in concern. If this Galeem had managed to ensnare all the greatest fighters in Super Smash Bros, what hope did a lone Pokémon Trainer like himself have against such overwhelming odds? He cast a glance at Kirby, his expression heavy with doubt. "I wish I could help you, Kirby, but I don't think I stand a chance against Galeem, especially if all your friends couldn't."

Kirby's cheerful demeanor faltered, its eyes dimming with disappointment.

Just then, a voice, soft yet resolute, resonated within Ash's mind, cutting through the veil of uncertainty. "Do not underestimate yourself, Ash Ketchum. Within you lies a dormant power, waiting to be unleashed."

Startled, Ash spun around, his gaze locking onto a radiant figure standing before him. Ethereal and shimmering, it was Palutena, or at least a semblance of her spirit, reaching out from the beyond.

"Who... who are you?" Ash stammered, his voice tinged with awe and disbelief.

The spirit offered a warm smile, her presence imbued with an otherworldly grace. "I am Palutena," she replied, her voice a soothing melody in the tumult of Ash's thoughts. "Though I may exist now only as a fragment of my former self, I sense within you a latent potential, a power waiting to be awakened."

Ash's heart quickened, a surge of hope mingling with the tendrils of uncertainty that had clouded his mind. Could it be true? Could he truly possess the strength to confront Galeem and thwart the impending doom looming over the world?

As he glanced at Kirby, who gave him a determined nod, Ash found reassurance in Palutena's words. "You think so too?" he asked, seeking confirmation. Another nod followed, solidifying his resolve. After pondering over the spirit's words, Ash heaved a sigh and made up his mind. "Alright, I'll do it. Whatever it takes to stop Galeem and save your friends."

Palutena's spirit smiled warmly. "You have a kind heart, Ash. No wonder you were chosen to save us," she said, earning a confused stare from Ash.

"Chosen?" Ash queried, his brow furrowing in bewilderment.

But the goddess spirit quickly dismissed the thought. "No need to worry about the small details," she reassured him before giving him an instruction. "Okay, Ash, just gently place your hand on my chest."

Ash's eyes widened at the unexpected request, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "W-What?" he stammered, taking a few steps back.

"Don't worry, Ash. It's nothing inappropriate. Plus, I won't feel a thing," Palutena's spirit teased with a soft chuckle.

"O-Okay..." Ash hesitated before extending his hand and gently placing it on the spirit's chest.

"Then take a deep breath and close your eyes," she instructed.

Following her directions, Ash took a deep breath before slowly closing his eyes. Soon, Palutena's entire being began to emit a strong glow, enveloping Ash. Kirby watched in awe as the fusion began to happen. Ash's black hair extended to his shoulders as a new outfit began to take form. When the intense light subsided, the spirit was gone, and Ash was now donning black pants and a black sleeveless long shirt accented with white boots and white stripes respectively. The arms had black detached long sleeves with golden ornaments at the top, as well as a golden collar piece around the neck. The white rope-like belt had a metal loop at the back for the purpose of tying the scabbard of a sword.

Once Ash reopened his eyes and began surveying his new look, he could feel a new surge of power coursing through his veins. "This is amazing," he said quietly in awe. "And not a bad look. It feels really comfy."

He admired the new black outfit that Palutena had blessed him with. "Although..." As he lifted one of his long bangs, he frowned slightly. It made him look a bit feminine, but he understood that it was a consequence of fusing with a female goddess spirit. He tended to inherit some feminine features in the process. Additionally, he noticed that he looked a bit older now, at least a few years older than his original form. Guess that was part of the fusion process too.

Needing a second opinion, Ash glanced back at his new friend. "What do you think, Kirby? How do I look?" Kirby gave the new and improved Ash a long stare until it echoed a cheerful "Hi" with a cheerful tone, indicating its approval. Ash chuckled in response, a small sweatdrop forming on his brow, taking the response as a yes.

"Alright. Time for our new adventure. Are you ready, Kirby?" Ash asked, to which he received a firm nod.