Ash didn't recall falling asleep. He knew that he had turned in for the night. He knew that he'd had trouble falling asleep, at least at first. This wasn't uncommon, and sometimes Ash just couldn't sleep at all. But he had, after counting mareep up until 68, eventually begun to drift off. That wasn't the problem. The problem was that he had no memory past that point up until the colossal white being appeared before him. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that he appeared before it. After all, it seemed to be completely at home on the colossal, opaque disc that Ash found himself standing upon, surrounded by naught but darkness and stars. He looked up at the creature and it gazed at him. Ash didn't have the slightest idea what was going on or how he got here, but he found himself wide awake. Every nerve burned, every hair stood on end, and every muscle screamed danger. This creature, this being could end him without a single thought. Ash knew that much. He was far too experienced not to realize the power that the four legged creature towering before him possessed, and yet… he found that he wasn't afraid.

"Why am I here?" he asked, hoping to distract himself from the all knowing gaze that it leveled at him. There was no answer, and Ash was very close to giving up and writing the whole thing off as a vivid nightmare when he heard a voice in his head. "I am the one that the humans call Arceus." The voice seemed to boom forth from nowhere and everywhere all at once, and it shook Ash to his very core. Everything he was, is and will be resounded at the touch of that voice. "And you are here because I have chosen you. There is a disaster ahead. This disaster will bring about the end of all things. Space, time, gravity, and even reality itself will be undone completely. All I have wrought, all that is good in your world, will vanish forever." Ash's eyes widened and his teeth clenched. Had he not been involved in every single major event concerning a legendary in the last decade? Why was it that whenever something went wrong fate called upon him?! "Why me?", he asked, anger beating out fear. "Because only you are capable of stopping the one who will cause this. You, out of all the humans within your reality, have the greatest potential. It was your love for others and your great determination that brought you to great hights. It was also these things that failed you at your darkest hour. You must find them again: you must find hope and resolution. These things will guide you to true strength. If you do not, all that you love now and all that you have loved will end." the voice boomed.

Ash signed, resignation clear upon his face. If this was really Arceus, then everything that it had said was true and disaster would be coming soon. Plus, there was no reason to doubt the veracity of what he was experiencing. He could feel the chill in the air and see the slight glow that pervaded the space around the being. Plus, he had been at the very least loosely surrounded by his pokemon when he fell asleep. In order to mess with his mind, someone would have to get through his pokemon to his body, and that was something that he didn't believe anyone could do.

"What must I do? What do you require of me?" he inquired, determination rising to steel his nerve. Arceus almost nodded, seemingly satisfied, before replying: "You believe that your journey has come to and end. Now you must begin again. Journey to every region, beginning with the Alola and Kanto regions, and attain once more every badge. Defeat all who stand in your way. Learn, grow, improve. Become champion of every region, and only when you have accomplished thus, may you challenge the world champion. Until you do this, you will not succeed."

Ash's eyebrow twitched in agitation. "I thought there was going to be a disaster?" he inquired. "More will be revealed along the way. Fear not; you shall not be alone. I will assign a powerful ally to ensure your protection, as well as your success. Worry not. This ally wishes for the downfall of the Trespasser as well." it replied. Ash groaned. "Thanks, but I don't exactly need a babysitter. I have my pokemon and…" he trailed off, realization dawning on his face. "How will I bring all my pokemon with me? I couldn't possibly carry that many pokeballs on me, and traveling between regions will be tough." he asked. If he couldn't bring all his pokemon, he would have to choose some. And he didn't want to have to do that. "When you wake you will find that I have provided for this, as well as other needs that you might have. Now you must go. Day breaks and your journey begins!"

Ash sat up, groggily wishing he could sink into the comforting embrace of sleep forever. He rubbed his eyes and yawned, noticing that all his pokemon were not in the cave, which was odd. He rose from his sleeping bag, brushing his hair and teeth, before changing. As he went to put on his gloves, however, he found that they were missing. Ash groaned, thinking that one of his pokemon (probably Zoey) had hidden his gloves in order to prank him. That's it; she's running laps today.

As he made to leave the cave, however, he noticed something just outside. There was a pair of gloves very similar to his own, but there was something very different about them as well. The right glove was connected at the bottom to a strange band, one that glittered and shown as if studded with jewels. There was a purple shine about this glove. The left glove looked like it had an xtransceiver attached to it. They sat upon a piece of paper that Ash realized was a note.

'These are the Arc Gloves. The left is equipped with a wishing star, and will allow you to dynamax or gigantamax pokemon at any time. It is also equipped with an origin keystone. This keystone will allow you to mega evolve any pokemon, so long as they hold the appropriate mega stone. Next is the origin z-ring. Just as with the others, this z-ring will allow you to perform any z-move at will. The right is equipped with a universal pokedex and an xtransceiver capable of projecting images mid air and even upon flat surfaces. It is equipped with a 3D world map, one that contains knowledge of tunnels, caves, and other hidden passageways as well. This glove is compatible with rotomdex. The final function of the right glove is a pokeball link. Take on your journey the luxury ball that I have placed within your bag. It will link all your pokemon to the luxury ball, allowing it's sole use in capture and battle.'

Ash looked down at the glove, stunned. Sure, he had been convinced last night that his vision had been real, but once he woke up he presumed it was just a dream. Why would the God of Creation and ruler over all realities single out him of all people to save the universe? Maybe he had been heroic in the past, but now he had changed. Now all he cared about was keeping his pokemon safe, and training them to be strong. Regardless, he had a job to do, and he would be lying if he said that he didn't relish the thought of taking on the leagues once more. As he put on his gloves a strange glimmer shinned in his eyes. He was ready to take on the world. And this time? He would do it. He would become a pokemon master.