"Ar...ceus?"
Naoki froze, stunned by the presence before him.
This wasn't the avatar or clone of Arceus he had encountered during the battle. This was the true Arceus, the original, divine being who existed beyond all worlds, a creator god who had never been defeated.
In recorded history, Arceus had only appeared once, centuries ago. Since then, there had been no sign of Him.
Wait a second. Shouldn't Arceus exist beyond the fabric of all universes? What was He doing here, at his humble little ranch?
As if reading his thoughts, which in truth He had, Arceus watched Naoki silently. There was no need for speech. As an all-knowing, all-seeing god, He understood the questions in Naoki's heart.
"I have come here for one purpose," Arceus said calmly.
Naoki blinked. "What purpose?"
Arceus turned slightly. His gaze drifted toward the expedition team guild at the base of the World Tree. For just a moment, His expression carried a trace of wonder.
"I have created many worlds. Some with only humans. Some with only Pokémon. And others where both exist together."
"In the worlds of Pokémon alone, I have seen civilizations form. Pokémon gathering together, supporting each other, creating communities. They call these places expedition guilds."
"But in worlds where humans and Pokémon coexist, that kind of independent Pokémon society has never emerged. Most Pokémon in those worlds rely on humans for food, shelter, travel, and battles."
"But now, something has appeared here that defies all of that. Something that should not have been possible in this world."
Arceus turned His gaze back to Naoki. His divine voice was soft but resonant.
"That is why I have come."
Naoki was startled. He furrowed his brow, the unease creeping into his voice.
"Are you here to destroy the World Tree?"
"No," Arceus replied with a gentle shake of His head. "What you and your Pokémon have built is a new possibility. A union based on trust, not dependence. For that, I wish to give you something."
Naoki finally let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"You want to give me something?" he repeated, still trying to keep up.
But Arceus did not answer immediately.
The world around Naoki suddenly began to shimmer.
In a blink, the World Tree, the ranch, the guild, and everything else disappeared.
He now stood in a place vast and surreal, filled with swirling cosmic light and endless depth. It was a space unlike anything he had seen, something between a dream and reality.
Before he could react, the scene transformed again.
A radiant flash swept across the void. One by one, entire worlds unfolded like blooming flowers, new realms birthing into existence across an infinite horizon.
Then, Arceus spoke once more. His voice echoed through the stars.
"I have created many worlds, as you can now see. But not all of them are peaceful like the one you call home."
"Many are on the verge of collapse. Worlds where Pokémon suffer and face extinction.
The vision shimmered, and Naoki saw a planet filled with Pokémon. It was a world without humans, only Pokémon lived there.
In one corner of that world, a rescue team made entirely of Pokémon was going about their daily routines. They explored wild zones, gathered resources, and supported each other like a true family.
But high above, in the void of space, a colossal meteor was hurtling toward the planet at terrifying speed.
Naoki's heart skipped a beat.
He instantly understood what Arceus was trying to show him.
This wasn't just any vision. It was about the Hero Expedition Team.
As if sensing his realization, Arceus calmly continued speaking.
"I have watched you for a long time, even across countless parallel worlds. But only you, only this version of you, is different."
"Only you were able to nurture this tree. Let it be known from now on as the World Tree."
"You met your Pokémon through fate. And through that bond, something truly incredible has grown. Even I, the one who created this world, cannot help but be amazed."
Arceus turned to him, his golden light warm and radiant.
"Now, I shall help you complete your final wish. It is time to formally establish the Great Hero Expedition Team."
With a gentle pulse of his divine power, Arceus transported Naoki back to the summit of the World Tree.
Suddenly, the fountain that once stood at the heart of the expedition guild vanished. In its place rose a massive, ornate gate swirling with cosmic energy, a portal glowing with symbols of time and space.
Naoki could only stare in awe.
"What... is this?" he asked.
Arceus spoke with reverence.
"This is the Gate of Time and Space, my creation. It connects to every universe that exists. In your world's terms, you may call what lies beyond a mystery dungeon. Your expedition team Pokémon may enter it to explore, assist Pokémon from other dimensions, and save worlds that are on the verge of collapse."
"Naoki, this is why I have come. I ask you, and the kindhearted Pokémon who trust you, to travel to these distant worlds. Help those in need. Protect what must be protected."
Naoki blinked, caught off guard.
Arceus was asking him, recruiting him, to lead an interdimensional rescue team?
He didn't know how to respond.
This was the kind of thing he used to daydream about: a mysterious maze at the top of the World Tree, a gateway to infinite adventures, where Pokémon could roam, find treasure, and make the world a better place.
But now that it was real, he hesitated.
This time-space gate connected all universes. Not just peaceful ones. It could link to worlds with Crimson, Green, or even Team Rainbow Rocket.
The idea sent a chill down his spine. Crimson and Green, he could handle. But if they encountered Team Rainbow Rocket...
It could be dangerous, even fatal.
Arceus saw the fear in his heart.
"You need not worry," He said softly. "This gate can only be crossed by those who are kind, noble, and who love Pokémon with all their hearts. Darkness cannot pass through."
Even so, Naoki felt uneasy. What if the Pokémon he sent into these other worlds were hurt?
He looked at Arceus seriously and asked, "Can I say no?"
There was no anger in Arceus' expression.
He simply gazed into Naoki's eyes. And then, without a word, the scenery shifted again.
Naoki was shown one planet after another. Worlds on fire. Worlds trembling in ruin. Worlds silenced in ice.
He saw the meteor crash. A massive eruption. Mushroom clouds rising as firestorms and earthquakes devoured the land.
He saw terrified Pokémon crying for help.
And amid the noise, two voices rang out clearly.
"Meowth!"
"Pika!"
Naoki turned around and noticed something surprising.
At some point, the Pokémon living on the World Tree had all woken up. They were now gathered behind him, quietly watching the vision Arceus had projected, their faces filled with emotion.
"Pika..." (How sad...) Pikachu murmured.
"Mee!" (They're... gone? That's terrifying!) whimpered Alcremie.
"Mee?" (That Pokémon said... if we go and help them, they'll be okay?) asked the little Skiddo raised by Gogoat.
Hearing this, the tatsugiris perked up and responded in unison: "Tatsu!" (Then we should help them! Maybe we can even invite them to join the guild!)
Arceus turned to face the crowd. "Do you wish to help those Pokémon?"
Naoki's expression twitched. Internally, he thought, 'What a sly divine llama... trying to win them over so easily!'
The Pokémon hesitated for a moment. Their eyes drifted toward the World Tree's expedition guild. They recalled what Naoki had once told them.
The goal of the expedition team… is to help Pokémon in need.
Remembering that, a few Pokémon stepped forward with determination.
"Awoo!" howled Dragonite confidently.
One by one, more Pokémon followed.
They all turned to look at Naoki, their eyes sparkling with resolve, as if saying, We'll help them too. Just like Mew and Teddiursa did before us.
Naoki was speechless.
Things had developed to this point. He could no longer stop them.
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"I have only one condition."
Arceus inclined his head. "Name it. I will honor it."
Naoki's voice was firm. "You must guarantee everyone's safety."
Arceus thought for a moment. Then, recalling some of the human world's technological advancements, he nodded.
"I will grant you Arceus Teleportation Bracelets. As long as a Pokémon wears one, it will activate in any life-threatening situation and teleport the wearer back to the guild immediately."
Naoki blinked in surprise. "Wait… that's possible?"
It sounded exactly like the emergency retreat feature from the games.
Arceus nodded again. "I am the God of Creation. To you, I am an omniscient and omnipotent being."
As he spoke, a glowing sphere of golden light floated out from Arceus' chest and drifted toward Naoki.
Naoki peered at it closely.
It was an elegant white device, inlaid with a pattern resembling Arceus' thousand-ring design.
An Arceus Phone?!
Naoki recognized it instantly. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, this was the same phone Arceus had gifted to Rei or Akari.
"In addition," Arceus continued, "this is an Arceus Phone, a tool I created. With it, you can monitor each Pokémon's status during an expedition. If any are in danger, you'll be alerted immediately. Then, you may either go to their aid yourself or send someone else to help."
Naoki stared at the divine llama silently.
Arceus really had thought of everything.
He took the Arceus Phone in his hand. The moment its screen lit up, several familiar features greeted him; it resembled a cross between a Pokédex and a guild roster.
Arceus had already registered every Pokémon from the World Tree into the phone. Mewtwo, kyogre, and even Groudon were listed.
Naoki tapped on Mewtwo's icon, and a detailed info card popped up:
[Pokémon: Mewtwo]
Height: 2.0 m
Weight: 122.0 kg
Assigned Task: None
Current Location: World Tree
Condition: Healthy
Beneath it was a career log, not unlike a résumé:
[League Calendar, July 5, Year 201] Mewtwo observed a being claiming to be Arceus.
"It seems you've already figured out how to use it," Arceus said. "Now go. Go and help the Pokémon and the worlds that need you."
As soon as the words left His mouth, a radiant golden light flared around Arceus.
Moments later, His divine figure vanished completely.
He had departed from the World Tree and from this world.
Naoki stood in stunned silence, staring at the Arceus Phone in his hand. For a brief moment, it all felt surreal, like a dream.
Around him, the Pokémon of the World Tree looked down at the bracelets that had suddenly appeared on their limbs or bodies.
Beside them, a mound of spare bracelets glowed softly, clearly meant for future new members. Arceus had already planned for what was to come.
...
Bonus Chapter