The orb in Ash's hand was about half the size of an egg.
It shone brilliantly, as though it contained the very life essence of Arceus itself.
Clutching the relic tightly, Ash closed his fist and crushed it with all his strength.
Crack!
The relic shattered instantly.
An invisible wave pulsed outward, spreading through everything around him, traveling through space and matter alike.
Somewhere in another dimension…
In the midst of absolute darkness, a half-centaur-like Pokémon lay in deep slumber.
That invisible ripple of energy drifted toward it, and the instant it touched, the being absorbed it into its body.
Slowly, its closed eyes opened.
From dull lifelessness, its body began to radiate with divine golden light—illuminating the boundless void.
"…It's Ash who is calling me."
The ethereal voice resonated softly, and in the next moment, the figure vanished.
Back in the Kalos region—and not just Kalos.
In Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova—across the entire Pokémon world, everyone was watching.
All of humanity was witnessing firsthand the destructive might of Legendary Pokémon.
The clash of their powers had birthed a space-time black hole, capable of consuming everything in existence.
Anything it touched vanished forever.
"I just hope we can survive this again. I swear… I'll change. I'll protect the environment, I'll never do this again."
"I won't be a poacher anymore! Living is the greatest gift. If I get through this, I'll turn myself in and start over. I'll live honestly from now on!"
"Even Champions couldn't stop it… the only one left is that boy who defeated Team Rainbow Rocket. He has so many Legendary partners—he's our best hope!"
"Yes… let's all pray!"
Prayers—endless prayers—rose from people everywhere.
The collective will and desperate wishes of countless lives filled the world, surging toward the heavens.
At this moment, Zygarde had already taken on its 100% Complete Form. It too was unleashing everything it had, desperately trying to stop the black hole's spread.
But it was no use.
Billions of eyes turned in unison, all focusing on one person—Ash.
"Brat, we've tried for years to steal your Pikachu and always failed. But we know… you'll find a way."
"I don't wanna die, nya! Ash, do something!"
"Waaaaah! Jessie! Meowth! I don't want to leave you! I don't want to lose my Pokémon either!"
Team Rocket cried as they continued filming Ash with their camera.
This wasn't just a battle anymore. It was a world-shattering calamity.
Against such a disaster, humans, Pokémon, even the mightiest of Legendaries, were powerless.
The skies roared with thunder.
It was as if the heavens themselves raged in fury.
Dark clouds swelled endlessly, pressing down on people's hearts.
"…It should be here soon… it has to be…"
Ash stood firm, waiting.
Waiting for Arceus.
Suddenly…
Through the heavy storm clouds, a sliver of golden light appeared.
The light grew stronger, brighter.
Golden brilliance poured across the skies, dispelling the black storm and lifting the crushing weight from every soul's heart.
Finally, the radiance fell upon the dark, swirling void of the black hole.
The unstoppable devourer of all creation… faltered.
As though stripped of its power, the vortex suddenly weakened, shrinking.
"What's going on? It's… it's not swallowing anymore?"
"The black hole—it stopped closing in!"
"It's that golden light!"
Even the Legendary Pokémon stared in awe at the light.
Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina in particular watched with reverence.
The storm clouds scattered completely.
From the skies, beams of golden light poured down like sacred pillars.
And within that blinding radiance, descending upon the world, was the half-centaur Pokémon, striding across the sky itself.
Arceus had come.
Summoned by the relic Ash had crushed, it had answered the call.
"Ash… I am here."
The words echoed directly into every heart.
All around the world, people trembled in awe.
This boy… this Ash… had summoned the Creator, the Original One, the god of all Pokémon—Arceus!
Cynthia and Caitlin of Sinnoh smiled softly, relief evident in their expressions as they watched the broadcast.
If there was one person who had always believed in Ash, it was her.
"I feel the prayers of countless lives," Arceus' voice rang out. "Look around you. Is this truly the world you desire?"
With its divine presence, the black hole's devouring stopped completely.
The god gazed down upon the scarred, broken land.
Collapsed skyscrapers, Pokémon lying wounded everywhere.
Despair. Fear. Hopelessness.
"I pray that all living beings learn from this… And Hoopa—may you too understand the true meaning of punishment."
With those words, Arceus lifted its forelegs slightly.
In an instant, the golden brilliance surged higher than ever, flooding the entire world.
Light bathed the earth.
Destruction was undone.
What had been swallowed by the black hole—humans, Pokémon, everything—was restored.
Those who had vanished reappeared.
Life returned.
"You seven… return to where you came from. Ash—go to Mew. The Tree of Beginning is in danger. My power is greatly weakened. I must return to slumber. Protect the Tree for me."
Arceus' gaze fell upon the seven ancient Legendary Pokémon Hoopa had summoned, sending them back to their rightful places.
Then, with a final glance toward Ash, it left him one last task.
Its radiant figure slowly faded, walking back into the endless skies…