Chapter 19 — The Island Between Stars
The stars were different.
Jin had seen stars before.
From his original world.
From the Pokémon World.
From the countless dimensional visions shown to him by the Administrator system.
But these stars felt different.
They were not simply distant points of light.
They seemed alive.
Some burned with colors Jin had never seen before. Others were surrounded by enormous rings of debris, while several distant celestial objects appeared to distort the space around them.
Dimensional Island floated silently through the void.
The ocean surrounding it had not disappeared.
Instead, the entire island was enclosed within a massive dimensional field.
From the outside, it looked like an enormous floating sphere of water, land, trees, buildings, and Pokémon suspended in space.
Inside the dimensional field, however, everything felt almost normal.
There was gravity.
There was air.
There was sunlight.
There was even a gentle breeze.
Jin stood on the mansion's highest balcony.
His hands rested against the railing.
Below him, thousands of Pokémon were staring at the strange sky.
Some were fascinated.
Some were frightened.
Others simply went back to whatever they had been doing.
A group of Pidgey flew through the artificial atmosphere.
A Dragonite hovered near the edge of the island.
Several Psychic-type Pokémon were attempting to understand why the stars looked so close.
Jin smiled.
"This is definitely going to take some getting used to."
Large Pikachu sat beside him.
"Pika."
[It's strange.]
Jin nodded.
"Very."
Aster approached from behind.
He carried a tablet displaying the dimensional readings.
"We've completed the first scan."
Jin turned.
"And?"
Aster gave him a look.
"That depends on how much bad news you want."
Jin sighed.
"Give me the manageable version."
Aster looked at the tablet.
"We're not in ordinary space."
"I figured."
"We're inside a universe where the laws governing power are fundamentally different from the Pokémon World."
Jin nodded.
"Also expected."
Aster continued.
"There are beings here capable of influencing entire civilizations without directly interacting with them."
Jin paused.
"…Okay."
Aster looked at him.
"And some of them may be capable of influencing reality itself."
Jin slowly turned back toward the stars.
"Right."
Large Pikachu sighed.
"Pika."
[There goes the vacation.]
Jin laughed.
"Exactly."
The First Alert
A sharp chime echoed across the mansion.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
External object detected.
Distance: 14,872 kilometers.
Classification: Artificial structure.
Energy signature: Unknown.
Propulsion method: Non-dimensional.
Current trajectory:
APPROACHING DIMENSIONAL ISLAND
Jin's expression became serious.
"Show me."
The system projected a holographic image above the balcony.
A long silver train appeared.
It was traveling through space as if the vacuum were nothing more than an ordinary railway.
Large Pikachu stared.
"Pika?"
[Train?]
Jin nodded.
"Apparently."
Aster adjusted his glasses.
"That's impossible."
Jin looked at him.
"You built a dimensional island."
"Yes."
"So…"
Aster sighed.
"Fair point."
The system expanded the image.
[IDENTIFICATION ATTEMPT]
Name: Astral Express
Status: Active
Affiliation: Astral Express Family
Current Route: Unknown
Primary Function: Interstellar travel
Threat Assessment:
LOW
Recommendation:
Observe.
Jin smiled.
"Low threat."
Aster immediately shook his head.
"Don't become careless."
"I won't."
Jin looked toward the enormous train.
"But they're probably the first people we should talk to."
Large Pikachu stood.
"Pika."
[I'll come with you.]
Jin nodded.
"Of course."
Aster smiled.
"I'm coming too."
Astra appeared from the mansion entrance.
"So am I."
Jin looked at her.
"Why?"
Astra folded her arms.
"Because you're incapable of meeting strangers without accidentally discovering a new cosmic crisis."
Jin opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
"…Fair."
The Astral Express
Inside the train, the atmosphere was considerably less peaceful.
March 7th stood against one of the windows.
Her eyes were wide.
"It's getting closer!"
The Trailblazer walked beside her.
"Definitely an island."
Dan Heng stared at the monitor.
"An island shouldn't be capable of traveling through space."
Himeko calmly examined the readings.
"Normally, no."
Welt looked at the data.
"It's surrounded by an artificial dimensional field."
March turned.
"Dimensional?"
"Yes."
"Like a wormhole?"
"More complicated."
The Trailblazer looked through the window.
"Does it have people?"
Himeko nodded.
"Life signatures."
March leaned closer.
"Wait."
She pointed.
"Are those…"
The monitor zoomed in.
A flock of colorful bird-like creatures flew across the island.
March blinked.
"Birds?"
Dan Heng frowned.
"Those aren't any species I've encountered."
The Trailblazer looked at another screen.
"There's also a large number of creatures with unusual energy signatures."
Welt became thoughtful.
"Perhaps they're native to the island."
Himeko smiled.
"Then I suppose we should introduce ourselves."
March's eyes sparkled.
"Can we visit?"
Himeko laughed.
"I was going to suggest that."
Dan Heng looked toward the unknown island.
"We should remain cautious."
The Trailblazer nodded.
"Of course."
March smiled.
"Don't worry."
She grabbed her camera.
"I'll document everything."
First Contact
Dimensional Island's World Gate Observatory activated.
Jin stood at the center of the facility.
Astra stood beside him.
Aster operated the dimensional console.
Large Pikachu sat on Jin's shoulder.
The Astral Express slowly approached.
It did not stop.
Instead, it moved around the island once.
Scanning.
Studying.
Observing.
Jin looked at the system.
"Can they enter the dimensional field?"
[Yes.]
"Can we allow them?"
[Yes.]
"Any danger?"
[No immediate threat detected.]
Jin nodded.
"Open a safe corridor."
The dimensional barrier opened.
The Astral Express passed through.
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then—
WHOOM.
The train entered the island's atmosphere.
The massive silver train hovered over the central meadow.
Pokémon across the island stopped what they were doing.
A Pikachu dropped a berry.
A Squirtle stopped playing.
A Charizard lifted its head.
A group of Eevee stared.
A Dragonite flew upward.
Even the Guardian looked toward the train.
Jin walked outside.
The Astral Express doors opened.
March 7th stepped out first.
She immediately looked around.
Her eyes widened.
"Wow."
She lifted her camera.
"Wow!"
The Trailblazer stepped out behind her.
Dan Heng followed.
Then Himeko.
Welt came last.
March stared at the Pokémon.
One Eevee approached her.
"Eevee."
March slowly crouched.
"Hi."
Eevee tilted its head.
"Vee?"
March smiled.
"You're adorable!"
The Eevee jumped into her arms.
March nearly fell backward.
"Whoa!"
The Trailblazer laughed.
Dan Heng smiled faintly.
Himeko watched with amusement.
Welt adjusted his glasses.
"It seems we've been accepted."
March hugged Eevee.
"I've decided we're staying."
Dan Heng sighed.
"We haven't even introduced ourselves."
March looked at him.
"Details."
Meeting the Astral Express
Jin approached.
"Welcome to Dimensional Island."
Himeko stepped forward.
She smiled politely.
"Thank you for allowing us to enter."
"My name is Jin."
Himeko extended her hand.
"Himeko."
They shook hands.
"This is Welt."
Welt nodded.
"A pleasure."
"Dan Heng."
"Nice to meet you."
The Trailblazer looked at Jin.
"I am the Trailblazer."
March raised her hand.
"And I'm March 7th!"
Jin smiled.
"Nice to meet you."
March immediately pointed at Pikachu.
"And what's that?"
Large Pikachu stared at her.
"Pika."
March's eyes widened.
"IT TALKS!"
Jin laughed.
"Not exactly."
Pikachu gave Jin an annoyed look.
"Pika."
[Technically, I do.]
Jin translated.
"She says technically she does."
March's eyes became even wider.
"You understand her?"
"Yes."
"And she understands you?"
"Yes."
March stared at Pikachu.
Then at Jin.
Then back at Pikachu.
"That's amazing!"
Pikachu smiled proudly.
"Pika."
[Finally, someone appreciates me.]
Jin laughed.
The Pokémon World
Himeko looked around.
"This island is remarkable."
"It wasn't originally in space."
Jin explained.
"We came from another universe."
Welt immediately became more attentive.
"Another universe?"
Jin nodded.
"The Pokémon World."
March blinked.
"Pokémon?"
Jin pointed toward an approaching Pikachu.
"That's what we call these creatures."
March stared.
"Wait."
She slowly looked around.
"All of them are Pokémon?"
"Yes."
March's eyes practically sparkled.
She immediately raised her camera.
"Can I take pictures?"
Jin laughed.
"Of course."
March began taking photographs.
Click.
"Pikachu!"
Click.
"Eevee!"
Click.
"Dragonite!"
Click.
"Gardevoir!"
Click.
"Charizard!"
Click.
March suddenly stopped.
"Wait."
She looked toward the enormous Guardian.
"…What's that?"
The Guardian stared back.
Large Pikachu answered.
"Pika."
[Complicated.]
March lowered the camera.
"That's usually when things become interesting."
Jin sighed.
"You have no idea."
A Tour of Dimensional Island
Jin decided the best way to prevent misunderstandings was to show the Astral Express crew the island.
The first stop was the central village.
Pokémon lived together there peacefully.
Different species had built homes and small gathering areas.
Pikachu ran shops.
Machoke worked in construction.
Meowth managed several small businesses.
Indeedee assisted residents.
Chansey operated a medical center.
Audino helped.
March looked around in amazement.
"This is an entire civilization."
Jin nodded.
"It's grown over time."
"How many?"
"Approximately twelve thousand four hundred eighty-seven registered Pokémon."
March nearly dropped her camera.
"Twelve thousand?!"
"Approximately."
Welt looked impressed.
"That's larger than some settlements."
Dan Heng observed the Pokémon.
"They aren't merely wild animals."
"No."
Jin shook his head.
"They're people."
That statement made everyone quiet for a moment.
The Trailblazer looked toward a group of Pokémon laughing together.
"I understand."
The Battle Frontier
Next came the Battle Frontier.
The Astral Express crew entered just as several Pokémon were practicing.
A Lucario was battling a Metagross.
The match was intense.
March watched excitedly.
"Is this how Pokémon fight?"
"Usually."
Jin pointed toward the various facilities.
"We have battle arenas, training grounds, Mega Evolution facilities, a Dynamax Stadium, a Z-Power Shrine, and a Tera Crystal Cavern."
Dan Heng looked at him.
"All of those power systems exist here?"
"Yes."
Welt became thoughtful.
"That means this island is essentially a convergence point for multiple forms of energy."
Jin nodded.
"Exactly."
Welt looked impressed.
"That is highly unusual."
Jin smiled.
"That's one way to describe it."
The Four Powers
Jin demonstrated the island's four primary systems.
First—
A Lucario entered the Mega Evolution Chamber.
Its trainer raised a Key Stone.
The Mega Stone responded.
Light surrounded Lucario.
Mega Lucario.
March stared.
"That's beautiful!"
Next—
Ash's Pikachu appeared through the World One communication gate.
Ash had been visiting the island again.
He raised his Z-Ring.
"Pikachu!"
Lightning erupted.
10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt.
March's jaw dropped.
"That's incredible!"
Then—
Leon appeared through the gate.
Charizard expanded.
Gigantamax Charizard.
March nearly screamed.
"IT GETS BIGGER?!"
Leon laughed.
"That's the idea!"
Finally—
Serena's Sylveon appeared.
Crystalline energy surrounded it.
Terastallization.
The Trailblazer watched quietly.
"Four completely different systems."
Jin nodded.
"And they can coexist."
Welt looked toward him.
"Can they combine?"
Jin's expression became slightly uncomfortable.
"They can."
Aster immediately interrupted.
"We don't recommend it."
Everyone looked at him.
Aster continued.
"The last time we experimented with that…"
Jin coughed.
"We almost opened a hole in reality."
March slowly lowered her camera.
"Okay."
She nodded.
"Let's not do that."
A Quiet Conversation
Later that evening, Jin sat with Welt on the mansion balcony.
The stars stretched endlessly across the sky.
The Pokémon World was now far away.
But the return gate remained stable.
Welt looked at the stars.
"You've traveled quite far."
Jin nodded.
"Farther than I expected."
"Do you miss your original world?"
Jin thought about the question.
"Yes."
Then he smiled.
"But I have another home now."
Welt looked toward the Pokémon playing below.
"Dimensional Island."
"Yeah."
"And the Pokémon World?"
"Home too."
Welt nodded.
"You're fortunate."
Jin looked at him.
"How so?"
"To have somewhere to return to."
Jin smiled.
"Yeah."
He looked at the stars.
"That's why I'm not afraid of traveling anymore."
Welt smiled.
"Then perhaps this journey will be worthwhile."
The Return Route
That night, the system displayed an important update.
[WORLD ONE CONNECTION]
Pokémon World:
STABLE
Return Gate:
ACTIVE
Return coordinates:
Dimensional Island
Travel time:
Instantaneous
Restrictions:
None
Jin stared at the message.
He smiled.
"Good."
Large Pikachu stood beside him.
"Pika."
[Home is still there.]
Jin nodded.
"Always."
Aster appeared behind them.
"The island is ready for exploration."
Astra looked toward the stars.
"And perhaps we should establish diplomatic contact with this universe."
Jin smiled.
"Slowly."
Astra raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"Because the last time we met another universe…"
He remembered the Eraser.
The Null King.
The collapsing worlds.
The alternate Jin.
Jin sighed.
"…things got complicated."
Astra laughed.
"Fair."
Somewhere Beyond the Stars
Far away from Dimensional Island…
A strange object drifted through space.
It was small.
Almost invisible.
A faint golden light pulsed inside it.
Then—
A voice spoke.
"Dimensional energy…"
The object turned toward the island.
"Interesting."
A second voice answered.
"Should we investigate?"
The first voice laughed.
"Not yet."
The object disappeared.
Back on Dimensional Island, Jin suddenly looked toward the stars.
Large Pikachu noticed.
"Pika?"
[What is it?]
Jin shook his head.
"Nothing."
He smiled.
"For now."
The mansion lights slowly turned off.
The Pokémon settled down.
The Astral Express rested nearby.
The Guardian stood watch at the edge of the island.
Aster and Astra continued their research.
The dimensional echo of Jin quietly monitored the Administrator Core.
And Jin finally went to sleep.
For the first time since arriving in another world…
He wasn't worried about what would happen tomorrow.
Because tomorrow didn't need to be a battle.
Tomorrow could simply be—
another day.
And somewhere between the stars, Dimensional Island continued its journey.
Not running from its past.
Not searching for a home.
But carrying its home with it.