Chapter 15 — A World Without a Crisis
Three days later…
Dimensional Island was peaceful.
Completely peaceful.
Suspiciously peaceful.
Jin sat on the mansion's balcony.
A cup of coffee rested beside him.
He looked across the island.
Pokémon were everywhere.
Pikachu were playing near the gardens.
Bulbasaur chased each other between flowers.
A group of Eevee were sleeping beneath a tree.
Dragonite carried packages between villages.
Lucario were training near the Battle Frontier.
The Mega Evolution Chamber was operating normally.
The Dynamax Stadium had become a popular attraction.
The Tera Crystal Cavern had become a tourist destination for Pokémon.
And the Z-Power Shrine had somehow become a place where Pokémon went to meditate.
Jin took a sip of coffee.
"This…"
He looked at the peaceful scenery.
"…is nice."
Someone sat down beside him.
Ash.
Ash looked exhausted.
Jin glanced at him.
"Didn't you leave?"
"I did."
"Then why are you back?"
Ash smiled.
"I wanted breakfast."
Jin stared at him.
"You traveled across dimensions…"
"Yeah."
"And came back…"
"Yeah."
"For breakfast?"
Ash nodded.
"Your island has better food."
Jin sighed.
"Fair."
Pikachu sat beside Ash.
Large Pikachu approached carrying a plate.
"Pika."
[Breakfast.]
Ash's eyes lit up.
"Thanks!"
Jin looked at Pikachu.
"You're spoiling him."
"Pika."
[He needs food.]
Ash nodded seriously.
"Exactly."
Jin laughed.
Saying Goodbye
Later that afternoon, the trainers gathered near the island's harbor.
The temporary dimensional gate to the Pokémon world was stable.
Ash stood with Pikachu.
Serena stood beside Sylveon.
Clemont checked his equipment.
Bonnie held onto his arm.
Misty and Brock were preparing to leave.
The Champions were also departing.
Cynthia approached Jin first.
"This was quite an experience."
Jin smiled.
"That's one way to describe it."
Cynthia looked toward the island.
"You've built something remarkable here."
Jin shook his head.
"We built it."
He looked toward the Pokémon.
"They're the ones keeping this place alive."
Cynthia nodded.
"Perhaps we'll meet again."
"You know you can come back."
Cynthia smiled.
"I'll remember that."
Steven approached next.
He handed Jin a small device.
"Dimensional communication receiver."
Jin examined it.
"What does it do?"
"If your island ever returns near Hoenn, it will automatically notify us."
Jin smiled.
"Thanks."
Leon walked over.
"Don't forget our rematch."
Jin blinked.
"Rematch?"
Leon grinned.
"Your island's battle facility."
Jin laughed.
"You haven't even beaten the first challenge."
Leon placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
"That was tactical reconnaissance."
Cynthia laughed.
Steven shook his head.
"You lost."
Leon looked offended.
"I was studying the opponent."
Jin smiled.
"Sure."
Ash approached last.
He looked toward the ocean.
"You're leaving soon, right?"
Jin nodded.
"Yeah."
"Where?"
Jin looked toward the horizon.
"Another world."
Ash's eyes lit up.
"Another adventure?"
"Probably."
Ash grinned.
"Then don't forget to come back."
Jin smiled.
"I won't."
Ash held out his fist.
Jin bumped it.
"See you again."
"See you."
Pikachu raised a paw.
"Pika pika!"
Large Pikachu raised hers.
"Pika!"
Ash's Pikachu smiled.
For a moment, the two Pikachu simply stared at each other.
Then—
Pika!
Pika!
They bumped paws.
Jin smiled.
It wasn't a farewell.
It was simply—
See you later.