Chapter 9 — The Island Between Worlds
The first thing Jin learned about being an Administrator was simple.
It was not glamorous.
It was not mysterious.
And it certainly wasn't relaxing.
There was paperwork.
A lot of paperwork.
Jin stared at the enormous holographic display floating above the mansion's main table.
[DIMENSIONAL ISLAND DEVELOPMENT PROTOCOL]
Remaining preparation time: 71:42:18
Construction projects: 8
Pokémon assignments: 2,381
Resource requirements: 97
Unresolved dimensional anomalies: 14
Pending Administrator decisions: 63
Jin slowly lowered his head onto the table.
"...I fought an interdimensional monster yesterday."
The large Pikachu stood beside him.
"Pika."
[And today you have paperwork.]
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Pika pika."
[Very much.]
Jin lifted his head.
"Traitor."
The Pikachu laughed.
The Island's New Era
Outside the mansion, Dimensional Island had transformed.
The Pokémon were everywhere.
Machoke and Machamp carried construction materials.
Excadrill dug tunnels.
Magnemite and Magneton installed electrical systems.
Rotom flew between machines, repairing equipment.
Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, and Venusaur began preparing gardens around the new facilities.
Gardevoir and Alakazam were moving construction materials with Psychic power.
Dragonite carried supplies from the coastline.
Even the usually lazy Snorlax had been assigned to construction duty.
Jin watched from the mansion balcony.
"I can't believe they're doing all of this."
Astra stood beside him.
"They've been waiting seventeen years."
"For what?"
"For a reason to believe the island had a future."
Jin looked at her.
"You mean they were waiting for me?"
Astra nodded.
"Yes."
Jin became quiet.
Before he could respond, a familiar voice came from behind him.
"Jin!"
He turned.
Ash ran onto the balcony.
Pikachu was sitting on his shoulder.
Behind him were Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, Cynthia, Steven, Diantha, Leon, and several League personnel.
Jin sighed.
"What's happening now?"
Clemont held up a tablet.
"We've discovered something extremely important!"
Jin immediately became suspicious.
"How bad?"
"Potentially catastrophic."
"Of course."
Clemont continued.
"The dimensional readings aren't random."
Jin's expression changed.
"What do you mean?"
Clemont activated the display.
Three-dimensional projections appeared.
The first was blue.
The second was red.
The third was completely black.
"The System detected three approaching dimensional signatures."
Cynthia stepped forward.
"And we've discovered where the first one is coming from."
Jin looked at the blue projection.
"Another Pokémon world?"
Cynthia nodded.
"But..."
She paused.
"Not exactly."
The First Door
The hologram changed.
A world appeared.
It looked familiar.
Mountains.
Cities.
Oceans.
Pokémon.
But the geography was completely different.
Jin stared.
"That's..."
Ash leaned closer.
"Another Pokémon world?"
Cynthia shook her head.
"Possibly."
She pointed at the projection.
"Look carefully."
Jin did.
The world had something strange.
There were enormous structures surrounding several cities.
Not human structures.
Ancient structures.
And at the center of the world...
A gigantic white tree.
Jin frowned.
"What's that?"
Astra's expression became serious.
"The first door."
Jin turned.
"You recognize it?"
"I've seen it before."
"Where?"
"Before Dimensional Island disappeared from my world."
Jin stared.
"You mean..."
Astra nodded.
"The world I came from."
Astra's World
Everyone became quiet.
Jin had known Astra was from another dimension.
But she had never explained where.
Now, finally, she began to talk.
"My world was almost identical to yours."
She looked toward Ash.
"Pokémon."
Then Cynthia.
"Champions."
Then Steven.
"Regions."
Then Leon.
"Leagues."
Her expression darkened.
"But our world had one difference."
Jin asked:
"What?"
Astra looked toward the hologram.
"We discovered Dimensional Island too early."
Clemont's eyes widened.
"You found the island before its Administrator?"
"Yes."
"And what happened?"
Astra closed her eyes.
"We tried to control it."
Silence.
Jin didn't speak.
Astra continued.
"Governments wanted its technology."
"Researchers wanted its dimensional energy."
"Champions wanted to understand its Pokémon."
"And eventually..."
She opened her eyes.
"People wanted to own it."
Jin looked down.
"That's why you became Administrator."
"Not exactly."
Astra smiled sadly.
"I became Administrator because the island chose me after the previous civilization destroyed itself trying to reach the dimensional core."
Jin's eyes widened.
"So you inherited the island."
"Yes."
"Then why did you leave?"
Astra didn't answer immediately.
Finally she said:
"Because I failed."
A Forgotten Battle
Astra explained that her world had discovered the island's ability to connect dimensions.
They had attempted to open portals.
At first, everything worked.
They saw other Pokémon worlds.
They observed different forms of Pokémon.
They even discovered early traces of Mega Evolution, Z-Power, Dynamax, and Terastallization.
But eventually they tried to combine the energies.
The result was catastrophic.
"The four systems were never designed to be forced together," Astra explained.
Clemont nodded.
"That matches what we observed."
"The dimensional barrier collapsed."
Astra pointed toward Jin.
"And the first Null King was born."
Jin frowned.
"The Guardian."
"Yes."
"The Guardian became the Null King because of the experiment."
Astra nodded.
"Your Null King wasn't the first."
Jin froze.
"There were others?"
"Thousands."
Everyone fell silent.
Ash's Pikachu's ears lowered.
Jin looked toward the island.
Thousands of Pokémon.
Thousands of lives.
A terrible thought entered his mind.
"How many survived?"
Astra looked away.
"None."
Jin Makes a Decision
Jin stood.
"Then we're not repeating your world's mistake."
Astra looked at him.
"What are you planning?"
Jin walked toward the System.
"We don't force the four powers together."
Clemont nodded.
"We stabilize them independently."
"Exactly."
Steven smiled.
"Separate facilities."
Cynthia understood.
"Different energy zones."
Leon grinned.
"Which means we can train without destabilizing the island."
Jin nodded.
"That's why the System generated the four facilities."
He opened the construction menu.
Mega Evolution Chamber
Z-Power Shrine
Dynamax Stadium
Tera Crystal Cavern
Jin looked at the list.
"We're not creating weapons."
He selected all four.
"We're creating places where Trainers and Pokémon can learn to use these powers safely."
Astra stared at him.
Then she smiled.
"That's exactly what my world should have done."
The Battle Frontier
The next facility was larger.
Much larger.
Jin selected:
Battle Frontier
The System responded.
[BATTLE FRONTIER]
Purpose: Pokémon training, research, and friendly competition.
Available facilities:
Battle Tower
Battle Factory
Battle Arena
Battle Dome
Battle Pike
Battle Palace
Battle Hall
Additional dimensional battle facilities may unlock later.
Ash's eyes practically sparkled.
"Battle Frontier?!"
Jin immediately knew that look.
"No."
Ash blinked.
"But I didn't say anything!"
"You don't have to."
Pikachu laughed.
"Pika pika!"
Ash crossed his arms.
"Come on!"
Cynthia smiled.
"I wouldn't mind testing it myself."
Steven nodded.
"Neither would I."
Leon laughed.
"Now we're talking."
Jin sighed.
"Fine."
He looked at the System.
"Build it."
[CONFIRMED]
Ash pumped his fist.
"Yes!"
The Tera Crystal Cavern
Later that afternoon, Jin followed Clemont and several Pokémon to a newly opened cavern beneath the island.
The walls were covered with crystals.
They sparkled in dozens of colors.
Red.
Blue.
Green.
Purple.
Gold.
White.
Clemont scanned them.
"Incredible."
Jin looked around.
"So this is where Tera energy comes from?"
"Not exactly."
Clemont shook his head.
"This isn't the same as Paldea's Terastal phenomenon."
Jin frowned.
"Then what is it?"
Clemont smiled.
"I think it's the island's interpretation of it."
Jin looked at the crystals.
The System appeared.
[TERA CRYSTAL CAVERN]
Natural Tera Energy Source
Tera Types detected: 18
Unknown Tera Types: 3
Dimensional Tera Type: LOCKED
Jin stared.
"Unknown Tera Types?"
Clemont's eyes widened.
"There are three?"
The System did not elaborate.
Jin smiled.
"Looks like we'll have something to investigate."
The Mega Evolution Chamber
On the opposite side of the island, Steven and Diantha were inspecting the Mega Evolution facility.
It resembled a giant laboratory combined with a temple.
At its center was a circular platform.
Jin stepped inside.
[MEGA EVOLUTION CHAMBER]
Mega Stone resonance: 100%
Key Stone resonance: 100%
Dimensional interference: 0%
Steven looked impressed.
"This is significantly more stable than conventional Mega Evolution environments."
Diantha nodded.
"And it could potentially help Pokémon that struggle with Mega Evolution."
Jin smiled.
"Then we'll make it available to everyone."
Steven looked at him.
"Everyone?"
"Eventually."
Jin looked toward the island.
"We have more than twelve thousand Pokémon."
He smiled.
"Who knows how many of them have hidden potential?"
The Z-Power Shrine
The shrine was built near the ocean.
Unlike the technological Mega Evolution facility, the Z-Power Shrine was peaceful.
There were no machines.
No computers.
Only stone.
A large circular platform sat beneath a massive crystal formation.
Ash stared at it.
"This feels familiar."
Pikachu walked onto the platform.
The crystal glowed.
[Z-POWER RESONANCE DETECTED]
Ash smiled.
"I think Pikachu likes it."
Jin nodded.
"Then this place will remain open."
He looked at Ash.
"But we're establishing rules."
Ash blinked.
"Rules?"
"Z-Moves are powerful."
Jin pointed toward the battlefield.
"We don't use them inside populated areas."
Ash nodded.
"Fair."
The Dynamax Stadium
This facility was the largest of them all.
A massive stadium was built into the island's eastern cliffs.
The roof could open completely.
Gigantic red crystals surrounded the arena.
Leon stood at the center.
He looked like a child who had been given an entire amusement park.
"This."
He slowly turned.
"Is."
He grinned.
"PERFECT!"
Jin laughed.
"Of course you'd like it."
Leon looked at him.
"Jin."
"What?"
"Battle me."
Jin blinked.
"Right now?"
Leon nodded.
"Just one battle."
Ash immediately raised his hand.
"Me too!"
Cynthia smiled.
"Count me in."
Steven adjusted his glasses.
"I suppose a test battle would be useful."
Diantha sighed.
"You all realize we're supposed to be investigating an interdimensional crisis?"
Leon shrugged.
"We can investigate after the battle."
Jin stared at everyone.
Then at the System.
Then at the massive stadium.
He sighed.
"Fine."
The First Island Battle
Jin walked into the arena.
The large Pikachu stood beside him.
Ash stood on one side.
Leon stood on the other.
Cynthia and Steven watched from the observation platform.
Serena and Bonnie cheered.
Clemont prepared his recording equipment.
Jin looked at Pikachu.
"You ready?"
"Pika."
[Always.]
Jin smiled.
"Then let's test what the island can really do."
The System activated.
[FRIENDLY BATTLE MODE]
Battlefield restrictions active.
Fatal damage prevention: ON
Dimensional barrier: ON
Power system synchronization: ON
Administrator battle authority: LIMITED
All combatants permitted to use regional power systems.
Ash grinned.
"Pikachu!"
"Pika!"
Leon threw his Poké Ball.
"Charizard!"
"CHAR!"
Jin looked at his Pikachu.
The large Pokémon cracked its knuckles.
"Pika."
[Master.]
"Yeah?"
The Pikachu smiled.
[Let's show them what Dimensional Island can do.]
Jin laughed.
"Let's."
The stadium lights activated.
The crowd roared.
Three Trainers.
Three Pokémon.
Three completely different styles.
Ash raised his Z-Ring.
Leon activated his Dynamax Band.
Jin's System began glowing.
[DIMENSIONAL BATTLE COMMENCING]
Ash shouted:
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
Leon immediately responded.
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
Jin pointed forward.
"Pikachu—"
His partner vanished.
BOOM!
The enormous Pikachu crossed the battlefield faster than anyone expected.
It dodged Charizard's flames.
Ash's eyes widened.
"Whoa!"
Cynthia smiled.
"That Pikachu is extraordinary."
Jin grinned.
"Pikachu!"
"Pika!"
Lightning erupted.
But instead of attacking Charizard—
Pikachu struck the ground.
Electricity spread across the battlefield.
Leon stared.
"That's not an ordinary Electric attack."
Jin looked at the System.
[DIMENSIONAL THUNDER FIELD]
Effect: Enhances Electric-type Pokémon within the Administrator's command range.
Jin smiled.
"So that's new."
Ash laughed.
"You're full of surprises!"
Suddenly—
BEEP.
Clemont's scanner began screaming.
Everyone stopped.
Clemont looked at his screen.
"Uh..."
Jin turned.
"What now?"
Clemont's face became serious.
"The first dimensional door."
The sky above the island changed.
A massive blue circle appeared.
Then another.
And another.
The three circles aligned.
Jin looked upward.
The System appeared.
[DIMENSIONAL GATE DETECTED]
WORLD ONE ARRIVAL: IMMINENT
ETA: 00:10:00
Ten minutes.
Astra rushed into the stadium.
"Everyone!"
Jin turned.
"What is it?"
Astra looked terrified.
"The first door is opening."
Ash recalled Pikachu.
"Who's coming?"
Astra looked toward the sky.
"I don't know."
The blue portal began opening.
Something emerged from the other side.
A silhouette.
Human.
Standing on top of something enormous.
Jin stared.
The silhouette stepped forward.
The creature beneath it roared.
Ash's eyes widened.
"Wait..."
Cynthia stood.
"That Pokémon..."
Steven looked shocked.
Leon smiled in disbelief.
Jin stared at the approaching figure.
He recognized the voice before he could see the face.
"Hello."
The figure stepped through the portal.
A familiar red-and-white cap.
And a Pikachu standing on her shoulder.
Ash froze.
"Pikachu?"
His own Pikachu stared.
"Pika?!"
The newcomer smiled.
"Sorry we're late."
Jin's eyes widened.
Because standing before them was—
Another Ash Ketchum.
The stadium went completely silent.
The dimensional portal remained open behind him.
And somewhere on the other side...
Something else was approaching.