Chapter 3 — The First Day as Master
The man stood completely still.
Outside the mansion, the sky was returning to normal.
The dimensional rift had disappeared.
The ocean had stopped moving.
The Pokémon had slowly returned to their normal activities.
And yet...
He couldn't relax.
Because the strange warning from the mansion's system remained displayed on the computer.
DIMENSIONAL INSTABILITY DETECTED
MULTIPLE SPATIAL TEARS APPROACHING
ESTIMATED ARRIVAL: 71 HOURS, 42 MINUTES
He stared at the countdown.
"...Why seventy-one hours?"
Pikachu sat beside him.
"Pika."
[Because it has been eighteen minutes.]
The man looked at her.
"...You're taking the countdown very seriously."
"Pika."
[Someone has to.]
He sighed.
"Fair."
He turned toward the computer.
"So this mansion has an administrator system."
"Pika."
[Yes.]
"And apparently I'm the administrator."
"Pikachu."
[Yes.]
"Can I access everything?"
Pikachu nodded.
"Pika."
[Probably.]
"Probably?"
Pikachu scratched her cheek.
"Pika pika."
[The previous administrators never actually appeared.]
The man stopped.
"...Previous administrators?"
Pikachu nodded.
[There were supposed to be administrators.]
"How many?"
Pikachu thought for a moment.
"Pika."
[We don't know.]
"..."
He rubbed his temples.
"This place becomes stranger every minute."
He sat in front of the computer.
The moment his fingers touched the keyboard—
DING!
The screen changed.
A holographic interface appeared.
DIMENSIONAL ISLAND ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM
Administrator: Confirmed
Species: Human
Status: Active
Authority Level: 100%
Island Stability: 98%
Pokémon Population: 12,487
Human Population: 1
External Threats: 37
Unknown Threats: 3
Dimensional Tears: 7
The man stared.
"Thirty-seven external threats?"
Pikachu nodded.
"Pika."
[Mostly people trying to enter.]
"Unknown threats?"
Pikachu's ears drooped.
"Pika."
[We don't know.]
"And seven dimensional tears?"
"Pika."
[We definitely don't know.]
He leaned back.
"Wonderful."
He continued reading.
Another menu appeared.
ADMINISTRATOR FUNCTIONS
Island Map
Pokémon Registry
Security
Resource Management
Weather Control
Dimensional Barrier
Teleportation Network
Mansion Facilities
Pokémon Communication
External Communication
Unknown
The man's eyes widened.
"Weather control?"
Pikachu nodded.
"Pika."
[The island can control its own environment.]
"Teleportation network?"
[You can travel anywhere on the island instantly.]
"External communication?"
[The island can contact the outside world.]
The man paused.
"...Can I turn off the barrier?"
Pikachu immediately shook her head.
"Pika!"
[Absolutely not!]
"Why?"
[Because the island will become vulnerable.]
The man nodded.
"Then I won't."
Pikachu looked relieved.
He clicked on Unknown.
The screen flickered.
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then—
ACCESS DENIED.
ADMINISTRATOR AUTHORITY INSUFFICIENT.
The man raised an eyebrow.
"Insufficient?"
Pikachu looked surprised.
"Pika?"
[But you're the administrator.]
The screen displayed another message.
PRIMARY ADMINISTRATOR STATUS CONFIRMED.
HOWEVER, CERTAIN FUNCTIONS REQUIRE CONDITIONS.
"Conditions?"
Condition 1: Discover the origin of Dimensional Island.
The man stared.
"Of course."
Condition 2: Establish connection with three major regions.
"Which regions?"
The screen displayed three question marks.
???
"...Helpful."
Condition 3: Discover the reason for Administrator selection.
The man frowned.
"Even the system doesn't know?"
Pikachu shook her head.
"Pika."
[Maybe it wasn't created to explain that.]
The man stared at the screen.
"Then who created it?"
The room became silent.
Pikachu slowly shook her head.
"I see."
He leaned back.
"So basically..."
He counted on his fingers.
"I'm stranded on a mysterious island."
"Surrounded by thousands of Pokémon."
"I've been declared their master."
"The island has a mysterious system."
"There are dimensional rifts appearing."
"And I have no idea why I'm here."
Pikachu nodded.
"Pika."
[Correct.]
The man smiled bitterly.
"At least I'm not bored anymore."
Meanwhile — Outside the Island
The Pokémon League's investigation fleet had arrived.
Three large ships sailed toward the island.
Several helicopters circled overhead.
At the front of the fleet stood a senior League official.
Professor-like equipment covered the deck.
Scientists monitored energy readings.
"Confirm the readings."
A technician looked at the screen.
"Barrier remains unchanged."
"Any Pokémon activity?"
"Extremely high."
"Anything unusual?"
The technician hesitated.
"Yes."
"What?"
"There are more Pokémon than our previous scans showed."
The official frowned.
"How many?"
"Approximately twelve thousand."
The official's expression changed.
"That's impossible."
"That's what the scanner says."
"How many powerful Pokémon?"
The technician swallowed.
"Too many."
The official looked toward the island.
"This place is becoming more dangerous."
One scientist approached.
"Sir."
"What?"
"We detected a human life signature."
The official immediately turned around.
"What?"
"Inside the mansion."
The entire deck went silent.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes."
The scientist adjusted his equipment.
"Human."
"Age?"
"Approximately twenty to thirty."
The official stared at the mansion.
For seventeen years...
Nobody had entered.
Nobody had lived there.
And now...
A human had appeared.
"Can we communicate?"
"Not through the barrier."
"Then send a message."
"Sir?"
"Tell them the Pokémon League wishes to establish peaceful contact."
The scientist hesitated.
"Do you think they'll respond?"
The official looked toward the mansion.
"We'll find out."
Back on Dimensional Island
The man was currently eating breakfast.
He stared at the plate.
Eggs.
Toast.
Bacon.
Fruit.
And a strange blue berry.
He pointed toward it.
"What is this?"
A Chansey happily gestured toward it.
"Chansey!"
Pikachu translated.
[Oran Berry.]
The man stared.
"You put an Oran Berry on my breakfast?"
"Pika."
[It's healthy.]
He picked it up.
"...Can I eat it?"
Pikachu nodded.
He took a bite.
His eyes widened.
"Wow."
The berry was surprisingly sweet.
He ate the rest.
"That's actually good."
Chansey smiled.
"Chansey!"
Then the doors opened.
A large Blissey entered carrying several documents.
She placed them on the table.
The man looked confused.
"What's this?"
Pikachu glanced at the documents.
"Pika."
[Daily reports.]
"Already?"
"Pikachu."
[You've been sleeping for twenty minutes.]
The man stopped.
"...What?"
Pikachu pointed at the clock.
He stared.
It had been three hours since he woke up.
The man sighed.
"Time moves differently here."
Pikachu shook her head.
"Pika."
[You spent most of it staring at the computer.]
"Right."
He picked up the first document.
AGRICULTURAL REPORT
Berry production increased by 12%.
He looked at Pikachu.
"Why am I reading this?"
Pikachu shrugged.
"Pika."
[You're the master.]
The next document.
ENERGY REPORT
Solar power plant operating at 83%.
Next.
WATER SYSTEM
Stable.
Next.
POKÉMON HEALTH REPORT
No major illnesses.
Next.
SECURITY REPORT
External observation detected.
He stopped.
"External observation?"
Pikachu nodded.
"Pika."
[Humans are watching the island.]
"That's nothing new."
[This time they are using stronger equipment.]
He put the report down.
"How long until they try something?"
Pikachu looked at him.
"Pika."
[They already have.]
The mansion shook.
The man slowly looked toward the window.
A loud warning alarm sounded.
WEE-OOO! WEE-OOO!
The screen displayed:
EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION REQUEST.
The man stood.
"...They want to talk."
Pikachu nodded.
"Pika."
[Probably.]
The man walked toward the main hall.
"How do I answer?"
Pikachu followed.
[Just say what you want.]
"That's it?"
[Pika.]
[You're the administrator.]
He stopped.
"Right."
They reached the mansion's central hall.
A massive screen appeared.
The League official appeared on it.
"Unknown administrator of Dimensional Island."
The man blinked.
"That's a long title."
Pikachu covered her face.
The official continued.
"We represent the International Pokémon League."
"We have no intention of attacking your island."
The man looked at the helicopters outside.
"...Really?"
The official's expression became awkward.
"We apologize for the previous incidents."
The man raised an eyebrow.
"Previous incidents?"
Pikachu whispered.
"Pika."
[Many.]
The man sighed.
"Fine."
He looked at the screen.
"Let's talk."
The League official seemed surprised.
"Very well."
"We wish to understand this island."
"So do I."
The official paused.
"What?"
The man leaned against the wall.
"I just arrived today."
Silence.
The League officials stared at him.
"You... just arrived?"
"Yes."
"Then you don't know what this island is?"
"No."
"You don't know why you're here?"
"No."
"Then who are you?"
The man thought about it.
He couldn't tell them about reincarnation.
He couldn't explain ROB.
And he definitely couldn't explain the dimensional transportation.
So he gave the simplest answer.
"My name is Jin."
Pikachu looked at him.
The League official nodded.
"Jin."
"Yes."
"And you are the administrator?"
"Apparently."
The official exchanged glances with the scientists.
"Apparently?"
Jin pointed toward the computer.
"The mansion says I'm the administrator."
The official frowned.
"Can you prove it?"
Jin looked at Pikachu.
Pikachu smiled.
"Pika."
[Show them.]
Jin touched the central control panel.
The entire mansion immediately responded.
The lights changed.
The barrier surrounding the island became visible.
Every Pokémon on the island suddenly turned toward the mansion.
Then the system announced:
"Administrator command recognized."
The League officials stared.
The official slowly stood.
"...Understood."
Jin looked at him.
"Now can we talk peacefully?"
The official nodded.
"Yes."
But before he could continue—
BOOOOOOM!
The entire ocean suddenly erupted.
Everyone turned toward the horizon.
The sky cracked.
A massive purple rift appeared.
The League's instruments immediately went crazy.
"WHAT IS THAT?!"
The scientists screamed.
"Dimensional distortion!"
"It's expanding!"
"Something is coming through!"
Jin stared.
The same strange feeling from earlier returned.
Except this time...
It was much stronger.
Pikachu's fur stood on end.
"Pika..."
[Master...]
Jin looked at her.
"What?"
Pikachu pointed toward the rift.
Something enormous was emerging.
First came a claw.
Then another.
Then a gigantic head.
A Pokémon.
But not one Jin recognized.
Its body was covered in black crystalline armor.
Purple energy leaked from between its scales.
Its eyes glowed red.
The system immediately activated.
UNKNOWN POKÉMON DETECTED.
IDENTIFICATION: FAILED.
ORIGIN: UNKNOWN.
THREAT LEVEL: EXTREME.
Jin stared.
"...That's not good."
The creature opened its mouth.
A deep roar shook the entire ocean.
ROOOOOOOOOOOAR!
Every Pokémon on the island reacted.
Charizard took flight.
Lucario entered a fighting stance.
Garchomp dug its claws into the ground.
Tyranitar roared.
Even the legendary Pokémon hidden deeper within the island began moving.
The League fleet panicked.
"ALL UNITS RETREAT!"
But Jin noticed something.
The creature wasn't looking at the ships.
It wasn't looking at the Pokémon.
It was looking directly at the mansion.
More specifically...
At him.
Jin's expression became serious.
"...Why is it looking at me?"
Pikachu's voice trembled.
"Pika..."
[Because it knows you.]
Jin's eyes widened.
"What?"
The creature raised one massive claw.
A strange symbol appeared in the sky.
The exact same symbol that had appeared inside the mansion.
The administrator symbol.
Jin stared at it.
"...You have got to be kidding me."
The system displayed one final message.
WARNING.
ADMINISTRATOR'S ARRIVAL HAS BEEN DETECTED BY AN EXTERNAL ENTITY.
FIRST DIMENSIONAL INVADER IDENTIFIED.
OBJECTIVE: LOCATE ADMINISTRATOR.
Jin slowly clenched his fists.
"So..."
He looked at the enormous creature.
"...this thing came here because of me?"
Pikachu nodded.
"Pika."
[It appears so.]
Jin sighed.
His first day in the Pokémon world wasn't even over yet.
And already...
Something from another dimension had come looking for him.
He looked at Pikachu.
"Do we have a battle plan?"
Pikachu smiled.
"Pikachu."
[We have twelve thousand Pokémon.]
Jin smiled.
"...Good answer."
Outside the mansion, thousands of Pokémon began gathering.
And for the first time in seventeen years...
Dimensional Island prepared for war.