Chapter 16 — A Vacation on Dimensional Island
The next week became known among the island Pokémon as:
The Great Vacation.
No battles.
No dimensional emergencies.
No mysterious entities.
No world-ending threats.
And, most importantly—
No Administrator meetings.
Jin declared:
"Everyone gets a vacation."
The island erupted into celebration.
The Battle Frontier temporarily closed.
The research laboratory shut down.
The security Pokémon were rotated into vacation shifts.
Even the system changed its interface.
[ADMINISTRATOR REST MODE]
Current objective:
ENJOY YOUR LIFE.
Mandatory activities:
None.
Recommended activities:
Eat.
Sleep.
Explore.
Have fun.
Jin stared at the screen.
"You've got jokes now?"
[I LEARNED FROM MY ADMINISTRATOR.]
Jin laughed.
"Fair enough."
The Beach
The island's southern beach became the center of activity.
Ash's Pikachu played volleyball with several island Pikachu.
Eevee chased beach balls.
Squirtle splashed everyone.
Charizard slept under an umbrella.
Garchomp sat beneath a palm tree while Cynthia read a book.
Steven collected unusual stones.
Serena took photographs.
Clemont attempted to build a solar-powered beach cooler.
It exploded.
Bonnie laughed.
Misty immediately challenged the island's Water-type Pokémon to races.
Brock was busy cooking.
Jin stood in the middle of the beach.
Wearing sunglasses.
Holding a drink.
Doing absolutely nothing.
Large Pikachu sat beside him.
"Pika."
[You're finally relaxing.]
Jin smiled.
"I forgot what this felt like."
Pikachu nodded.
"Pika."
[Good.]
Jin looked at her.
"You know…"
He smiled.
"I thought becoming the Administrator would mean I'd never have a normal life again."
Pikachu looked toward the beach.
"Pika."
[You don't have a normal life.]
Jin laughed.
"Thanks."
The Evening Festival
That night, the Pokémon created a festival.
Nobody knew exactly who started it.
But soon the entire island was covered in lights.
Fireworks illuminated the sky.
Electric Pokémon powered decorations.
Fairy Pokémon created glowing ornaments.
Fire-type Pokémon prepared food.
Water Pokémon created fountains.
Musical Pokémon performed.
Jin watched from the mansion balcony.
Astra stood beside him.
"You look happy."
Jin smiled.
"I am."
Aster appeared behind them.
"You've earned it."
Jin looked at him.
"Are you staying?"
Aster smiled.
"For the first time in a very long time…"
He looked at the island.
"…I don't have anywhere else to go."
Astra smiled.
"Then stay."
Aster nodded.
"I will."
Jin looked at the festival.
The original Administrator.
The former Administrator.
The new Administrator.
The Guardian.
The island Pokémon.
All together.
Not because of a crisis.
Not because of destiny.
Simply because they wanted to be there.
Then a voice entered Jin's mind.
"Hey."
Jin smiled.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
Jin looked toward the stars.
"For what?"
"For letting me stay."
Jin closed his eyes.
"You're family now."
A brief silence followed.
Then:
"…Don't make this emotional."
Jin laughed.
"Too late."