[In the boundless universe and its infinite worlds, there exists a realm where Pokémon thrive.]
[The essence of that world is 'peace and Pokémon,' where hundreds of species coexist with Pokémon, and every aspect of life is intertwined with them.]
[That world is known as 'Pokémon Island.']
[And 'Akihiko Kayaba' was the first human on Earth to discover this world through virtual technology.]
[Using his advancements in VR, he linked the consciousness of 5,000 Pokémon from Pokémon Island to Aincrad, learning about their world directly from them.]
[In pursuit of reaching this fantastical world, he constructed a colossal teleportation gate—Aincrad—through virtual technology.]
[The only way to activate this massive teleportation gate was to clear the first 100 floors of Aincrad and reach the 101st floor to sign a contract.]
[Once the contract is signed, courageous Trainers can use NERvGear to teleport to Pokémon Island via Aincrad, truly reuniting with their Pokémon partners and meeting new friends.]
[Now, it's your turn to make a choice.]
Once players finished reading the inscription on the monument, two dialogue boxes automatically appeared before them.
The top choice featured an image of a modern city from Earth, its streets filled with skyscrapers, vehicles, and people.
[Return to reality and retain the ability to re-enter Aincrad through this account.]
The bottom choice displayed the natural city of Yggdrasil and the World Tree of Pokémon Island. Numerous Trainers and Pokémon could be seen in the background, casually appearing in the frame.
[Activate the 'Aincrad' teleportation gate, gaining the right to travel between the real world and Pokémon Island. However, your Aincrad account will be permanently deleted, preventing re-entry.]
Beside these choices, a [5min] countdown began, giving players five minutes to decide.
Both options held distinct significance.
The first option allowed players to preserve their past in Aincrad. They could retrace their journey anytime and reunite with their Pokémon.
This choice felt stable—Aincrad, now cleared, no longer posed any real dangers.
The second option meant abandoning the past and stepping forward with courage, creating new memories alongside their Pokémon, embarking on a brand-new adventure, and even discovering an entirely new world.
This choice was filled with mystery and uncertainty. No one knew what truly awaited them on Pokémon Island. Would it be the paradise described in the text? Or were there hidden dangers lurking?
After all, SAO itself had once been marketed as a paradise before becoming a death game.
But in hindsight…
If they hadn't been trapped, SAO had been a beautiful experience—one where they met precious Pokémon partners.
A deep silence fell over the 3,400 remaining players.
Each person wrestled with their own thoughts.
"Kirito?"
Asuna reached out and clasped Kirito's hand, uncertain of what to do.
"Asuna… if what's written here is true…"
Kirito gazed blankly at the massive monument in front of him.
"I want to see a real Sneasel. I want to go to its world, travel with it, and have adventures together."
"I understand. I want to meet a real Heracross too."
Asuna nodded after hearing Kirito's thoughts. She turned to her Heracross with a smile.
"When we get there, we'll be counting on you to show us around!"
"Hera!~"
Heracross grinned, confidently patting its chest.
It had so many friends back home—it would introduce all of them to Asuna!
With their minds made up, Kirito and Asuna both chose the second option.
And they weren't alone.
A significant portion of the 3,400 Trainers swiftly selected the second option as well.
Most of them were young.
Their choice wasn't just about Pokémon—it was also fueled by their curiosity for the unknown, their yearning for an otherworldly adventure, and their desire to meet even more Pokémon.
On the other hand, older players like Shoumi took longer to decide.
They had families to consider—elderly parents, children—they had real-world responsibilities that younger players didn't.
But when Shoumi locked eyes with her pleading Bulbasaur, all her hesitations vanished.
Without a second thought, she tapped the second option.
"My little Bulbasaur is so small. If it stays there alone, no one will take care of it—it'll get bullied! As its mother, I have to protect it!"
Shoumi clenched her fist and hugged Bulbasaur tightly.
"Besides, my husband and daughter are always working overtime at the prosecutor's office. I'm alone at home all the time anyway. I might as well explore a new world with my Bulbasaur!"
"That would be way more fun!"
"Since we're entering that world through NERvGear, we can always log out if anything happens, right?"
"It's just like playing a game—it won't really affect reality."
"I can study during the day, then log in at night to play with my Glameow. It can even help me review for exams, hehe~"
Trainers muttered to themselves, convincing themselves why they should pick the second option.
Some even asked their Pokémon for their opinion. Without exception, the Pokémon all reassured them—it was okay to go.
In the end…
All 3,400 players chose the second option.
The fact that they had even made it here already proved they were willing to face risks for their Pokémon.
Now that an opportunity had presented itself—one that even their Pokémon encouraged them to take—there was no reason to hesitate.
[Choice timer ended.]
[Number of players who chose the first option: 0]
[Number of players who chose the second option: 3,400]
When these results appeared, the players exchanged glances…
Then smiled knowingly.
Their Pokémon cheered, as if welcoming their Trainers home to Pokémon Island.
[Final Announcement]
[Congratulations to all players—your SAO journey has officially ended. While Aincrad will continue to exist, it will no longer be SAO, but a brand-new world.]
[A final warning: Your first-generation NERvGear will be permanently discontinued due to the SAO incident. You will never be able to purchase another first-gen NERvGear, nor retain your original player ID.]
[This means that if your NERvGear is confiscated or lost, you will forever lose the ability to return to Pokémon Island.]
[So, protect it well.]
The announcement remained on-screen for two minutes, giving players time to process it.
Then, a new prompt appeared.
[Aincrad's servers will shut down in 10 minutes. All remaining players will be forcibly logged out. Take this time to say goodbye.]
As the message faded, Aincrad's systems seemed to fall into silence.
The 3,400 Trainers made promises to their Pokémon—
They would reunite in Pokémon Island. They would travel together again.
Then, they began removing their equipment, one item at a time—
Browsing through them.
Remembering their journey.
Because once they logged out of SAO…
They would never see these items again.
The ten minutes passed in a flash.
Players and Pokémon alike began to glow.
After 30 seconds, every player and Pokémon was forcibly logged out.
...
Pokémon Island – Outskirts of League City – Kayaba's Research Lab
At that moment, Kayaba sat at his desk, contemplating how to update Aincrad.
From now on, Aincrad would be a new game for Earth's players—one that would undoubtedly explode in popularity.
Even if he designed it terribly, people would still buy it.
After all, in 2023, Kayaba controlled the world's only full-dive VR game.
Just then, the lab doors opened.
Without lifting his head, his third eye glanced at the entrance.
"What is it?"
"I have an idea for Aincrad's update. What do you think?"
It was Dak, holding a printed proposal.
Kayaba took it, glancing at the title—
"Pokémon."
(End of Chapter)
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