Epilogue:

We exited the tunnel to near night, the pikmin carrying the treasure into the ship just as the clock struck 10. Finally, the ship was ready for space travel.

"We couldn't collect all of the ship parts," Olimar said. "But I'm ready just to escape the planet."

Enough of my strength had recovered to allow me to speak. But with that strength came pain. A lot of it. I grunted in it whenever I tried to speak. "Agreed."

We climbed into the ship and said goodbye to the pikmin. They left to their respective onions and left the planet's surface. Where did they go? I'd like to think they went to help their red brethren repair their ship. They certainly had to stick together.

Olimar set the ship on course to home and proceeded to work on my shoulder. He gave me blood tablets, restitched the wound, and gave me plenty of food pills.

"We finally have our electricity," Olimar said. "So you'll get to try those fried noodles you've been craving."

"Can't wait," I said. I was going to recover.

After Olimar finished the operation, he showed me the object he had recovered: a bottle cap. "Why did you want me to collect this?" He asked.

"How many pokos were in your secret safe?"

"Nearly a year's salary: 90."

I smiled. "Then you'll find out."

We watched the space fly by in silence. "Jason, I want to thank you for everything you've done."

"I'd thank you as well, but by the time I finished the list we'd be back on Hocotate."

Olimar chuckled. "I don't suppose you've reconsidered my offer?"

As great as the offer was, I wanted to go back home. "If I'm not gone, then yes."

"What do you mean?"

Suddenly, I started to glow. The pain, all of my wounds, all of my exhaustion were gone. Olimar and I gasped simultaneously. My suit had gone, and I was wearing my Earth clothes.

"I guess I mean this," I said. Olimar was staring at me in a stunned silence. "Olimar, you are my hero. I can't imagine anything greater than helping you escape. I… I'm going home. So goodbye. If we meet again, I hope we can reminisce."

Olimar looked at the ground. "Then it's goodbye?" He didn't question anything. He trusted me. "Then I wish you the greatest of luck, Jason." We shook hands. "I don't suppose I should mention you to anyone."

I laughed, harder than I'd ever done and much harder than I should have. "If you do, they'll commit you. Can't let that happen after all we've done." I winked. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye, my friend."

I blinked.

I was back on Earth. Facedown, drooling, in front of my television. My left shoulder was in pain, a scratch from hitting the television. It was yesterday. Not a few minutes after I had fallen unconscious.

I spent the night thinking about my adventure, recalling everything that had happened. I'm sure that it wasn't a dream, that it really happened. You know me. I can't think of anything that complex.

Olimar's safe now. We helped each other to survive. That's the point. Survival. Cooperation. Friendship. They were the point of…

My Adventure with Olimar.