New region unlocked

Classes passed uneventfully until mid-morning. Mrs. Dutta, their homeroom teacher, clapped her hands once at the front of the class.

"Alright, attention everyone! I have a small announcement." She smiled as eyes turned toward her. "As part of your regular training, we've arranged a school outing to Dawki Lake!"

Dawki lake was quite a famous spot in his previous life. He had visited there in his previous life. The water in the lake was exceptionally clean and clear, and one could hire a boat and just have a fun time there. But in this world, that lake had become at least twice the size of the lake in his previous life. 

And not only that. This lake was also special. This world apart from being enlarged, it also had secret dimensions which were exclusive to Pokémon. In fact when the Pokémon first started to show up, it was due to these secret realms/dimensions.

In gaming terms, they could be termed as dungeons. But these dungeons didn't have a experience boost or anything of that kind. Just Pokémon and sometimes, some Pokémon would spill out from these dimensions. Thus dimensions were very important for any Alliance and though there were numerous dimensions around the world, it didn't diminish the significance of them around the world. 

Any dimension would come with resources and Pokémon, thus the Alliances always monitored and look out for emergence of any new dimension. The lake also had a dimension but it was deep in the water and only trainers were allowed to dive in and get inside the dimension after getting clearance. 

The outing which Mrs. Dutta just spoke about, of course, didn't involve the dimension and just the lake and the forest in the surroundings where they would be again given advice of how to camp and move if they were ever out there for adventure in the future. 

Excited murmurs erupted around the room. 

"Two days from now. Transportation will be arranged by the school. You'll be allowed to catch Pokémon too if you find any, and if possible the teachers would help you too if you can find a good one. It all depends upon luck. 

Hearing the word luck, Neil turned his head and looked at Ayan with shining eyes. Ayan could only roll his eyes. Neil was delusional if he thought his luck would help Neil. This wasn't the game world. Though he was looking forward to this outing, but he didn't hold his breath for it.

He just needed to go to the game world if he needed any kind of Pokémon or items. 

After school ended and they'd been dismissed, Ayan walked home at his usual pace. The afternoon sun wasn't too harsh today, and Pidgey flew a lazy circle overhead before landing neatly on his shoulder.

As soon as he stepped inside his apartment, the familiar scent of mint leaves and warm paratha greeted him. His mother looked up from the living room, where she sat on the floor with a comb in one hand and Oddish in her lap. The little blue grass-type was almost glowing with joy, a woven flower crown balanced neatly between her leaves.

"You two really hit it off, huh?" Ayan asked, setting his bag down.

"She's a sweetheart," his mother said, beaming. "Not like that Leavanny. She never lets me touch her face."

Leavanny, in response from the couch, let out a dignified Hmph and turned her head away, still busy with her threadwork.

"Hey, little miss pampered." Ayan said, crouching over Oddish. "Want to come with me." Oddish shook her head as she didn't like moving at all and just loved being on his mother's arms. 

"Don't disturb her. Let her practice after you get the Alliance Pokémon." His mother said. 

"Alright." 

After lunch he was back at his room, ready to reach Viridian City. The door clicked shut behind him. He tossed his hoodie onto the chair and took a seat on the bed. From his pocket, he pulled out the PokéDex. With a thought—almost like muscle memory now—his surroundings blurred.

And then reassembled.

He stood again on Route 1.

But something was different. A small ping echoed—not from the PokéDex, but inside his mind. A soft prompt, like a system message:

[You are currently in Route 1. Do you wish to teleport to Johto Region instead?]

Ayan blinked.

Wait, what?

"How did this happen?" But it didn't matter. 

He didn't hesitate. Yes.

The moment he accepted, the world around him broke apart in a swirl of golden particles. His senses momentarily fuzzed, not disoriented—but more like someone switching channels on a screen.

A cool breeze. A different scent to the air—fresher, earthier. The chirp of different bird Pokémon. The distant sound of water flowing over pebbles. He was standing near a wooden trail sign that read:

"Route 29 — New Bark Town to Cherrygrove City."

His jaw slackened.

"Johto…"

The land looked exactly like he remembered from the HeartGold and SoulSilver games—but more real. The grass shimmered under the sunlight, and the shadows of trees stretched long over a gently sloping dirt path. A few Pokémon rustled nearby—he spotted a Sentret peeking curiously from behind a bush, its tail held high.

He took a deep breath. He immediately took out his PokeDex and called Professor Oak. He wanted to see if he could connect him. And surprisingly he did. 

"Hello, Professor Oak.. " 

"Ah Ayan.. Are you okay? Have you encountered any new thing with your power? Did you teleport to see any legendary Pokémon?" Oak asked. Ayan could only roll his eyes in his mind but replied. 

"No Professor, but I did land in New Bark Town by mistake and now trying to find my way back to Viridian City." Ayan lied. Of course he knew how he landed there. 

"Ah New Bark Town.. Professor Elm lives there, and he is a great pioneer of Pokémon evolution. Why don't you go and meet him. I am sure he will love to see you. I will send him a message that an acquaintance of mine is going to meet him. You can also share your thoughts about your condition with him."