First outing

"THIS IS INSANE!"

Pidgey, not to be outdone, chirped loudly and soared up to fly alongside them, flapping hard to keep pace.

Down below, the rest of the team looked up in awe. Cyndaquil's flame flared in excitement, Shinx's eyes followed the twisting sky-dance silently, and Charmander... clenched his tiny fists. Someday I'll fly too. On my own wings. Just you wait.

After what felt like a lifetime suspended in a perfect, heart-racing moment, Gyarados began to descend, spiraling in wide loops before landing gracefully on the grass with a deep rumble. Ayan slid off, legs wobbly, hair blown wild by the wind, a dazed grin stuck to his face.

"That," he gasped, patting the massive neck affectionately, "was the coolest thing I have ever done."

Gyarados gave a proud snort, smoke-like mist curling from his nostrils. 

"Alright—who's next?"

He wasn't surprised when Cyndaquil and Charmander backed up slightly, both shaking their heads. Their instincts recoiled from the sheer wetness of Gyarados' aura.

"No worries," Ayan said, chuckling. "Didn't think fire-types would be that eager."

He glanced at Shinx. She stared up at him for a moment… then padded forward.

"You sure?"

Shinx gave a curt nod and jumped slightly, her front paws catching his thigh as if asking to be lifted. Ayan scooped her up, and with another flick, summoned Gyarados again. The towering serpent returned with a low, expectant growl. And thus for the first time Ayan was able to hold the young Shinx for the first time. He was thanking his freaking stars for giving him this opportunity and able to hold Shinx. 

Shinx too didn't show any discomfort after Ayan held her. 

"Alright, boy," Ayan said, climbing up with Shinx nestled securely in his arm. "One more ride."

This time, Gyarados took a lower altitude, coasting just above the treetops. Shinx dug her claws into his hoodie at first, tense… but slowly began to relax. Her tail sparked softly in delight as she looked over the world from above. It was peaceful. Wind, the sound of wings and water cutting air, and a view that stretched for miles.

They returned to land soon after, and this time, everyone greeted Gyarados like a teammate. Even Charmander offered a hesitant nod of respect.

"You're amazing." Ayan gave Gyarados a pat on its back.

After having the fun of his life, Ayan had decided that it was time to go back home. He had caught a huge Pokémon and he was all too grateful for it. Now he needed to go home and sleep. He was too tired as the adrenaline was finally wearing off. 

After coming back home, he went straight to sleep after relieving himself. 

-----

"Ayan, did you pack the essentials for this trip?" His mother called out as she was checking the bag of her son. Just like in his previous life his mother would always go an extra mile to make sure her son has packed everything required before leaving home for a long time. 

Today was the day Ayan would go for the excursion/outing with his classmates to the Dawki Lake. Since it had a secret dimension, there were a number of hotels, AirBnbs and even dormitories, and the school had booked one for the whole class for one night. 

Ayan adjusted the straps on his backpack—larger than usual to accommodate Poké Balls, snacks, water bottles, a sleeping mat, and a powerbank. He had packed with precision, double-checking every item the night before, and now his mother was doing the final sweep like a field commander.

"Yes, Maa," he called from the hallway, slipping on his shoes. "Everything's in there—snacks, repellents, alarm whistle, extra socks, you name it." His mother finally zipped the bag closed and gave him a satisfied nod. 

"Good. And no wandering off alone, okay? Stay with your group."

"I'm not six anymore."

"You're not immortal either."

Ayan grinned. That line never got old.

Minutes later, he was out the door, waving goodbye as he jogged toward the school gates where a sleek, modern school bus was parked, humming quietly as students loaded up. Uniforms had been traded for casuals, and the air buzzed with excitement and the scent of packed lunches.

"AYAN!"

He turned just in time to see Neil bounding toward him, wearing his cap backward and carrying a camera slung around his neck.

"Dude!" Neil said, panting slightly. "You're not shaking me off today. After your insane luck with the Pigdgey and then... Oddish?! Nah. I'm sticking to you like glue." Ayan just shook his head. If he came to know about the Gyarados he had caught the previous day, he didn't know what the face of Neil would be. 

"You do realize luck doesn't work like a contagious disease, right?"

"Don't care. You're my living Rapidash-shoe now."

They climbed aboard, and within fifteen minutes the bus pulled out, merging onto the highway that snaked toward the Dawki region. Green blurred past the windows, and soon civilization faded behind rolling hills and thick woods. This world though was a parallel earth, it was different in many aspects too.

This world outside cities and towns were much more dangerous. Pokémon's abilities made it sure that even by accident one could die so human lives were much cheaper out in the wild. One could be assassinated easily and no one would know about it. 

Thus out in the wild, it was the law of the jungle. Pokémon were dangerous but humans were more terrifying. Though there roads and proper communication between cities, it didn't mean that people wouldn't venture out of these roads for various reasons. 

The routes were still a bit secure because of surveillance but at the end of the day safety depended upon yourself as the police weren't capable enough to have eyes and ears everywhere, thus any Alliance would also encourage it's citizens to get stronger for better stability in the society, because only strength ruled in this world.