Aoki used the system to scan the data of his Pokémon one by one, carefully analyzing their growth from previous battles.
Swampert had fought the most battles, reaching level 38. Similarly, Politoed had also seen numerous battles, evolving from Poliwhirl and Aoki even found and captured a stubborn Horsea with the Swift Swim ability.
Meanwhile, Gengar and Drapion had also gained experience, though not as extensively. Their levels had risen to 49.
Slowking and Florges, however, showed no significant level increase. Slowking preferred to observe rather than engage, acting as a calm overseer during battles. Florges, on the other hand, had taken on a supportive role, ensuring Swampert and Politoed could fight without hesitation. Her presence was a reassurance, allowing them to battle recklessly without fear of lasting harm.
Now, with Politoed fully evolved and Horsea obediently following, Aoki prepared to leave Lake Valor. The lake had been truely fortunate for him—his Politoed had evolved, he had finally found a Porygon, his psychic abilities had advanced, and he had even gained a strong Horsea.
But just as he turned to leave, a spatial rift tore open above the lake, and an Unown emerged.
The three symbols on Aoki's wrist—'A', 'D', and 'Z'—burned faintly, alerting him to the Unown's presence.
This one bore the letter 'C'.
Aoki frowned. "The letter 'C'?"
Unlike the Unown already bound to him, this one seemed unafraid, indifferent to its companions on his wrist. Instead, it gestured toward the rift, as if beckoning him forward.
Peering into the distortion, Aoki glimpsed something beyond—an island, suspended in another dimension.
His mind raced. Was this the reverse world? A pocket dimension created by Dialga or Palkia? But Celestic Town's ancient texts suggested the dimensional boundaries were closer there, not here at Lake Valor.
Still, after a moment's hesitation, Aoki decided to follow.
He didn't fully trust the Unown, but his recent luck had been undeniable. His psychic senses, now sharper, detected no immediate danger. And if the Unown had wanted to harm him, they'd had plenty of opportunity before.
With Slowking at his side, Aoki stepped forward, his psychic energy allowing him to walk across the water's surface.
Reaching the rift, he extended a hand, his psychic power forming a protective barrier. The moment his fingers touched the spatial tear, the symbols on his wrist flared—and the rift widened.
Stepping through, Aoki found himself standing on an island far larger than he had first assumed, easily dwarfing Lake Valor.
Unown 'C' floated beside him, guiding him forward.
The space itself was strange—a gray void surrounded the island, yet sunlight bathed the land as if it were part of the normal world. Trees stood tall, bushes rustled with movement, and Pokémon roamed freely, unaware they existed in a pocket dimension.
"Is this… connected to Lake Valor?" Aoki mused. "The sunlight feels the same. Could this be a reflection?"
The Unown nudged him onward, deeper into the forest.
Aoki complied, Slowking following silently. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ N0velFire.ɴet
The air hummed with unseen energy, the ground solid beneath his feet. This place was no illusion—it was real, yet separate. A self-contained ecosystem.
Like Neverland, untouched by time.