In a story, there are no "beginnings". Otherwise we'd go back to the roots of Adam and Eve, no… In a a story, there is only a hook. An inciting incident that propels the main events into motion. This is that hook, where our journey begins. The boy, not even a man dropped into the world he's obsessed with. His comfortable dream turned into his new reality. It's quite funny, isn't it? After all, fantasy is the unreal presented as real.

What he does next, will determine his survival. His faith, his character.

What happened over the next three hours was oddly enough, a bit more calm than what you'd believe. Not counting the screaming, shock and confusion that occurred once I woke up. Remembering how I toppled with a startled shout once I saw what seemed to be a Emolga being carried by a patient passing by. Nurse Joy, turns out that is her name… Believed I was still suffering from shock, or undergoing a panic attack.

I've never experienced one before, but l wouldn't be surprised if I was at that time. After I got some water and confirmed I was physically fine, she proceeded to ask me a multitude of questions once I was composed enough to answer them. She was, surprisingly patient. Then again, she is a medical professional after all.

Oh my god, I was talking to a fictional character.

What she asked me were basic stuff, my name, my age, whenever or not I had any relatives or so on. I wasn't sure if I should answer honestly, but my ID held more proof than anything I could have said.

They knew I wasn't from here. God, my heart was pounding once she left the room. For a while, I stared down at the floor between my feet. I wasn't sure how long it is, all I was still processing my situation. It all seemed so unreal. So fantastical, so strange…

"This isn't real. This, this isn't right. Why me? Why am I here? This is such a mess, a weird dream. But, Pokémon… I'm in a world filled with Pokémon." Slowly but surely, I walked over to the window. My hand, shaking… Tried opening the blinds. This is, the world of Pokémon... Reddish-orange sunlight came coming through the window, my eyes squinting for a few seconds prior to widening. If this was anything like the anime, they would've been comparable to dinner plates in size.

I had never seen anything like it. They clouded the skies and streets of a bustling metropolis, it wasn't any city I knew, obviously. It looked busy, with tons of people filling it's streets. But my attention was directed elsewhere.

Seeing Pokémon, real Pokémon was an experience. My anxieties and worries, about how did I get here or where is here quickly took a full backseat as I was struck with sheer fantastical joy. I mean, could you blame me? It's odd, yet somehow I got over the fear pretty quickly. I'm not sure why myself, maybe it's how I was safely looking at them through glass? Eventually I stepped back, before thinking about what would've been happening at home by now at this point. Everyone, they're probably freaking out right now aren't they? Worried sick, thinking I may have ran away o-or got myself kidnapped.

Would I ever see them again? Will I ever see them again?

… Am I stuck here? Strangely enough, such an idea didn't strike as much dread in me as it should have. I mean, should it? Out of all places, the world of Pokémon wasn't the worst place you can get dropped into right? It's no Evangelion or Akame Ga Kill, where you either turn into orange juice or become fodder for meaningless shock value. It's almost ironic how, not too long ago… I was thinking about what it'd be like if I was here.

"It seems, way too much of a coincidence. Doesn't it?" These conflicting feelings ran deep, like a jagged knife twisting in my guts.

My hand pressed on the window's warm glass, sensation proving my existence. I'm in a fictional world I'm so intimately familiar with, so question is, what am I gonna do now? Go on a journey? Try to go and "catch 'em all", if you will? A scenario like this could only exist in a story right?

Maybe I am in a story, and this is merely the inciting incident, if you will. Yes, in most stories there's an event that rips the main character away from their comfortable or old life, causing them to go on the "hero's journey". I could list dozens of examples at the top of my head. As the universe itself wanted to confirm my suspicions, I hear the door open. My head turned, confusion turned into awestruck at a pin's drop.

"Mr. Martin, if I presume?" The one who spoke, there was no doubt about it. It was him, "You're the Pokémon Professor!" I exclaimed, raising a finger. The person who you see every single time you start off Pokémon "Red" or Pokémon "Blue", the man who has introduced millions into this world. Professor Oak, grandfather of the first generation's main rival. Without a doubt, it was him. Although, he seemed a bit younger than I would imagine. He was old, but his facial features seemed a bit rugged rather than wrinkly. Sharp cheekbones and a square-cut jaw, a bit rounded out with age. His hair wasn't grey, but his roots were showing signs of turning. If I were to make a guess, he would've been in his late forties than anything. There was something about his appearance that was easy on the eyes, like he could get along with just about anyone. A comforting presence, one you'd find in a family member you could trust.

It made me wonder if I had been dropped in here at any point before "canon".

"Oh hoh, seems the name Okido must be well known where you're from." Taken aback for a short bit, before laughing it off. Okido...? Not Oak? Wait, wasn't Okido the Japanese version of his name? Once I've caught a slight accent that was enveloping his voice, it became clear. So not everything from the games or dubbed anime translated into this world. I did know that the Kanto region was based off of the real world Kanto from a YouTube video, so Oak-Okido, is Japanese. It was rather fascinating seeing him up in person, I must've had my mouth agape because he'd point it out a second later.

"Now young man, it's not polite to keep your mouth open like that when someone's talking to you."

"O-oh, sorry! It's… I didn't expect… Are you here, because of me?" I asked, my arm lowering itself as I spoke. The professor cupped his chin with a hand, "What do you think?" he'd respond throwing me off a bit. I took a second to answer is question, breathing out afore saying. "W-Well, you already know I'm not from here. Why else would you of all people, visit a stranger's hospital bed?"

.

..

…

"That's a good point!" Satisfied, he'd let out a hum as he enthusiastically lifted a finger. My head turned to the side, looking at him curiously. Seems he's as eccentric as I remember him being.

"I'm sure you must've been through quite a lot. I must say, please if you'll come with me for a second. Preferably not in your hospital gown." Ah, right! Grabbing my washed clothes and having the curtain used to keep my privacy, I hurriedly started changing. Not wanting to keep him waiting any further. Once that was done, we both exited my hospital room. Exposing me to what laid beyond it, my heart was noisy. Fists were clenched as I tried hiding my nervousness.

Eyes darting around whenever I caught a Pokémon or person with brightly coloured hair near my line of sight. The hospital's interior itself was what you'd expect. There were fliers, adverts and signs representing stuff that's exclusive to this world. Whenever I had the time, I'd take a look to read through it as quickly as I can before the professor would outpace me. Getting a better insight on how things work around here, fascinatingly enough, they were all in English.

Me and the professor would enter what seemed like a room straight out of science fiction, monitors and lab equipment were spread out. Standing in said room were about two other people, a tall man dressed like he's a 1938 detective and a woman wearing a lab-coat. I was more focused on the woman, however. Unlike Okido, she had a youthful "spunky" vibe to her. Her well-developed adult curves, green skirt and hazelnut hair curled into a bun pretty much told me who this was. Professor Jupiter, from the fifth Generation.

"Ah, so he arrives! My name's Professor Jupiter, welcome to the Unova region." Awkwardly, I gave a hello and a wave. Guess that answers the question on where exactly I am. Taking another look around, I asked what was currently on my mind.

"Um, what is this exactly?"

"That's what we're here to discuss." The trench-coat wearing man said, cutting himself in. His expression totally serious, practically a stone-wall.

"Mr. Martin, I'm an officer of the International Police. My codename, Looker. You're a bit far from home young man, this may be a bit of a surprise question for you…

But what do you know about alternate universes?"

Excuse me?