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To The Outside

So you know that trope you would tend to read about some guy or girl going to a different world for some reason or another. Yeah, well I don’t know the reason but it happened to me. But why me I was perfectly fine. Now I’m in a different world trying to make sense of things and not to die. However, I was for some reason given a few powers to help stay alive so there’s that. But since I was given the chance I might as well enjoy it to my upmost abilities. And hey who knows I just might return someday.

Sloro · Video Games
Not enough ratings
26 Chs

Why Is It Always The Woods?

ALL WORKS BELONG TO THEIR ORIGINAL OWNERS!!!! I DO NOT CLAIM OWNERSHIP OVER ANY CHACTER / WORK APART FROM MY OWN ORIGINALS!!!!

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'Talking' (when in 3rd POV or in another's POV)

"Thoughts"

~Highlight~

{system}

*****side note*****

- effects -

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3rd POV:

As Avery opened his eyes to the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of wildlife. The soft earth beneath him and the scent of damp foliage were foreign yet oddly comforting. He sat up, brushing away twigs and leaves that clung to his clothes, feeling a strange sense of disorientation. The trees loomed overhead, their branches weaving a canopy that allowed only flickers of sunlight to penetrate. "Where am I?" he thought, a familiar anxiety creeping in.

He stood up, scanning his surroundings. The forest was dense, the kind of place that could easily swallow a traveler whole. He felt a prickling at the back of his mind, a warning. Something is off here. His memories from the Pokémon world lingered in the back of his mind, but something wasn't right, something else had blurred in his memories, overshadowed by the pressing need to understand his newer reality. The last thing he remembered properly was the use of Lesser Reality Travel, and now he found himself in a realm he somehow knew was populated by monsters and mystery.

Avery took a deep breath and began to walk cautiously. He needed to find clues about this place, newspapers, signs, anything that could anchor him in this unfamiliar time and location. As he meandered through the underbrush, he stumbled upon a soggy half-buried newspaper, its edges frayed. The headline read, ~Mysterious Sightings: The Return of the Titans?~ The date was circled in red: ~August 1998~. His heart raced as he realized he was not just in a different location but also a different time.

'Okay, so it's 1998 and there are Titans. I can work with this,' he muttered while he thought "it's the MonsterVerse" to himself. He had the uncanny ability to recognize the significance of this time, events were unfolding across different universes, and he was right in the midst of it. He needed to figure out not just where he was but also survive, which shouldn't be all to hard. As he walked deeper into the woods, he considered his options: finding a settlement, establishing a base, or seeking out those who might have knowledge about the world he now inhabited. But never finding any real settlements, Avery built his own base of operation

With his skills, he could sell minerals, both rare and common, to earn a living. Geokinesis could serve him well here allowing him to extract valuable ores from the earth or just take it from Nova's Oa, that is of course he could find someone to sell to. He recalled how his mastery in this area could turn him into a local legend: someone who could unearth treasure beneath the soil. Selling these minerals would allow him to acquire funds to buy stocks in companies that would and could be pivotal in the years to come.

Yet, there was a lingering thought in the back of his mind about Nova's Oa. With its door potentially leading to the Pokémon World, he wondered if the fauna from there could somehow escape into this realm. The implications of such an event filled him with both dread and curiosity. If Pokémon were to blend with the Titans, the world would surely face an unprecedented chaos. Would he be able to manage both creatures? That question nagged at him like a persistent itch, driving his need to understand this new reality even deeper.

After several weeks turned into 3 years of surviving in the woods, with his wits and the skills he had honed over the decade in the Pokémon World. Avery came to the conclusion that he wasn't anywhere near civilization and like every other day for the last 3 years he fought to survive may it be against the Titans or Against the Flora that seem to be alive. That was until he felt a shift in the air or rather a suction. It was as if the world around him shifted too, blurring and reshaping. He closed his eyes, bracing himself, and when he opened them again, he found that he was in a completely different location. The surroundings had changed; the trees were now more sparse, and the sounds of the forest echoed with a new urgency but somehow had less dangerous feeling. It was now 2001, and the looming specter of Jurassic Park III hung in the air like a dark cloud.

The change brought with it an unsettling awareness. He spotted remnants of human civilization scattered about, abandoned structures and makeshift camps that hinted at human presence. Newspaper clippings littered the ground, detailing the tumultuous events surrounding the Jurassic Park incidents. Words like ~Chaos~, ~Evacuation~ and ~Isla Sorna~ stood out to him, but didn't feel as if this place was as dangerous as his last location. But something was clear to him and that was that this was a world teetering on the brink of disaster, and he was caught right in the middle of it. The only good thing was that the compass was finally working again and pointing in a certain direction.

Driven by a mix of curiosity and necessity, Avery sought out in the direction of the compass. His abilities in True Linguistic Fluency would serve him well as he navigated interactions, should he encounter someone. As he approached he spotted five people running away from,... velociraptors? And out of what seemed to be an outpost. So Avery chose to follow and wait to see what was really going on, without interacting for now.

Avery POV:

That proved helpful since they ran for 5 minutes before the velociraptor played them and separated them into 2 groups of 1 and 3, the other got caught. But I knew then that there were now 6 people, since a kid helped the man that was circled by velociraptors while the others took to the trees. The worst part is that they weren't aware of what's around them, I mean I was next to the group that hid in the trees but they didn't notice me. So I ditched the idiots since they seemed like people who couldn't carry their weight and most likely to get killed first. Which wasn't wrong since one of them died. 

I stuck to the 2 others, a kid wearing a mask and a grown white male, keeping a safe distance away but still watching them running away until they entered a bunker, as for me I was fine outside there wasn't much that could kill me. The man has a scruffy appearance: tousled dark hair, which has begun to show some gray, and a scruffy beard. While the kid had an athletic build, with shaggy brown hair that adds to his adventurous look.

Now I have very good ears so I was able to pick up on what they were talking about even with the door closed and apparently the kid was stranded 8 weeks ago while the man got stranded today because he had stupid crew. Also found out that their names were Eric Kirby for the kid and Alan Grant for the man. From what I gathered by their conversation was that the parents tricked Dr. Grant to come with his assistant to visit the island but they were really looking for the Eric. Just from observing them, in this short time, I know that both of them have good survival instincts. I lost interest in what they were talking about after some time since the subject drifted off to something else entirely.

Anyway time passed and it was nighttime. Things got a little more lively snakes moving around I trough a few of them away when they slithered on me I might have accidently alerted the 2 in the bunker once since I threw the snake in a bush, making noise and that alone attracted Juravenators. Nasty little things absolutely ripped the snake to shreds until it was their turn as Ornitholestes gobbled them up. There were more but I didn't need to worry so I took a 2 hour nap and waited until daytime as well as the duo in the bunker.

In between the time, after I woke up and them moving, I sent up 2 P.A.C.A.D Satellites and 1 C.A.P.A.D Nexus Hub, further out than normal satellites. I was confident in nobody spotting it on its way to space, since they had cloaking tech which is something more advanced then the current era can compete with. I also brought out my own Custodia named Loreleï as well as Sekiro (H. Zoroark). Only them since I left the rest behind to look after the kids. Nova's Oa also incorporated a door to the Pokémon World but if I go there I am fairly certain that I will get kicked forcebly. 

I also restarted building more of the Christmas Tech I used in the Pokémon World, well I left it to the hexbots so I can keep observing the only one I have from the previous world is the Clipper of the North, the original one. I left a duplicate back in the Pokémon World, but less on that and more on the fact that I am already behind schedule with the list of toys to make but that equals out with the amount of people that deserve coal here. 

By the time I was done with every thing I remained watching and it wasn't long before the duo started moving again. They walked around trying to find a way to the coast but located a rescue boat at the bottom of a cliff instead. But get distracted by the ring of a phone a satellite on going by their conversation. That lead them to the plains where they reunited with the other 3 but found out that their on opposite sides of an enclosure. What they didn't realize was that a Spinosaurus was creeping up on them as I watched it happen from a tree a little ways away but I managed to see them clearly thanks to my ability related to sight and the Ether Gear: Eye of Venus. 

The started to run when they spotted it and managed to get away before it caught back up by breaking trough the enclosure. So they ran some more into a Lookout tower and where they thought they managed to escape it when all it's really doing is playing with it's food. Yeah, Spinosaurus' are arrogant and playful shits I learned that while I was journeying in Nova's Oa. But one thing was for sure Grant was pissed when he found out about eggs that were taken by the guy who seems to be an assistant of his, Billy. Apparently those were velociraptor eggs which explains why a pack of them were chasing them but didn't kill all of them. But Grant kept the eggs probably to use as a bargaining tool against the Raptors. 

When they thought the coast was clear they all left probably because they think they will be able to get to the rescue boat if they leave now, which is stupid since it's midday. All the Dinosaurs are running around trying to get food, but they surprisingly make it to a wonky steel bridge that looked wonky... that was before I looked around 'Were in a damn cage with Pterodactyls' I muttered. As I said that they were making loud noises, these guys are really living the book how to die to dinosaurs 101. 

Grant figured it out at least, it took some time but he figured it out. At least there's one smart person. But even if he figured it out it was a little to late the kid, Eric got swept and carried to a nest of hungry young pterodactyl. I was about to interfere here since I don't really like the idea of children dying because of moronic adults. That was before I saw the guy named Billy jump out of a hole with a parachute, his was to save the kid which he did, who dropped into the water below. But it seemed he couldn't get out of the parachute before he lost control of it and crashed into a wall getting stuck there harassed by pterodactyls. The others all made a run for the exit while Billy was being drifting down the river being dragged down by the water but being pulled up by the dino's. Billy didn't suffer enough injuries to die immediately and the river kept dragging him eventually he will hit the ocean if nothing goes wrong so I won't need to worry. I will keep following the other 4. 

They made it onto the boat and i settled down on the roof of the cabin, they still hadn't noticed yet thanks to Misdirection, it's really useful. Oh and I found out the name of the Mom and Dad their are called, Paul Kirby and Amanda Kirby. They got attracted to the plain of herbivores we drifted by it, was a sight to behold but I have seen better. And by now the sun was lowering but it wasn't night yet, they got attracted to the phone again, which is simply luck at this point like really. Imagine my surprise when I saw the genuine willingness to go poo diving for it this late at night.

They didn't really go to sleep even the kid. But either way I used New Rule to purify the air around me since the 4 reeked of poo. That seemed to alert them, they seemed to notice something different but couldn't quite put their finger on it. Only the kid seemed to see look around carefully before finally spotting me. I told him to - schuss - before he spoke to loudly and warn the other around. He did against his better judgement but kept his eye on me. He only took his eye of me when he seemed to notice something in the water.

The kid only noticed now but I noticed a while ago that we were being circled by the same Spinosaurus from before. So I bounced to the nearby shore to see how they would handle it, I would interfere if it becomes too much for them, so if they are about to die. That's when the chaos started the Spinosaurus attacked the boat and the 4 rushed for the cage but as the Spinosaurus attacked it pierced the fuel barrel, while trying to sick the boat and it sank the 4 tried grabbing the phone. I am assuming someone was on the other side of the line.

Paul somehow managed to get out of the cage and in a desperate attempt to give the others a chance he climbed a sunken crane, why is that even there, but anyway he managed to get it's attention and the other swam out. Grant having a flare gun waited for Paul to jump off and when he did he shot a flare setting the sea ablaze scaring the Spinosaurus away. as for Paul he managed to not get caught up in the flames.

3rd POV:

The scene was chaotic. The fires still smoldered, debris was scattered across the beach, and the remnants of their harrowing escape were visible everywhere. Just as they began to settle from the adrenaline rush, a slow, deliberate clapping echoed across the shore.

-Clap- -Clap- -Clap- -Clap-

'Bravo, what a performance, truly,' Avery said his voice casual yet cutting through the air with unnerving calm. 'The flames, the wreckage, the chaos... How telling!' His tone carried a mixture of amusement and nonchalance.

Paul, Amanda, Dr. Grant, and Eric turned toward the sound, their eyes narrowing in confusion and suspicion.

Eric, standing beside Dr. Grant, looked up in recognition. 'Um, Doctor Grant... he was on the boat with us.' Eric's voice was uncertain, as though even he doubted what he was saying, his gaze fixed on Avery like he was seeing a ghost.

Avery tilted his head slightly and gave a playful nod. 'That's right, Eric. I was on the boat.' His tone was calm, almost too calm for the situation. 'Mr. Grant,' he turned his attention to the paleontologist, 'one question at a time, please. But go on, ask away. I can tell you're all bursting with questions.' His casual demeanor only fueled their confusion and frustration.

Amanda, staring between her son and Avery, frowned. 'You know this man, Eric?' she asked, her voice taut. Her maternal instincts were on high alert.

Eric shook his head. 'Not really. I just saw him on the boat. I looked at him but turned away and when I looked back he was gone.' From there, the group engaged in quick, nervous chatter, trying to piece together Avery's identity.

Grant, more composed than the rest, finally raised a hand to silence the others. 'Alright, enough. Who are you, and how do you know our names?' His eyes were sharp, scrutinizing Avery for any sign of deception.

Avery: 'That's right, Eric, that was indeed me and Mr. Grant one question at a time please.' he could tell a wave of question are about to come so he let it happen for a bit. See if he can gather more information than he already has.

Avery sighed, scratching the back of his neck as if this conversation was a mild inconvenience. 'Fine, if it'll make you feel better. The name's Avery. As for how I got here?' He paused, his eyes flicking upward for a moment as though considering how much he should reveal. 'Let's just say, even I'm not completely sure. Where I'm really from... well, that's a mystery for another time.' He flashed a teasing grin, watching their confused expressions.

Amanda: 'You know this man Eric?' as she looked between her son and me. As eric shook his saying that he just saw me on the boat. From there it useless banter to Avery.

Grant: 'Alright that's enough, you who are you and how do you know our names?' as he address to Avery. He noted their growing frustration, especially with his non-answers, so he added, 'As for how I know your names? Well, I've been keeping an eye on you for the past few days. Since the... velociraptor incident that took one of you, the balding guy,' he said casually, waving his hand as if it was a minor inconvenience.

That got their attention. 'You've been watching us?' Amanda gasped, horrified. Paul, wide-eyed, muttered, 'Are you saying you've been following us since we got here?'

Avery shrugged. 'You weren't exactly subtle, talking loudly while running for your lives.' His tone was slightly mocking but not cruel. 'You're safe with me, for now. But,' he pointed at the bag Dc. Grant had, 'you are going to give those eggs back. They're not yours to keep.' His tone sharpened, a serious undertone slipping through his otherwise casual demeanor. The group froze, looking down at the raptor eggs. Their situation had just grown even more complicated.

Without waiting for a response, Avery turned and began walking ahead. 'Come on,' he called over his shoulder, 'unless you want another round with the locals. It's sunrise. You've got about an hour before this area gets dangerous. Dinosaurs need to drink after all.' With not much of any other choice, the group hurried to follow him, exchanging nervous glances along the way.

Avery POV:

As we walked through the thick brush, they bombarded me with questions. I humored them, answering some while dodging others. It was a delicate balance, giving them just enough to keep them curious without revealing too much.

'So you've just been here... watching us?' Grant pressed.

'Yup,' I replied, popping the "p" at the end for emphasis. 'Figured I'd let you figure some things out for yourselves. After all, it's not every day you see normal people manage to survive this long out here.' The mention of the word normal was something only Eric seemed to noticed. Amanda scowled at me. 'You could've helped.' I shrugged. 'Could've. Didn't. As far as i'm concerned you guys being here wasn't really an accident you deliberately looked for trouble.' Before they could ask another question, I stopped in my tracks. Suddenly becoming aware of something.

'Oh my,' I muttered, scanning the trees. 'What is it?' Eric asked, his voice carrying a little curiosity. Everyone stopped, suddenly on edge. 'Shh. Be quiet,' I whispered, holding up a hand. 'If you want to live, follow my lead.' They hesitated but obeyed. After all, I had led them this far without getting them killed. We moved quietly, with me leading the way.

The tension in the air thickened as we navigated the trees until finally, we reached a clearing. I stopped and gestured toward the horizon. 'The ocean's that way,' I said. They stared at me like I was crazy. But when I waved them off, they continued onward, albeit cautiously. I, however, took to the trees, climbing swiftly to keep an overhead watch.

3rd POV:

As Avery watched from the canopy, the group stumbled upon another dangerous situation. They had unknowingly walked straight into a velociraptor ambush. The raptors encircled them, snarling and communicating with sharp, guttural calls. Avery, high in the trees, didn't intervene. He had seen this play out in many ways before. 'They'll figure it out,' he muttered to himself, staying still.

Sure enough, with a bit of quick thinking, they gave back the eggs, and Grant mimicked a raptor call using the flute looking thing he had in his bag. The raptors, convinced that the humans were no longer a threat, prioritized the call for help. With a final snarl, they retreated into the jungle, taking the eggs with them.

The group, visibly shaken but alive, resumed their run toward the ocean. By the time they reached the shore, the sun illuminated a figure sitting calmly on a rock, Avery. Amanda stormed toward him, fury blazing in her eyes, ready to lash out. But before she could, something caught her attention. Soldiers emerged from the shore line, along with a man waving at them with a microphone. The cavalry had arrived well kind of Avery was all that was needed to survive. 'They have a surprise for you,' Avery called out, grinning as a helicopter descended toward the beach.

From there, everyone boarded the helicopter. Grant, stunned and relieved to see Billy alive, nodded at Avery. As they all took their seats, preparing for takeoff, Avery leaned back, his eyes twinkling with mischief. 'See? Told you there'd be a surprise. How were the raptors by the way?' The others, still processing everything, could only exchange weary glances as the chopper rose into the sky. Reminding Amanda that she was still pissed.

They were visibly tired but still wanted to ask a few more questions which I answered if they weren't to information prying. We did have a few hours before we reach the Costa Rica. And as the helicopter ascended, the rush of air from the rotor blades drowned out the noise of the jungle below. For a few moments, there was silence between the group, no one was sure what to say. They all glanced at each other, clearly relieved to have survived the nightmare that was Isla Sorna, yet unnerved by the man sitting casually among them: Avery.

Dr. Grant broke the silence first, his voice calm but filled with curiosity. 'So, Avery... you've been watching us, but you never said why. What exactly are you doing here? And how did you even get to the island in the first place?'

Avery leaned back, adjusting his seat belt with casual ease. 'Ah, the million-dollar question,' he began, his tone light. 'Let's just say... I have a knack for ending up in interesting places at interesting times. As for how I got here, well... let's say I've been traveling for a while.'

Amanda frowned, folding her arms across her chest. 'That's not an answer. You're dodging the question.'

 

'You're right,' Avery said, smiling faintly, 'but some things are better left unexplained. Trust me, you wouldn't believe the truth even if I told you.'

Paul, still processing everything, chimed in, 'Are you like... some kind of secret agent? Is that why you've been so vague this whole time?'

Avery laughed, shaking his head. 'Nope, no secret agent. I'm not with the government, and I'm not on a secret mission. Let's just say I'm... a traveler that has seen some things.' He shot them a glance, watching their reactions.

Dr. Grant, always the rational one, squinted. 'Seen things? What's that supposed to mean?'

Avery held up a hand. 'It's a figure of speech... sort of. But let's not dwell on that right now. What's important is that you're safe, and that's what matters, isn't it? You survived Isla Sorna.' The group went silent again, clearly uneasy but unwilling to push further. The events on the island had left them shaken, and pressing Avery for answers felt like opening a door they weren't quite ready to open. After a few more moments, Amanda spoke up again. 'So... what's your plan now?'

Avery glanced out the window, watching the ocean shimmer beneath the helicopter. 'I'll probably head into Costa Rica with you. From there, well, we'll see. Might stick around, might not. Like I said, I go where things are... interesting.'

Eric, who had been quiet until now, leaned forward. 'Did you know this was going to happen? With the raptors, I mean.'

Avery turned his gaze toward the teenager, his expression softening slightly. 'In a way, yes. Let's just say I'm familiar with how these things tend to play out. As for the raptors I know how they can behave.'

Eric's brow furrowed. 'But... how? I mean, this kind of thing doesn't happen every day.'

Avery chuckled. 'You'd be surprised, Eric. You'd be very surprised.'

Dr. Grant crossed his arms, his analytical mind racing. 'You say you're familiar with these situations. Does that mean you've been to places like this before? Other dangerous locations?'

Avery just lightly said. 'You could say that. Dangerous places, different times, different worlds... I've seen a lot of strange things.' 

Grant's skepticism was palpable. 'I'm a scientist, and I deal in facts. What you're suggesting... it's impossible.' Avery responded with a smile 'Improbable not impossible.' Avery smiled faintly. 'Don't worry. I'm not here to cause you any trouble. I'll handle it.'

Avery POV:

When we finally landed in Costa Rica, the sun was setting. The golden light bathed the coast in an ethereal glow, and for a moment, I felt a pang of nostalgia. It had been years, well years in this timeline, since I'd seen a proper, clear and peaceful sunset like this. Everything seemed worlds away now, though the group's tension was still palpable.

As we stepped off the helicopter, we were met by a small team of local authorities, government officials, and what looked like military personnel. Clearly, word had gotten out about the survivors of Isla Sorna. The officials approached cautiously, clearly expecting us to be in shock. Amanda and Paul immediately began talking with one of the officers, explaining what little they could without sounding insane.

The others cast occasional glances my way, unsure of what I would do. I could tell they were worried about how I'd handle the questions. I wasn't exactly a registered person in this world, after all.

'Identification, please,' one of the officers said, his tone firm but not unkind. He turned to me, waiting. 'Ah, yes, identification,' I said, fishing through my pockets theatrically before pulling out... absolutely nothing. 'Seems I've misplaced my ID during the chaos,' I added with a grin. The officer raised an eyebrow, not amused. 'Name?'

'Avery. Just Avery.' That's all I said no need for more. The officer was even less amused. 'Last name?'

I shrugged. 'Leave it blank. Since I haven't used one in a while. You can just put me down as a traveler.' The officer's frown deepened, and he looked me up and down like I was hiding something. To be fair, I was. But there was no need for him to know that and it wasn't like he would be able to tell. Dr. Grant, who was standing nearby, sighed and stepped in. 'He... helped us. We wouldn't have made it out without him.'

The officer's gaze shifted between us, clearly skeptical but willing to let it slide for now. 'We'll need to debrief all of you,' he said, waving for his colleagues to bring over forms for us to fill out. As we were led toward a waiting area, Amanda leaned over to me and whispered, 'What's your real story?' I gave her a sly smile. 'I already told you. I'm just a traveler.'

The truth was, I didn't need them to know. My journey wasn't about fitting into their world's bureaucracy. I had my own path to follow, and this little detour into their lives was just another step in a much larger adventure. As they busied themselves with the paperwork, I glanced out toward the horizon. There were still so many worlds left to explore, and so many mysteries yet to uncover. But for now, I needed to play along. After all, there was always another surprise just around the corner.

As we settled into the waiting area after the debriefing, I noticed the sideways glances the others were giving me. The whole situation had been strange enough for them, but now I was about to make it a little weirder. After all, there was no point in hiding my skills any longer. I'd help them survive, and besides, I wasn't planning on sticking around in their lives for too long. If they didn't want me to.

'Well,' I said, clapping my hands together as I approached the Costa Rican officials who had been dealing with us. 'It's time to handle some paperwork.'

'What do you mean?' Amanda asked, her voice laced with curiosity and caution. 'I need some legal documentation. Nothing too fancy, just papers that say I exist in this world.' Dr. Grant raised an eyebrow, but before he could ask what I meant, I pulled a small, intricately carved box from my coat. Inside were a few chunks of pure raw gold, simple, unassuming yet undeniably valuable.

The officer I approached blinked in surprise. 'Gold?' he asked, clearly taken aback by the offer. I nodded, grinning. 'Yes, I'm sure this will speed things up, no? I'd like legal papers, a phone, and anything else I might need for identification. Shouldn't take too long if we expedite the process.'

The officer's surprise shifted into interest, and within moments he excused himself to consult with someone higher up. The others stared at me, half confused, half fascinated. Paul couldn't seem to resist, and finally blurted out, 'You're seriously paying for legal documents with gold? It's not a place meant for that kind of thing.' I shrugged. 'Why not? It's universally accepted, has inherent value, and I don't have time to go through the normal bureaucratic grind. This way, it'll take no more than two hours.' Amanda crossed her arms, looking at me with suspicion. 'Where did you even get gold like that?'

'Let's just say I have my ways,' I replied with a wink. 'There's a lot more where that came from.'

True to my words, the process didn't take long. After a few discussions and exchanges, I walked out of the building two hours later with everything I needed: legal papers, a brand-new phone, and a set of ID cards that would keep me out of trouble in this world. The others waited for me, clearly curious, but I could sense their reluctance to ask too many questions.

'Well, that's settled,' I said, flipping the ID card, Avery D. Traveler, between my fingers. 'So, we'll be going our separate ways now, I assume. But it might not be a bad idea to keep in touch.' Dr. Grant nodded thoughtfully. 'Given the... unusual circumstances, yes, that seems wise.'

We exchanged contact information. I gave them my new number and email, both of which I set up through the documents I had just received. Eric seemed the most eager to stay in touch, his eyes wide with curiosity about the whole situation. I couldn't blame him, teenagers are naturally curious, and this had been far from a normal experience for him.

As we went our separate ways, I found myself alone in a rented room not far from the coast. The moment I was alone, I messed with the phone and powered it up. The first thing I did was dive into research. First, I needed to understand the specifics of this world better and the second thing I did was revise my ID. While I knew the general layout from past experiences, getting up-to-date information was crucial. 

I spent hours reading about the state of Masrani Global, Apex Cybernetics, InGen, and hacked my way into Monarch. These companies were pivotal to the events that were to come, particularly Masrani, which was heavily involved with the Jurassic Park legacy. If I played my cards right, I could position myself to take advantage of their rise. Investing was easy; after all, I had more than enough rare materials to convert into capital.

I then revised the ID I as given, apart from my name. It was listed that I was born in 1990, 1st of January making me 11 years old. Made sense to think I was born then since I was smaller than average, which sucks but I was still with. Also I was apparently Costa Rican even if I didn't look the part. But with my age it meant that I had to go to school which sucks since it would be useless to me.

Over the next few years, I played the stock market like a Grand-Master chess player, positioning myself to acquire shares in Masrani Global and Apex Cybernetics. By the time 2002 rolled around, I had accumulated enough wealth to live comfortably, and my investments in Masrani were starting to pay off. Their plans to rebuild Jurassic Park, under the new name Jurassic World, were already being whispered about in the corporate circles. Oh,... and that I immediately graduated from school in Costa Rica, from Primary to Upper Secondary, from there I decided to move to the U.S.. 

I made sure to secure a direct line to the company, leveraging my growing influence to gain an invitation to the opening whenever it happened. Meanwhile, I kept an eye on Monarch. They were always searching for creatures like Godzilla and other Titans, and while I knew they would play a significant role in the future, I had no intention of getting involved with them just yet.

By 2005, my investments were doing exceedingly well, and I had more money than I knew what to do with, so I decided to travel and do other things with it. That year brought with it something far more interesting than financial gain. I was researching some obscure geological reports when I came across a note about strange disturbances near the Yunnan Rainforest in China.

I traveled there immediately, arriving under the guise of a wealthy investor curious about the local economy, I did try doing things low key. What I found was far more than a mere economic opportunity. In a hidden valley deep within the jungle, I stumbled upon something extraordinary: a massive cocoon, pulsating with energy and barely hidden beneath layers of earth. Thanks Monarch, I mean they only have the beginning of notes on it.

'A Titanus Mosura cocoon,' I whispered, realizing exactly what I had found. This wasn't just any cocoon, it was the current Mothra, one of the legendary creatures that had roamed the Earth long before humanity's rise. Yeah finding ancient texts about titans was easy they are literally everywhere. I didn't linger for long. Monarch would catch wind of this eventually, and I had no intention of being there when they arrived. I left the area quickly, but not without taking a few selfies and samples for future research. I sent the selfies to Doctor Grant to prove the chances of something being 'improbable' not impossible.

The feeling of unease gnawed at me as I made my way back to civilization. The discovery of Mothra's cocoon was huge, and it meant that the Titans were starting to stir once again. Monarch would surely find it soon, and that meant that everything was about to change. The balance of power in the world was shifting again, and I wasn't sure what role I wanted to play in the coming chaos. Maybe I can participate in the fighting.

I stood on the edge of the jungle, glancing back one last time before turning toward the coast. The wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the faint echoes of something ancient, something powerful. But I didn't want to dwell on that. I had to prepare. The future was coming, and it was filled with monsters.

As a bonus, I decided to play Santa during the years. Why not? The whole concept was amusing, and I had the means to pull it off. Happy children, laughter spreading across the globe, it was an oddly peaceful day, even for the ancient beings that usually stirred beneath the surface of this world. It was as if my actions had momentarily calmed the very forces of nature. The children woke up to gifts from an unknown benefactor, their parents utterly bewildered. The mystery of how someone could slip into their homes unnoticed, breaking and entering, no less. It left some thinking it was a fluke, a figment of their imagination. But the joy on the kids' faces made it all worth it. On the other hand the 27th of December the police station was bombarded by those paranoid.

In a way, playing Santa and attending that party were small gestures to reconnect with the more mundane aspects of this world. Even though I wasn't of this world, I couldn't help but feel a strange connection to it, one that was growing stronger with each passing day. The monsters, the legends, and the looming disasters would always be there, but for now, there was still time for laughter and joy, however fleeting.

Eric's birthday rolled around not long after my excursions, and to my surprise, I found myself invited. I wasn't exactly the "birthday party" type, but I went anyway. There was something satisfying about seeing him surrounded by people who cared for him, a sharp contrast to me.

I brought a gift, nothing extravagant, just a book of dinosaurs, all of them with proper information to remind him of our strange but unforgettable adventure. I also got him two other books: one on Titans and the other on the more 'more fictional side of beings'. But that aside the books provide him with a map leading to a secluded spot on Isla Sonar and it would lead to the door, that's if he figures it out. 

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