Walking out of the deep mountains, Paul, Ash, and their party arrived at a vast prairie. This was a famous conservation area. The Pokémon League had clear laws and regulations prohibiting trainers from catching Pokémon here. For generations, people here had raised wild Pokémon in this natural environment, making them much stronger than those found near urban areas.
* It's a pity that no matter how good they are, they can't be captured, * Paul thought, uninterested.
Following Tomiko, a girl they met on the road, they came to a local village to resupply. Paul resolutely abandoned Ash and the others, who wanted to stay in the village to play and take part in a celebration, setting off on the road alone. Passing through the grassland reserve, one could enter the Safari Zone where catching Pokémon was permitted, which was Paul's true destination.
Walking through the prairie, Paul finally reached the edge of the wild, wooded Safari Zone. But as soon as he entered, he bumped into Officer Jenny from the conservation area.
"Hands up! Are you a poacher?" Officer Jenny held a shotgun, looking sternly at Paul.
"Isn't this the Safari Zone? And did you see me catching any Pokémon?" Paul raised his hands, dumbfounded.
"Eh? Isn't it?" Officer Jenny lowered her weapon, glancing at the Pokédex Paul was holding.
Just like that, before he even caught a Pokémon, Paul found himself on Officer Jenny's bad side. Her jeep ride back to her camp for questioning was wild. * The driving skills of the Jenny family are certainly something else, * Paul mused grimly.
Feeling thoroughly shaken, Paul decided he would never accept a free ride from an Officer Jenny again. Fortunately, after confirming his identity, Officer Jenny didn't give him further trouble.
"This area near the entrance is a protected zone for the Dratini line. So please be careful not to catch Pokémon nearby," Officer Jenny reminded him tirelessly.
"Yes, yes, yes," Paul replied, speechless. * Dragon types are rare in Kanto, but Dragonite isn't on my target list right now. You don't have to guard me like a thief, right? *
In the end, despite Paul's repeated polite refusals, Officer Jenny insisted on driving him closer to the main hunting grounds within the Safari Zone.
"Thank you, Officer Jenny... ugh," Paul waved weakly, feeling nauseous as she drove off.
"Please don't mention it! If you have any difficulties, find an Officer Jenny!" she called back, saluting handsomely before departing.
"Okay, finally arrived at the Safari Zone proper. Let me explore," Paul said, rubbing his wrists.
Click! An old, gray haired cowboy quietly put the barrel of a revolver against Paul's forehead.
Paul frowned, clearly annoyed. * It's endless, right? *
"Machamp, go!" Paul threw a Poké Ball. Simultaneously, Gengar emerged from Paul's shadow, positioning itself behind him.
Bang! Bang! The old man pulled the trigger without hesitation. Gengar's eyes flashed blue; its powerful Psychic stopped the bullets in mid air, letting them clatter harmlessly to the ground.
Machamp quickly grabbed the old cowboy, its strength easily locking the man firmly in place.
" * I really hate it when someone points a gun at my head! * " Paul said calmly, his eyes cold.
"Damn it, let me go! I'm Kaiser, the manager of this Safari Zone! Did you hear me!" The old man, restrained by Machamp, spat defiantly, showing no sign of yielding.
"Oh, you don't repent, right? Machamp, tie him up and hang him from a tree. We're going to catch some new Pokémon," Paul waved his hand indifferently. * I can handle this old man. *
"Wait!" Old Kaiser lowered his head, his face sullen. "I shouldn't have pointed a gun at you. Please forgive me."
Paul nodded in satisfaction, clapping his hands to signal Machamp to release the old man. Then he found two chairs, and they sat down in Kaiser's management room for a chat.
"Old man, you're getting on in years. Listen to my advice, don't be so hot headed and murderous all the time. It's not good for you, oh," Paul said, noticing Kaiser was still patting his chest. He took out a bottle of lemonade and passed it over.
"Huh. You don't understand!" Kaiser took a sip of lemonade and sighed. "This is the Safari Zone. Every year, many Pokémon trainers come here to catch Pokémon. Some obey the rules, but many are greedy."
"So you expect to scare them off with guns?" Paul looked at the old man speechlessly.
Kaiser nodded as if it were obvious. "To protect this place, I'll shoot without hesitation, no matter who it is. Besides, how many people are like you, unafraid when looking down the barrel of a gun, and still resisting violently?"
"I don't know, but I know a few people who aren't afraid of guns. If you shot at them, you'd end up meeting a grim fate," Paul said with a slight smile.
"What kind of end?" Kaiser looked skeptically at Paul. With his trusty revolver, the old man had managed the Safari Zone for decades. He thought he had seen everything.
Paul tilted his head, thinking of the darker side of trainers like Sabrina, and couldn't help a slight shiver. "Probably, the gun fired in the morning, the shooter was found cold by noon, and the body was buried by afternoon."
Kaiser rolled his eyes. "Get outta here. People with that kind of strength wouldn't be interested in the Pokémon in this Safari Zone!"
Paul nodded in agreement. That statement was generally true. Usually, Safari Zones, while having many types of wild Pokémon of excellent quality, didn't host exceptionally rare species.
Except, perhaps, for the Safari Zone here in Kanto. Paul looked up at a photo hanging on the wall. "Is that a Dratini?"
"Hmph! There are no Dratini here!" Kaiser suddenly roared, his face contorted.
Paul stood up, grabbing his Safari Balls and fishing rod. Putting both hands on the table, he looked at Kaiser seriously.
"First of all, this is the Safari Zone. It is legal for me to encounter and catch Pokémon here. Secondly, I dislike your behavior of treating wild Pokémon as your personal property."
"What do you know!" Kaiser yelled loudly, looking at Paul without fear. "I will never cause trouble for the Dratini line again!"
"Hmph. Do you think that just by denying there are Dratini here, you can protect them forever?" Paul looked at Kaiser disdainfully. "Rumors about Dratini inhabiting this Safari Zone have been circulating for a long time. Today it was me who came. If villains like Team Rocket come tomorrow, what do you think will happen if they capture a Dratini?"
"I won't let them take it!" Kaiser said angrily.
"You're getting old. Do you think what you're saying is realistic?" Paul looked intently at Kaiser. "Dratini is a Pokémon with a long lifespan and growth cycle. If you keep it sheltered in this carefree environment, what happens after you're gone? How will it face the world's greed and malice towards it?"
"I... I don't know," Kaiser lowered his head in frustration.
"Let it go, old man," Paul patted Kaiser on the shoulder. "Instead of hoarding your affection for the Dratini, it's better to let it follow its destiny and embark on a journey with a reliable and strong trainer. That would be the best decision for it."
Ignoring the old man lost in confusion and contemplating life, Paul picked up the container of Safari Balls, hummed a tune, and walked through the gate into the Safari Zone proper.
* "On the other side of the mountain and the other side of the sea, there is a group of Tauros, they are lively and smart..." * Paul hummed, looking at the scenery of the Safari Zone with great interest.
At the same time, two figures in black Team Rocket combat uniforms sneaked towards the management office.
"Moo!" A large herd of burly Tauros rushed aggressively towards Paul, kicking up a large cloud of dust.
"This is a specialty of the Safari Zone, Tauros, isn't it?" Paul tilted his head, looking amused.
"Forget it, let's leave them alone," Paul shook his head, deciding not to catch a Tauros. * Ash will probably end up catching the whole herd anyway, so I shouldn't interfere with the Tauros family reunion at Professor Oak's lab. *
Continuing his walk, Paul spotted two Nidorino and Nidorina, clearly a couple, in his path.
"Take this Safari Ball!" Annoyed by their sweet display, Paul directly threw a ball and subdued the Nidorino. Safari Balls remaining: 29.
Under Nidorina's puzzled gaze, Paul picked up the Safari Ball containing Nidorino and turned to leave.
* Nidorina: You take my mate away! You jerk! *
Paul paused. "Okay, I'll reluctantly accept you too."
Nidorina trotted forward eagerly and practically jumped into Paul's offered Safari Ball. Safari Balls remaining: 28.
* What is this wave of operations called? It's called understanding Pokémon dynamics. Catching the Nidorino was the goal, but if Nidorino found out his partner didn't come along, it might cause problems later. So, is there an issue with Nidorina actively seeking capture? No problem at all. * Paul smirked. Besides, did anyone really think Paul didn't strategize before catching Pokémon? His Pokédex was always ready.
"Nidorino, Attribute: Poison. Energy level 36. Ability: Hustle! Nidorina, Attribute: Poison. Energy level 35. Ability: Poison Point!"
These two only needed a bit more training and a Moon Stone each to be battle ready. Of course, the Nidorino with its Hustle ability had the potential to become a main force member. The Nidorina, with relatively balanced stats… Paul considered Nidorina's potential. * Hmm, well, she can be responsible for breeding! *
After successfully catching the Nido pair, Paul felt his catching streak was improving. The next step was to find a Pokémon he favored more. After some searching, Paul finally found his target behind a huge camphor tree: three lovely Marill!
"Eat my Safari Balls, you guys!" Three balls flew from Paul's hands, successfully hitting two of them. Safari Balls remaining: 26.
Picking up the Safari Balls, Paul followed his usual routine: scan them.
"Marill, Attribute: Water. Energy level: 35. Ability: Thick Fat. Marill, Attribute: Water. Energy level: 35. Ability: Huge Power!"
Paul decisively released the Marill with Thick Fat. He knelt down and gently patted its large tail. "Sorry, please wait for your destined trainer. Accept this food as a small gift."
Leaving a rice ball for the released Marill, Paul continued his search.
While Paul was busy, Old Kaiser was already tied up tightly by the two Team Rocket members back at the management office.
"You old man sure are tough," Cassidy, the one with golden twin tails, slapped the table angrily.
"Tch. Such a pretty woman, but such a bad temper," Kaiser tilted his head and whistled softly.
"Oh! Great minds think alike!" The green haired Butch patted the old man's shoulder knowingly. * You understand me! *
Cassidy scowled at Butch. "Work harder! If we don't get results, Boss Giovanni will give up on us!" * Honestly, * she thought, * this team's unreliability is comparable to Jessie and James. *
Neither Cassidy nor Butch noticed that the old man had already quietly managed to cut the rope binding him.
Meanwhile, Paul accidentally found a Growlithe in a rocky area. After a fierce chase, Paul finally caught it, costing him ten Safari Balls and a lock of his own hair singed off in the process. Safari Balls remaining: 16.
After finding a water source and washing his messy hair, Paul sat by the pool, preparing to do some fishing.
"Paul!" Suddenly, old Kaiser ran over in a panic.
"What's the matter, old man?" Paul looked at Kaiser curiously. * Ash is still back in the village, so those Team Rocket idiots Jessie and James shouldn't be here yet. Why does he look like he's been attacked by terrorists? *
Bang! Bang! Gunshots rang out from a distance.
"Stubborn old man, don't run!" An arrogant female voice echoed.
"Paul, those two are from Team Rocket! Hurry up and deal with them!" Kaiser yelled, ducking as bullets flew past.
"Then I can use my Pokémon? You agree?" Paul asked, looking towards the two distant figures, his brow furrowed. * How did those two nuisances, Cassidy and Butch, find me again? *
"I agree! Do it quickly!" the old man shouted, craning his neck.
"Go, Charmeleon! Use Fire Spin!" Paul threw the Poké Ball, and Charmeleon appeared protectively in front of Kaiser.
"Roar!" With a mighty cry, the temperature around Charmeleon instantly rose. Scorching flames swept towards Cassidy and Butch.
Boom! A huge vortex of fire formed, trapping the two Team Rocket members.
"Finish them! Use Dragon Rage!" Paul commanded with a wave of his hand. Charmeleon clenched its fists, and an azure draconic energy blast turned into flames, spraying fiercely into the Fire Spin.
Boom! A violent explosion occurred. Cassidy and Butch were sent spiraling into the sky. "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" they yelled, vanishing into the distance.
"Well done!" Paul patted the shoulder of his Charmeleon, which seemed stronger with each battle, nodding in satisfaction.
"Rawr!" Charmeleon tilted his head, looked up at the sky at a 45 degree angle, and spewed a celebratory plume of flame. * This guy has really grown fond of celebrating victories this way since evolving, * Paul noted.
"Thank you, Paul." Kaiser, having composed himself, walked over. He seemed to have made a decision.
"Do you want to subdue the Dratini line?" Kaiser looked at Paul. "If it's you, can you treat them well?"
"Didn't you say there are no Dratini here?" Paul smiled, looking at Kaiser. "I'm very strict. I take responsibility for every one of my Pokémon."
"I believe you." Kaiser nodded after studying Paul for a long moment. "Come with me."
"Where are you going?" Paul asked.
"To the Dragon's Den!" Kaiser took the lead, walking ahead. Paul shook his head slightly and quickly followed the stubborn old man deeper into the Safari Zone.
The two walked onward until the color of the surrounding rocks changed from dark brown to a lighter shade. They entered a narrow canyon where sheer, snow white rock walls rose on both sides. The lake nestled in the middle of the canyon was dotted with sharp rock formations.
"Here it is," Kaiser said, squatting by the water's edge and peering into the depths.
"So, it's here," Paul said, standing behind Kaiser, observing the lake.
"Dragonair, are you there? Come out," Kaiser called softly.
Following Kaiser's call, the sky above the canyon suddenly grew gloomy. Dark clouds gathered, and heavy rain began to fall almost instantly.
"That's right, old man Kaiser. I think the Dratini you knew is no longer a Dratini," Paul stated firmly.
"What did you say?" Kaiser asked, looking up ignorantly at the swirling clouds and the turbulent water.
"Clouds gather where Dragons tread! After Dratini evolve into Dragonair, they gain the ability to change the weather!" Paul smiled, speaking partly to himself. "I figured as much. Thirty years have passed. No matter how long the development cycle for Dragon types is, it should have evolved by now!"
Sure enough, from the gloomy lake, a sleek, blue figure leaped out and took flight. Clouds and rain seemed to dissipate around it. With its newly grown wing like appendages on its head, it hovered calmly and gracefully amidst the mist, the scales covering its serpentine body shining.
Kaiser watched in awe. "This is... Dragonair."
Even Paul, who didn't usually prioritize appearances, was struck by Dragonair's beauty. Calm, majestic, elegant, powerful—simply stunning. * You look at such a magnificent Pokémon, * Paul mused, * and wonder how it evolves into something so… chubby? * He couldn't help but chuckle slightly, thinking of Dragonite's stout form and tiny wings.
"Dragonair, there is no place for you to live in safety here anymore. Please go with this trainer," Kaiser said, gently touching Dragonair's head. Paul noticed a faint cross shaped scar on one of its horn like wings, just like the one the young Dratini had borne years ago.
Man and Dragon embraced silently, shedding quiet tears of reunion.
After a moment, Dragonair turned its head to look at Paul. Paul approached it. "Mr. Kaiser has made up his mind so that you can see a wider world. What about you? Do you want to come with me?"
After looking seriously at Paul and then back at Kaiser, Dragonair nodded. First, it rubbed its head against Paul's hand, signifying its willingness. Then, Dragonair let out a soft call towards the pool.
"Aoo," The water surface rippled, and a cute Dratini emerged, shaking its head playfully.
"This is?!" Kaiser looked at the little Dratini in surprise.
"It must be her child," Paul stepped forward and gently touched the small Dratini. The little one rubbed against Paul's hand affectionately, then simply wrapped itself around his arm.
"Haha, what an interesting little one," Paul chuckled, taking out a small Pokémon food pellet and offering it to the Dratini.
Seeing Paul interacting earnestly and warmly with the little Dratini, Kaiser thought with relief, * Luckily, I made the right decision. * A Dragonair and a Dratini would be enough to draw endless trouble to the Safari Zone.
"Paul, I'll leave these two in your care from now on," Kaiser stepped forward and held out his hand.
"Leave it to me, Mr. Kaiser." Paul shook Kaiser's hand solemnly. He then took out two Safari Balls and recalled Dragonair and the little Dratini.
The trip to the Safari Zone had concluded successfully. After reluctantly saying goodbye to Mr. Kaiser, Paul embarked on his journey once more.
* The friendship between people and Pokémon grows stronger over time, * Paul reflected, * even after 30 years, it still shines with a gentle brilliance. *
_______________________
Final Chapter Announcement**
The last chapter of this novel is now available on Patreon. This is where the story ends for now because I am focusing on other writing projects.
I know many readers have opinions and maybe complaints about the ending. I understand and want you to know that someday, when I have time, I plan to revise and improve this story.
Thank you to everyone who read and supported this novel. Your engagement means so much to me.
Patreon supporters can read 30+ chapters ahead of public release.
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Spoiler for those who can't read on Patreon: Ash made the Top 16 by beating Ritchie, lost to Paul, then Paul won the Indigo League.