Sport of the Hunt

Leaf is on the Pokémon Center’s computer, taking a video call with Professor Oak. She drops a Pokéball into the Pokéball transporter in the PC.

Professor Oak: My, another Shellder! Is that the last of them?

Leaf: (Sheepishly smiles) Sorry, Professor Oak, but those were just the ones that were locked. Here’s the three on my party, I don’t have a purpose for them so I might as well send them back.

She transports the last three Shellder on her team.

Professor Oak: You know, Gary caught two Shellder too! One was quite large, with quite the movepool! Hm, it’d make for quite a strong member of his team upon evolving into Cloyster!

Leaf: Wow, that is interesting. You know a lot about battling, don’t you, Professor Oak?

Professor Oak: (Chuckles) You could say that. (Notices her last Shellder) Ah! I see you have a team of three, currently! Quite a small amount for an evolution researcher, hm?

Leaf: Heh, yeah… I’ve been hoping to catch more Pokémon - and evolve them too.

Professor Oak: You’re in Fuschia, correct? (Leaf nods) There’s a Safari Zone within the city, with a variety of Pokémon that’d help advance your research.

Leaf: T - that’d be great!

Emerald, Beedrill, and Khoury walk up to Leaf. Emerald is eating a bag of popcorn.

Emerald: (Eating with mouth open) What’d… (munching) be great?

Leaf: (Rolls eyes) Eat with your mouth closed, please.

Professor Oak: Ah, Emerald! How wonderful to see you! And it appears you’ve made a friend, hello!

Khoury: (Waves shyly) H - hi, I’m Khoury.

Professor Oak: Nice to meet you! I just got done talking with Leaf about the Safari Zone.

Leaf: It’s a place to catch Pokémon! I was thinking about heading there for my evolution research!

Emerald: (Taken aback) But I have to beat the gym!

Leaf: (Sighs exasperatedly) For once, could we go somewhere besides a gym?

Emerald: (Pouts) Pleeease?

A Scyther appears behind Professor Oak, prodding the camera before walking away.

Professor Oak: (Looking at Gary’s ranch) Ah, that was just Gary’s Scyther! You know, Gary’s now caught twenty-four unique Pokémon! He’s racking up quite the Pokédex collection, all with powerful Pokémon, some from the Safari Zone.

Emerald: (Flames in his eyes) Alright! The Safari Zone it is!

Professor Oak: (Chuckles) Well, I’m off to Celadon. Take care!

Leaf smiles, giving a thumbs-up and mouthing “thanks” to Professor Oak who nods his head. The video call ends and Emerald turns around, jumping up and down in place. Khoury shakes his head.

Khoury: (Sighs) O - one mention of Gary…

```
Scene change

```

Emerald, Beedrill, Leaf, and Khoury are on their way to the Safari Zone. Emerald is hopping all over the place, throwing his fist in the air with excitement.

Emerald: Oh yeah! I’m gonna get a really strong Pokémon!

Beedrill: Bee…

Emerald: N - none as strong as you, Beedrill!

Leaf and Khoury laugh at this. They make it inside the Safari Zone’s entrance, finding a lobby.

Emerald: I can just imagine the strong Pokémon, all waiting for me to catch them! And then I’ll use them to wipe the floor with Gary and Damian, (begins to shout) and I’ll become a Pokémon Master!

A gun barrel is pointed at Emerald, who pauses with a look of shock.

Khoury: W - what’s the meaning of this?

The gun comes from over the counter, held by an old man.

Old man: I’ll tell you! You’re making a ruckus in my Safari Zone!

Leaf: Y - you’re the warden?

Baoba: Dam - darn right I am! (Pulls gun away) Baoba. I run this place, and I’m warning you, (looks at Emerald) don’t make any noise. Now, I take it from this guy you’re here to participate in the Safari Game?

Leaf: Y - yeah.

Baoba: I’ll tell ya the rules! Thirty Pokéball per purchase, (mutters) cause of those god da - darn looneys. What else, ah, oh and you’re not allowed to bring any Pokémon with ya! Last time we allowed that, all he - heck broke loose. If you break the rules at all, I’ll, (smacks his gun) blow all of yere brains out! … Ah, that’s it, ya hear me?

They all stammer “yes” quietly.

Baoba: (Loudly, pulling out a gun) I said ya hear me?!

Emerald, Leaf, & Khoury: YES, SIR, YES!

Baoba: (Pulls gun away) That’s how I like it! Now, drop off yere Pokémon at that, er, whatcha call it?

Khoury: (Quietly) C - c - computer…?

Baoba: (Pulls a gun out) What’d you say?

Khoury: T - t - t - they’re co - computers!

Baoba puts the gun away.

Baoba: Ah, before yere drop off em off at the computer, I’ll need five hundred from each of you if you’re each getting a full set.

Leaf (Pulls out cash) We’ll just share…

She drops the money on the counter, receiving 30 Safari Ball which she splits amongst the group equally.

Baoba: (Chuckles) Wise deal. (Snarls) Now get out of my face you two!

Leaf: (Mutters) Three.

They head over to the PC, ready to drop each of their Pokemon off. Leaf notices Emerald and Khoury’s bummed out looks.

Leaf: Guys, don’t worry. I know it’s been off to a… rocky, start, but at least we can finally start looking for Pokémon! I’ve heard there’s a rare pseudo legendary here, Drat -

A shot is fired at the wall close to Leaf, who widens her eyes in disbelief.

Baoba: What’d ye say about a Dratini?! There’s no da - dang Dratini in this Safari Zone! Those are just myths! Anything ye hear about Dratini is fake, alright?! Now, I want ye to never bring it up ever again, okay?!

Leaf: A - alright!

Baoba: (Pulls out his gun) Is that clear?!

Khoury: Y - yes, w - w - we won’t bring it up again, sir!

Leaf: (Quietly) Let’s just transport our Pokémon at the PC.

Leaf and Khoury transport their Pokémon through the PC. Emerald does the same with most of his team except for Beedrill. He looks at Beedrill, heartbroken.

Emerald: Sorry, Beedrill, but did you see that guy’s gun?!

Leaf: (Puts a finger to her lips) Shh! Remember what he said about talking loudly!

Emerald: (Shrugs) Sorry. (Turns to Beedrill) See ya!

He returns Beedrill to its Pokéball, transporting it to Professor Oak. The PC begins to ring, a voice call coming in from Professor Oak. They pick it up.

Professor Oak: Ah! I’ve just received all of your Pokémon! I take it you’re at the Safari Zone?

Leaf: Yeah, but so far… it’s not been a pleasant experience.

Professor Oak: (Chuckles) I take it you’ve met my friend, Baoba?

Emerald: You’re friends with that guy?! How have you not died yet?! This guy freaks me out!

Leaf: He’s very, er, how do I put this? Trigger-happy. I brought up, (checks to see if Baoba is around) Dratini, and he almost shot me!

Professor Oak: (Pinches his nose) Ah, yes. Dratini. Baoba is very defensive regarding it. I take it you’ve heard the myths of the Dratini within the Safari Zone?

Leaf: Yes, sir.

Professor Oak: Well, they’re true. There is a Dratini in the Safari Zone, however it’s endangered.

Khoury: A - a Dratini? Not multiple?

Professor Oak: Correct. Long ago, Baoba had encountered a Dratini in the Safari Zone. Dratini were known to evolve into powerful Pokémon back then, but no one had ever considered spending the time raising them. When Lance had become champion however, there was a Dratini craze.

Leaf: Lance’s signature Pokémon… Dragonite.

Professor Oak: Quite a powerful Pokémon. (Chuckles) I’d know after battling it. Anyways, due to the Dratini mania, the Safari Zone was greatly harmed, causing Baoba to set rules regarding the Safari Zone to prevent poachers.

Emerald: So the reason that guy is crazy (Leaf elbows him) - ow - is because of some crazy people back then? Then why does he go around aiming guns at people for no reason?!

Professor Oak: (Chuckles) He’s… very defensive over the Safari Zone. Ah, well, I’ve just finished my work. Off to Celadon! See you next time!

Professor Oak hangs up the video call. Leaf, Emerald, and Khoury leave the lobby, heading into the Safari Zone. They instantly see lush green forestry, with wild Pokémon sprawling in the Safari Zone. Nidoran♀ and Nidoran♂ play amongst each other, while packs of Nidorina and Nidorino fight each other. Lakes run across the Safari Zone with Seaking and Psyduck swimming. Emerald walks around, nearly stepping on an Exeggecute.

Emerald: W - woah! (Mutters) What a weird Pokémon!

Emerald continues to walk around, seeing Damian with stashes of Safari Ball and Pokéball hidden within his clothes.

Emerald: Damian?!

Damian: (Turns around) Who are you, again? (Eyes widen) Wait a minute, you’re that brat who stole my Charmander!

Emerald: You abandoned it!

Damian: Gah, whatever! I don’t need it -

Emerald: Her! She’s a Pokémon with feelings! Jerk!

Damian: Whatever, she was weak! I’ve caught stronger Pokémon!

Damian pulls out a Pokéball, releasing a Scyther.

Scyther: Scy, scyther!

He returns the Scyther. Leaf walks over.

Leaf: Those aren’t even Safari Ball. You smuggled them in!

Damian: Pfft, whatever! Who cares? I’m here to catch Pokémon, so I’m gonna catch as many as I want!

Damian notices the ten empty Safari Ball around Emerald’s belt.

Damian: Hah! Only ten, and they’re all empty? I’ve caught six so far, all strong!

Emerald: (Grits his teeth) I’ll catch more than you!

Damian: Is that a challenge?

Emerald gets in his face.

Emerald: It’s not a challenge when I’m going up against you!

Khoury: G - guys, we don’t have to fight!

Damian: (Scoffs) And who’s the loser here?

Emerald: He’s not a loser! He’s my friend, Khoury! The only loser here is you! You treat your Pokémon like trash, no, I respect my trash more than you respect your Pokémon!

Damian: Well, I’m off to look for the Dratini! It’ll be mine!

Leaf: Baoba said -

Damian: He can stick it! I’m gonna find that Dratini, and soon I’ll be the strongest trainer there is!

Emerald grits his teeth, stomping off.

Khoury: (Sighs) What have we gotten into now?! W - what if Baoba comes and, and shoots us?!

Leaf: I doubt he’ll shoot us… (Thinks) Alright, maybe he will.

```
Scene change

```

Leaf goes around the Safari Zone, searching for wild Pokémon. She finds a wild Slowpoke, becoming elated.

Leaf: A Slowpoke! Maybe I could study how it evolves into Slowbro?

She pulls out her Pokédex, analyzing the Slowpoke.

Pokédex: Slowpoke, the dopey Pokémon. It is always vacantly lost in thought, but no one knows what it is thinking about. It is good at fishing with its tail.

She kicks a Safari Ball at the Slowpoke, who yawns.

Slowpoke: … Slow.

The Slowpoke is hit by the red plasma from the Pokéball, dematerializing. The Safari Ball shakes three times, before locking.

Leaf: I did it!

She goes over to collect the Safari Ball, however it opens. Slowpoke pops out of the Pokéball.

Slowpoke: … Slow.

Leaf: (Sighs exasperatedly) Poor Slowpoke, too slow to realize it’s been caught.

Leaf picks up the Safari Ball, returning Slowpoke before putting it in her bag. She walks around, searching for wild Pokémon to no avail.

Leaf: (Sighs) I’m almost glad Emerald snuck in some Pokémon food.

She pulls out some food, leaving nibbles of it on the ground. Soon, a wild Nidoran♂ arrives, shyly walking over.

Leaf: (Smiles) You can eat the food, don’t worry.

The Nidoran♂ picks up a nibble, biting it. He soon takes another bite, eating the entire trail she’s left behind.

Leaf: Hey, Nidoran♂, I’ve got more food with me. Do you wanna join me?

Nidoran♂ looks down at the ground, shyly.

Leaf: Don’t worry, it’s okay! I promise, I’ll give you more food.

Nidoran♂ nods his head. Leaf smiles, kicking a Safari Ball at his head. It shakes three times, before locking.

Leaf: Way to go! He’ll be useful in battle and for research.

Leaf picks up the Safari Ball, putting it in her bag.

```
Scene change

```

Emerald is hiding in a bush, ready to ambush a wild Venomoth. He prepares to catch it, leaping out of the bush.

Emerald: Let’s go, Bee - (realizes his mistake) oh no!

The Venomoth spots Emerald, releasing a Confusion attack at him. He rolls out of the way, throwing a Safari Ball at it. The Safari Ball immediately reopens, Venomoth angrily flying towards Emerald.

Emerald: AHHHH!

Emerald runs away from Venomoth, rushing towards the eastern side of the Safari Zone. He hides behind a tree, panting heavily.

Emerald: Alright, so Venomoth didn’t work, what about…

Emerald scans the area, finding a herd of sleeping Tauros.

Emerald: Bingo! They’re all asleep, and Leaf went on and on about how strong they were! Easiest catch of my life!

Emerald tip toes over to the herd of Tauros, pulling out a Safari Ball. He grins, aiming at it.

Emerald: Alright, let’s go!

He chucks the Safari Ball at a sleeping Tauros hard, the Safari Ball bouncing off of its head and smacking Emerald’s. Emerald falls over, muttering something in confusion. The Tauros gets up, stomping his foot as the herd of Tauros awaken.

Tauros: Tau!

Emerald: Homina, homina, homina!

Emerald gets back up, jumping towards a bush as the Tauros herd charge towards him. He runs through bushes, scraping his legs. He climbs up a tree, catching his breath. The Tauros herd miss him from below, charging towards a lake.

Emerald: Whew! So that didn’t work!

He climbs down the tree, going the opposite way of the Tauros herd. He stumbles into a sleeping Snorlax, falling onto his behind.

Emerald: (Looks at the size of Snorlax) Woah! I could definitely outrun this thing!

Emerald grins, throwing a Safari Ball at the Snorlax. The Safari Ball is cushioned against Snorlax’s belly, rolling off of it. Emerald grimaces, kicking a Safari Ball like Leaf. The same thing occurs. He continues to do so until half of his Safari Ball are gone.

Emerald: Da - darn! (Mutters) That Baoba guy is rubbing off of me!

The Tauros herd catch sight of Emerald, charging towards him. Emerald runs, flailing his arms around while screaming as he tries not to get caught. He makes it to a hidden den, where a wild Doduo is running around.

Emerald: M - maybe I can use it to get away faster?

Emerald throws a Safari Ball at the Doduo who dodges. He throws another, missing. He kicks one, missing. He throws one, finding himself down to his last Safari Ball.

Emerald: Gahh!

Doduo chases him out.

Doduo: Do, do, doduo, doduo!

```
Scene change

```

Khoury walks around leisurely, waiting for Pokémon to come to him. He sees a Poliwag.

Khoury: Leaf has one! M - maybe I could catch one?

Khoury throws a Safari Ball at the Poliwag, who smacks it away with its tail.

Khoury: Aww…

He begins to walk away, until he thinks to himself.

Khoury: Emerald would keep on trying until he catches it…

Khoury turns back, throwing another Safari Ball. Poliwag headbutts it away.

Khoury: B - but what if it doesn’t want to join me?! W - what if it doesn’t think I’m strong enough to catch it?

Khoury: (Confidently) T - then I’ll have to be strong enough!

He throws a Safari Ball, curving his throw. It takes the Poliwag by surprise, catching it. The Safari Ball shakes once, then twice, before locking on the third shake.

Khoury: I - I did it! I caught a Pokémon! All by myself!

Khoury goes over to pick up the Safari Ball, fumbling with it. From the corner of his eyes, he sees a pink egg-shaped Pokémon -

Khoury: A - a Chansey?! T - those are incredibly rare! I - I can’t believe it!

Khoury throws a Safari Ball at the Chansey, capturing it in one attempt.

Khoury: I - I… I caught a Chansey… on my first try!

Khoury faints.

```
Scene change

```

Leaf picks up a Safari Ball with a Bellsprout stored in it.

Leaf: Not bad, three catches today. (Sighs) If only it didn’t take me half of my Safari Ball to catch Bellsprout. (Thinks) What kind of Bellsprout knows Slam and Razor Leaf? Oh well.

She stores the Safari Ball in her bag, seeing the ones she has left.

Leaf: I have three more left. As long as they’re nothing like Bellsprout, I’ll have six new additions to my team!

Leaf smiles, walking through the Safari Zone with excitement. Damian follows her.

Damian: (Whispers) She’s the smartest of the bunch of those wackos, hopefully she’ll take me to Dratini!

Leaf notices a cliff with a waterfall nearby. She peers through the waterfall, seeing a den.

Leaf: That’s… unusual. Nothing on the map, (pulls out the map) says anything about a den.

Leaf pulls out a Safari Ball, releasing Slowpoke.

Leaf: Slowpoke, can you open up an entrance with Confusion?

Slowpoke: … (Yawns) … Slow.

Leaf walks over to the waterfall, skipping over the pebble steps taking her to the waterfall. She waits for a minute before Slowpoke uses Confusion, creating a hole in the water for Leaf to enter.

Leaf: Thank you, Slowpoke! Return!

Leaf returns Slowpoke, the process taking a while. By the time Slowpoke is returned, Damian hops through the entrance through the waterfall.

Damian: Heh, looks like she’ll be taking me there.

Leaf walks through the den, finding a long corridor. She makes it to the end, finding a Dratini.

Dratini: Dra?

Leaf approaches it, however a Dragonair appears in front of the Dratini defensively. The Dragonair disappears before Damian can see it.

Dragonair: Dra!

Damian: (Loudly) I’ve found it!

Leaf whips around, seeing Damian.

Leaf: Damian?! What are you doing here? (Grits teeth) Don’t tell me you’re here for -

Damian: I’m catching that Dratini!

Leaf: You’re not allowed to!

Damian: And who’s gonna stop me?

Leaf: (Looks around) M - me!

Damian: Heh, we’ll see about that! Pinsir!

Damian releases Pinsir, who stands before Leaf angrily. It taps its pincers together threateningly.

Leaf: Alright, a Pinsir. Bug-type with high attack, so that rules out Bellsprout. Slowpoke could likely defeat it, but is too slow too and doesn't have any super-effective moves meaning… Nidoran♂!

Leaf releases Nidoran♂.

```
Scene change

```

Emerald pants, making it to an open den. He hears the Tauros herd approaching.

Emerald: (Panting) They’re gonna catch me!

He runs around, flailing his arms before bumping into a Pokémon. Falling onto his back, he mutters something and rubs his head.

Emerald: What was that?

Rhyhorn: (In distress) HORNNN!

Emerald looks up, seeing a Rhyhorn with a large horn. He rampages around recklessly, slamming into Emerald who winces painfully. Emerald clutches his stomach.

Emerald: (Grunts) First Persian, now Rhyhorn.

He gets back up, approaching Rhyhorn.

Rhyhorn: RHYYY!

Emerald dodges as Rhyhorn slams into a tree with Take Down. Rhyhorn struggles to get its horn out of the tree, squirming.

Emerald: W - what’s up with that Rhyhorn?! Is every Pokémon out to get me?!

He approaches the Rhyhorn cautiously.

Emerald: (Thinking) If Khoury was here, he’d calm this thing down easy! Gah! (To Rhyhorn) Alright, Rhyhorn, you’re angry for… some reason! I just need to find out why!

He touches Rhyhorn’s plated armour. He moves his hands up to his horn, Rhyhorn wincing. Emerald’s eyes widen.

Emerald: Your horn! (Soothingly) It hurts?

Rhyhorn: (Affirmatively) Rhy.

Emerald: And it’s stuck! Gah, if I had my Pokémon here, I could help out… (Pauses, grinning) I know! Shake the tree down!

Rhyhorn stomps his foot with Smack Down, shaking the tree. He does it again, this time creating cracks in the tree. The cracks extend with each Smack Down, eventually creating a hole for Rhyhorn to move his horn out of.

Rhyhorn: (Appreciative) Rhy! (Winces) Rhyyy!

Emerald: Your horn still hurts?

Rhyhorn: (Nods) Horn!

Emerald: I know! Khoury’s great with berries, he’d get… (trails off)

Emerald goes over to a bush, picking some Oran Berries. He squeezes the berries’ juice onto Rhyhorn’s horn, it relieving Rhyhorn’s pain. Rhyhorn nuzzles Emerald with too much force, knocking him down.

Emerald: (Laughing) H - hey!

Emerald’s Safari Ball rolls out of his pocket. Rhyhorn notices it.

Rhyhorn: Rhy?

Emerald: Huh? (Looks at Safari Ball, grinning) You wanna join me?! Sure thing!

Emerald gets up, a fire in his eyes.

Emerald: (Continues) We’ll be the strongest team there is! (Shouting) Believe it!

Rhyhorn lifts one foot up, stomping down with excitement. Emerald picks up the Safari Ball, tapping it on Rhyhorn’s healed horn. The Safari Ball locks

Emerald: I caught, (jumps up, shouting) a RHYHORN!

```
Scene change

```

Leaf: Reflect to Hone Claws!

Damian: Pinsir, X-Scissor!

Nidoran♂ creates a pink wall of energy, shielding the X-Scissor Attack. Nidoran♂ raises his claws with white energy, clawing at the air with vigor.

Leaf: Peck!

Damian: Break through that thing with Brick Break!

Pinsir’ fist glows red, smashing the Reflect wall. It brings down its other fist, Nidoran♂ dodging. He lunges stinger-first into Pinsir’s side. Pinsir is sent flying back into a wall.

Damian: Gah, how is your tiny Pokémon so strong?! (Grins) It’ll be no match for what I caught back here; Tauros!

Damian releases a Tauros, who stomps its foot. It charges towards Leaf.

Leaf: Bellsprout, Razor Leaf!

She releases Bellsprout, who releases a barrage of leaves at Tauros’ ankles, knocking it over. Tauros struggles to get back up, forcing Damian to return.

Damian: (Scoffs) That’s pathetic! Pinsir, Vice Grip!

Leaf: Thank you, Bellsprout.

She looks over, seeing Pinsir attack Nidoran♂ with Vice Grip. Nidoran♂ dodges, taking opportunities to hit Pinsir’s side with Peck. Pinsir groans, purple foam coming out of its mouth.

Leaf: It’s poisoned! Nidoran♂’s ability must be Poison Point. We can incapacitate it to wear it out. (Checks Bellsprout’s entry on the Pokédex) Bellsprout, Slam to Wrap!

Bellsprout slams its vine-like legs onto Pinsir, wrapping its legs around it tightly. Pinsir hobbles over to Nidoran♂, grunting as purple bubbles escape its mouth.

Damian: Hey, no fair! You’re double teaming on me!

Leaf: You tried to attack me with a Pokémon, you don’t get to argue on fairness! Peck!

Nidoran♂ launches itself at Pinsir, striking it with Peck as Bellsprout tightens its Wrap Attack on Pinsir and Pinsir is hit by poison. The combination of attacks knock out Pinsir, causing it to collapse.

Damian: Gah! You only won cause you cheated! I’ll just catch that Dratini myself!

Leaf: You’re not going to steal it! Baoba hid its existence from people like you, thieves who don’t care about the rules!

Damian marches up to Leaf, shoving her.

Damian: Out of the way! It’s mine!

Damian goes up to to the Dratini, throwing an Ultra Ball at it. It’s immediately shot back at Damian by Dragonair, who unveils itself. Dragonair shoots a bolt of lightning near Damian’s feet, sending him flying back. Damian scurries off.

Damian: T - that Pokémon is crazy!

He takes off, running. Leaf returns her Pokémon before going up to Dragonair, hesitantly.

Leaf: (Widens her eyes) The Dragonair… y - you’re the Dratini Baoba saw back then. That Dratini is your child, isn’t it?

Dragonair: (Hesitantly, nodding) Dra.

Leaf: (Bows) I - I’ll leave. It’s an honor to meet you, and I hope to see your species grow.

Dragonair coils around Leaf, smiling.

Dragonair: (Touches Leaf’s head) Dra, dragonair.

Dragonair uncoils itself, disappearing into the water with Dratini.

```
Scene change

```

Leaf, Emerald, Beedrill, and Khoury leave the Safari Zone lobby. They pass by Koga.

Emerald: Leaf, Leaf! (Shows his Safari Ball) I caught a Rhyhorn!

Khoury: A - and I caught a Poliwag, a - and a… a Chansey!

Leaf: (Widens her eyes) Chansey? They’re incredibly rare in Kanto.

They leave the Safari Zone lobby. Koga walks over to Baoba.

Koga: Gym leader duties.

Baoba: Alright, make sure yere not up to any funny business in there!

Koga nods before walking off to Damian’s spot in the lobby. Damian is showing off a stash of Pokéball and Safari Ball to teens and kids.

Damian: Heh, and this one, (grabs Pinsir’s Pokéball) went up against a Dragonair! Almost knocked the wind out of it, (Scoffs) but then I was like, nah I don’t need to waste my time against a Pokémon weaker than me!

Kid: I - is that really true?!

Damian: Pffft, yeah, one hundred percent true.

Koga: Even the Dragonair bit?

Koga appears behind Damian. Damian turns around.

Damian: (At his friends) H - hah, that’s the most I heard from this guy! He didn’t even talk during my battle!

Koga: (Raises an eyebrow) Answer.

Damian: Y - yeah, found it in a waterfall with some dumb Dratini!

Koga walks off. He heads inside of the Safari Zone, walking through it. He pulls out a Pokéball, releasing a Raticate. A Raticate with long whiskers scrunches his face up.

Raticate: Ra?

Koga: (Sighs) Yes, of course it’s me.

He rips off his face, the skin transforming into a Ditto. Instead, the Koga impostor has a sharp, feminine face with black hair in the form of a ponytail and green eyes.

Shady Girl: See? Search for a waterfall.

Shady Girl follows Raticate around the Safari Zone.

Shady Girl: (Snaps at Raticate) Hurry up!

Raticate: (Cowers) Ra…

Raticate begins to run, sniffing out for a waterfall. He makes it to a rocky cliff with a waterfall.

Shady Girl: Finally you’re useful for something!

Shady Girl returns Raticate, sending out a Cloyster. She points at the waterfall, which it freezes over. It smashes the ice with Clamp. She walks through the corridor. Dragonair jumps up defensively in front of multiple Dratini.

Shady Girl: (Irritated) Out of the way.

Cloyster freezes Dragonair over, before smashing it into bits with Clamp. The family of Dratini cower.

Dratini: (Yelps) Dra!

Shady Girl pulls out a bag, stuffing a Dratini inside. She kicks it when it starts squirming.

Shady Girl: (Smirks) Business as usual.

## Major Events

* Leaf captures a Slowpoke, Nidoran♂, And Bellsprout.
* Khoury captures a Poliwag and Chansey.
* Emerald captures a Rhyhorn.

## Characters

* Leaf
* Emerald
* Khoury
* Baoba
* Professor Oak
* Damian
* Shady Girl

### Pokémon

* Beedrill (Emerald's)
* Rhyhorn (Emerald's, newly obtained)
* Shellder (Leaf's, several)
* Slowpoke (Leaf’s, newly obtained)
* Nidoran♂ (Leaf’s, newly obtained)
* Bellsprout (Leaf’s, newly obtained)
* Poliwag (Khoury’s, newly obtained)
* Chansey (Khoury’s, newly obtained)
* Pinsir (Damian’s)
* Tauros (Damian’s)
* Dratini (several)
* Dragonair
* Raticate (Shady Girl’s)
* Cloyster (Shady Girl’s)

#### Safari Zone Pokémon

* Nidoran♂
* Nidoran♀
* Nidorino
* Nidorina
* Seaking
* Psyduck
* Exeggecute

## Trivia

* This episode marks the first on-screen death of a Pokémon.
	+ Marowak in Time Heals was killed prior to the episode.
* This episode focuses more on Leaf.
* The episode takes a lot of inspiration from the anime’s first banned episode.
	+ This is due to the author enjoying the warden’s overreactions with his gun, and the Safari Zone’s backstory tying in well with the worldbuilding here.
	+ Initially, when Leaf’s character was Crystal, she originally would’ve caught more Pokémon and struggled with not capturing Dratini to parallel Damian.
* Leaf’s Bellsprout is a reference to Jeanette Fisher’s from the anime, who was a comically powerful Bellsprout that knew Slam and Razor Leaf.
* Damian returning is due to him showing no regards for the rules or Pokémon’s safety, only caring about strength.
* This episode marks the first time Emerald’s full party is not seen.
	+ It also marks the first time he has more than six Pokémon on him.
* The Pokémon that Emerald attempts to capture in this episode are references to the ones Ian caught in Safari Zone.
	+ This is due to the author being inspired by Pokémon Tales and so wanting to reference it.
* Shady Girl is a placeholder for a future character.
	+ The placeholder name is based off of a similar one in a future crossover.
* Shady Girl utilizing Ditto as a disguise is based on Green from *Pokémon Adventures*.
	+ Her killing Dragonair with Cloyster, freezing it before shattering into several pieces is based off of Giovanni there.