A week had elapsed since Arin observed Gary Oak at the Safari Zone. During this period, his prototype development advanced considerably. Unlike typical developers who required extensive brainstorming for innovative ideas, Arin already carried a mental catalog of successful applications from his previous existence. This knowledge substantially expedited his progress-he merely needed to adapt and construct rather than conceptualize entirely new systems.
While programming, Arin incorporated security protocols he remembered from his former world, establishing protective barriers that would render unauthorized access particularly challenging. The computing systems in this reality already contained sophisticated security frameworks, providing supplementary protection against potential breaches. He understood, however, that eventually he would require dedicated physical server infrastructure for data management and security. This insight led him to investigate the regulatory requirements for establishing a business and launching applications in this world-procedures that varied in nuanced but significant ways from his previous experiences.
Three months had now transpired since Arin began working at the Safari Zone. The initial caution his coworkers had displayed toward him had gradually evolved into cordial acceptance. Even the most reserved staff members now acknowledged him by name, occasionally offering insights about Pokémon behaviors or maintenance efficiencies.
This particular morning found Arin distributing specialized nutrition to a group of Nidoran that regularly visited the eastern portion of Area 1. He had just placed the final feeding container when an alarming sound disrupted the peaceful morning-the red emergency signal, its strident tone indicating immediate peril. The alert system specified the threat was located near the Zubat cavern, adjacent to the territory where the Kangaskhan family-among the Zone's most valuable residents-typically gathered.
Arin's immediate response should have been following established protocol by retreating to the designated secure location. However, before he could withdraw, he noticed a group of security personnel hurrying toward the disturbance, led by the Warden himself. Their resolute expressions and battle-ready Pokémon companions indicated the gravity of the situation. Making an instantaneous decision, Arin followed behind them. The security staff were too intensely focused on reaching the threat to notice his presence.
Upon arriving at the location, Arin witnessed a disturbing scene: several Kangaskhan and Doduo were being forcibly directed into the Zubat cavern by individuals wearing dark attire and utilizing unusual technological equipment. Poachers-and evidently well-prepared ones.
Conflict erupted immediately. The Safari Zone's security trainers deployed their Pokémon, engaging the intruders with practiced efficiency. Despite the poachers' preparations, they were quickly overwhelmed by the Zone's defenders. Within five minutes, the confrontation had concluded decisively in favor of the Safari Zone.
The Warden's expression revealed intense anger as he assessed the damage. He commanded his Pokémon to restrain the poachers with minimal gentleness, while several rangers entered the cave to evaluate the interior situation. When they emerged fifteen minutes later, the complete circumstances became apparent.
The poachers had covertly transported components of a teleportation mechanism into the cave over three weeks, assembling it incrementally to avoid detection. Today had been their planned extraction operation, but they had underestimated the responsiveness of the Zone's security systems. Their scheme, likely requiring months of planning, had disintegrated within minutes.
As the rangers secured the apprehended poachers, Arin approached a security trainer with whom he had developed a friendship during his employment. Following a brief exchange, he borrowed the man's Nidorino to explore the cave independently. Inside, evidence of conflict was ubiquitous-burn marks on walls, shattered stalactites, and most disturbingly, injured and deceased Zubats and Rattatas scattered throughout the cavern. The scene was disturbing, but Arin continued methodically, activating his "Observe" ability with each living Pokémon he encountered.
For nearly thirty minutes, he searched systematically, discovering only low-IV Zubats. Just as he contemplated abandoning his search, a movement attracted his attention-an injured Zubat struggling to remain airborne, its wing visibly damaged. Arin activated "Observe" once more:
Zubat ♀
Type: Poison/Flying
Level: 14
Ability: Inner Focus
IV Total: 138
Moves: Leech Life, Supersonic, Astonish, Bite, Brave Bird, Hypnosis
Optimal Diet: Rawst berry, Sycnov Powder
His pulse quickened. This was precisely what he had been seeking. The Zubat's IV total surpassed his ambitious standard, and despite its injuries, demonstrated remarkable tenacity. The egg moves Brave Bird and Hypnosis represented exceptional advantages-powerful techniques that ordinary Zubats couldn't naturally acquire. Without hesitation, Arin carefully captured the wounded Pokémon.
Outside, disorder continued. Many security personnel had sustained injuries during the confrontation and were prioritizing their own recovery. The cave-dwelling Pokémon-predominantly Zubats and Rattatas-were considered sufficiently common that they weren't the immediate priority in the aftermath. Consequently, numerous injured specimens remained unattended, left to recover independently or perish.
Arin rapidly evaluated the circumstances. The Safari Zone maintained basic medical facilities for treating minor Pokémon injuries, but these were currently overwhelmed with the more valuable Kangaskhan and security Pokémon wounded in the battle. Examining his Zubat's condition through the Poké Ball's transparent upper section confirmed his concerns-her injuries exceeded what the Zone's basic care could address. The wing damage appeared extensive, with indications of internal trauma as well.
"This requires specialized treatment," he determined, making a swift decision.
Recognizing the urgency of his new partner's condition, Arin sprinted toward Fuchsia City's Pokémon Center, carefully holding the Poké Ball containing his injured Zubat. The Safari Zone's medical personnel possessed skills for routine care and minor injuries, but lacked the sophisticated equipment and expertise necessary for trauma cases of this severity. Only the Pokémon Center, with its advanced healing technology and trained medical professionals, could provide the critical intervention his Zubat required.
As he ran, Arin experienced a complex mixture of emotions-joy at discovering his ideal partner, anxiety regarding her survival prospects, and determination to employ every possible measure to save her. Amid catastrophe, he had found his first genuine companion in this world-now he simply needed to ensure she survived.
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