After the gym fight
Gilgamesh's stomach rumbled in agreement with Misty's suggestion. "Ramen sounds perfect! I could really go for something warm and savory after all that battling. Do you know a good place?"
Misty's eyes brightened. "Do I ever! There's this little spot not far from here, just a few blocks down. They make the best Miso Ramen in Fuchsia City, and their Gyarados gyoza are legendary."
"Gyarados gyoza?" Gilgamesh's eyebrows shot up. "Now you're talking my language!"
With a shared laugh, they headed out of the gym, the scent of blooming flowers from the nearby Safari Zone mingling with the promise of a delicious meal. The streets of Fuchsia City were bustling, but Misty navigated them with ease, leading Gilgamesh down a winding side street.
Soon, they arrived at a cozy-looking restaurant with steam billowing from its open kitchen. The warm glow of lanterns spilled onto the sidewalk, and the aroma of rich broth and sizzling dumplings wafted through the air. Inside, the small space was filled with the contented hum of diners. They found a small table near the window and settled in, eager for their well-deserved feast.
Satisfied sighs escaped both Gilgamesh and Misty as they pushed their empty ramen bowls aside. The rich broth and savory gyozas had hit the spot perfectly. Misty leaned back, a contented smile on her face. "That was exactly what I needed. Best ramen in Kanto, hands down."
Gilgamesh nodded in agreement, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. "Seriously. I feel like I could take on anything now... well, after I digest a bit." He glanced out the window, his gaze falling upon the lush, green canopy of trees in the distance. "So, the Safari Zone is just around here, right?"
Misty followed his gaze. "That's right. It's a huge nature preserve, full of all sorts of wild Pokémon that aren't found anywhere else."
Gilgamesh's eyes lit up, his usual calm demeanor giving way to an almost childlike excitement. "A nature preserve with rare Pokémon, you say? I hope there are some truly unique ones there.
I've always wanted to see a Chansey in its natural habitat, or maybe even a wild Kangaskhan!" He leaned forward, a speculative glint in his eye. "Imagine encountering a truly legendary Pokémon out there... that would be incredible."
Misty smiled, amused by his sudden enthusiasm. "You never know what you might find in the Safari Zone, Gilgamesh. It's known for its surprises."
With renewed energy and an eager glint in his eye, Gilgamesh turned to Misty. "Alright, Safari Zone it is! Lead the way!"
They made their way to the entrance of the sprawling nature park, a grand, wooden gate adorned with carvings of various Pokémon. At a small booth, a friendly attendant greeted them.
"Welcome to the Fuchsia City Safari Zone!" the attendant chirped, a stack of what looked like oversized Poké Balls beside them. "Entry is 500 Pokedollars per person. That includes 30 Safari Balls and 600 steps for your exploration. Remember, no battling allowed in here – it's all about skill and luck with the Safari Balls!"
Gilgamesh quickly produced the Pokedollars, his excitement practically palpable. "No battling? Even better! It's a real test of a trainer's instincts." He carefully took the handful of Safari Balls offered, noting their unique, slightly rougher texture compared to regular Poké Balls.
Misty paid for her entry as well, a thoughtful expression on her face. "It's a different kind of challenge, that's for sure. You have to be patient and observe the Pokémon's behavior."
As they stepped through the gate, the sounds of Fuchsia City faded, replaced by the rustling of leaves, the chirping of unseen Pokémon, and the distant call of what sounded like a Rhyhorn. The air was fresh and earthy, filled with the scent of wild greenery. Before them lay a vast expanse of diverse habitats – dense forests, open grasslands, and even a shimmering pond in the distance.
"This is incredible," Gilgamesh breathed, his eyes scanning the landscape. "I can't wait to see what rare Pokémon we encounter!"
As Gilgamesh ventured deeper into the lush foliage, a subtle, almost imperceptible hum resonated in his mind. It was a familiar sensation, one that had only occurred a handful of times before, signaling something significant.
SYSTEM ACTIVATED: HIGH POTENTIAL FOUNDED.
A broad smile split Gilgamesh's face. "Yes! System, tell me, what Pokémon is it?" he practically whispered, his heart beginning to pound with anticipation. This feeling was rarely wrong.
The System's voice, clear and concise within his thoughts, responded: "THE POKÉMON IS RHYHORN. POTENTIAL: MID-LEGENDARY. CURRENT STATUS: LOW-ALPHA POKÉMON."
Gilgamesh's eyes widened.
A Rhyhorn with mid-legendary potential? And it was already at a "Low-Alpha" stage, meaning it possessed an unusual strength and presence for its species. This was exactly the kind of find he dreamed of. Forget Chansey, forget Kangaskhan – a Rhyhorn with that kind of potential was an opportunity not to be missed.
"A Rhyhorn!" he breathed, a joyous laugh escaping his lips. "Yes! Let me go catch that!" He adjusted his grip on his Safari Balls, his gaze sweeping the immediate area, eager to spot the powerful creature that the System had identified. The hunt was truly on.
Gilgamesh moved with purpose, his senses heightened, following the subtle pull that the System had indicated. It wasn't long before he heard it – the distinct, heavy thud of hooves on earth, growing steadily louder. Pushing aside a thick curtain of ferns, he peered into a small, rocky clearing.
There it was. A Rhyhorn, indeed, but not like any he'd seen before. Its hide was a deeper, almost obsidian gray, and its single horn seemed to pulse with a faint, raw energy. It stood its ground, snorting, its small eyes piercing and intelligent, surveying its territory with an air of undeniable authority.
This was clearly the "Low-Alpha" the System had mentioned.
Gilgamesh took a deep breath, his heart thrumming with excitement. He knew this wouldn't be easy. Regular Poké Balls were useless here, and the Safari Balls required precision and luck. He chose his first Safari Ball carefully, aiming for a moment when the Rhyhorn seemed momentarily distracted, grazing on some tough scrub.
Whoosh! The ball sailed through the air and connected with a soft thwack against the Rhyhorn's flank. The Rhyhorn grunted, shaking its head, but didn't immediately vanish. It was a good sign.
Gilgamesh continued, throwing Safari Ball after Safari Ball. Some bounced harmlessly off its thick hide. Others shook once, twice, before the Rhyhorn burst out with an annoyed snort. He had to be patient, reading the Rhyhorn's movements, waiting for the perfect window. He tried throwing bait to distract it, then rocks to momentarily stun it, just as the Safari Zone guides suggested.
The tension mounted with each throw. His supply of Safari Balls dwindled. Ten left... five... The Rhyhorn, though powerful, seemed to be growing weary of this persistent human. It lowered its head, letting out a frustrated bellow, but still it didn't flee.
Finally, with only a few Safari Balls remaining, Gilgamesh saw his chance. The Rhyhorn, after a particularly strong charge, paused, momentarily winded. He hurled his twentieth Safari Ball with all his might, a silent prayer on his lips.
It hit squarely. The Safari Ball wobbled violently, once... twice... three times... then, with a definitive click, it stilled.
A triumphant grin spread across Gilgamesh's face. "Yes!" he exclaimed, a fist pumping the air. He jogged forward, retrieving the newly captured Safari Ball, feeling the solid weight of the magnificent Rhyhorn within. This was an excellent catch, a powerful foundation for his team, and a testament to the System's incredible insight. He couldn't wait to tell Misty.
Gilgamesh moved with a hunter's stealth, his eyes keenly sweeping the undergrowth. After a few minutes of careful tracking, a rustle in a thicket of overgrown bushes caught his attention. There, amidst the foliage, was a formidable Rhyhorn. It was larger than most, its rough, rocky hide a deeper grey, and its horn seemed to emanate a subtle, almost imperceptible aura of power. This had to be the "Low-Alpha" with "Mid-Legendary Potential" the System spoke of.
He took a deep breath, clutching a Safari Ball. This wasn't going to be easy. He knew the Safari Zone's rules – no battling, just pure luck and precise throws. He hurled his first Safari Ball. It struck the Rhyhorn's side, but with a defiant snort, the ground Pokémon shook it off, giving Gilgamesh a wary glance.
He threw another, then another. The Rhyhorn, annoyed by the persistent interruptions, stomped its heavy feet, kicking up dust. It would occasionally charge a short distance, its powerful horn lowering, forcing Gilgamesh to quickly dodge behind a sturdy tree. Each time, he'd seize the opportunity to launch another Safari Ball.
Safari Balls flew, one after another, bouncing off the Rhyhorn's tough hide, or sometimes missing entirely as the creature proved surprisingly agile for its size. Gilgamesh could feel the tension building, his supply of Safari Balls dwindling. He narrowed his eyes, focusing on every throw, adjusting his aim, trying to anticipate the Rhyhorn's movements.
He threw a handful of bait, hoping to momentarily distract it, but the Rhyhorn seemed more irritated than appeased. He then tried a rock, which agitated it further, but also momentarily made it easier to target. It was a delicate balance of risk and reward.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity and with only a few Safari Balls remaining from his initial thirty, one of his throws connected perfectly. The Safari Ball wobbled, then shook, once, twice, a third time, and with a satisfying click, it sealed shut.
A triumphant grin spread across Gilgamesh's face. He rushed forward, carefully picking up the captured Safari Ball. It felt heavier in his hand, imbued with the raw potential of the Pokémon within. He held it up, a silent cheer escaping his lips. He had done it. He had caught his high-potential Rhyhorn.