Safari zone

"I'm sorry, kid, but you just can't join anymore," a man said in front of a building that was about to close for roughly another year.

"Why not? The entries shouldn't be closed for at least another month!" he shouted, standing in front of the building, his voice tinged with frustration and disappointment. His long, brown hair peeked out from under a green beanie, and he wore a green jacket around his waist, with a matching green trainer bag. The morning sun made his brown skin glisten as he awaited a glimmer of hope.

The man sighed, trying to convey his regret. "Look, Khalid, was it? I'm sorry, but two girls already arrived before you and claimed the last vacant spots."

Khalid felt his dreams slip away like sand through his fingers. He clenched his fists, fighting back the tears. With a heavy heart, he turned away from the building and grumbled to himself as he walked away.

"We'll be available next year if you still wish to join!" they called out to him, but Khalid already knew that waiting another year felt like an eternity. What was he going to do until then?

"All this way from Hoenn for nothing," he muttered to himself as he strolled through the bustling streets of Fuschia. Trainers came from far and wide to catch Pokémon in the Safari Zones and challenge the gym leader. But Khalid had lost interest in any of it.

He stopped, observing a trainer with a Zorua walking into the Safari Zone. His interest was piqued as he thought of the possibilities.

"Hmm, maybe there are some Steel-types in there," he mused, considering the Safari Zone up ahead, a spark of hope igniting in his mind.

"Zorua, wait up!" I called out to my partner as we scaled a cliff with no alternative path. Our quest for new Pokémon in the Safari Zone was fraught with challenges.

Every muscle in my body strained as I struggled to climb, my fingers digging into the soil for a better grip, each one clutching a blade of grass. Zorua lent me a hand, tugging at my blue hoodie, her eyes reflecting concern for my well-being. At last, we reached the summit, and I peered down, realizing how far we'd climbed.

"That's quite a drop," I sighed, my fatigue evident in my weak smile.

Zorua stepped back, her tail raised tensely as she growled in my direction. I looked at her, bewildered.

"What's the matter?" I turned around to see a wild Kangaskhan staring me down. My heart sank as the colossal beast loomed over me, leaving me feeling utterly defenseless. Kangaskhan raised its arm, ready to strike.

"Come on, Zorua!" I shouted as I scooped her up and dashed out of the way of the impending attack. But Kangaskhan pursued us deeper into the Safari Zone, determined to hunt us down. The lush bushes gave way to a dense forest, and we ran for our lives, knowing we had no means of defense—only hope.

Kangaskhan bulldozed through the thick woods, toppling trees in its path to reach us. Desperation surged through me as I rifled through my bag, praying for a miracle. My trembling hand found the Safari Balls they had given us at the entrance.

With bated breath, I stopped and waited for Kangaskhan to approach before hurling the ball directly at it. The ball sprang open, bathing Kangaskhan in a crimson light before touching the ground.

It shook once.

It shook twice.

Kangaskhan burst out of the Poké Ball, its fury undiminished, granting me no respite.

"Lairon, use Double-Edge!" a voice rang out amidst the chaos. A Pokémon sprang into action, its steel exoskeleton smashing into Kangaskhan's side. The impact sent Kangaskhan crashing into multiple trees, rendering it unconscious.

"Are you okay?" A boy with brown hair and a green beanie extended his hand toward me.

"I'm fine," I muttered, pushing his hand away and getting up on my own. I turned to look at the Kangaskhan, relief washing over me.

"You do know you can't hurt the Pokémon here, right?" I asked bluntly, my voice tinged with frustration.

"Yeah, so I should've just let you die then?" he asked sarcastically, 

his tone became defensive. 

"Let's go, Zorua," I muttered, walking away from him to continue my search for more Pokémon. The boy stood there with his Lairon by his side, watching me in disbelief.

"You're welcome!"