While sitting near the lake, Arin scrolled through news on his first phone-a modest device purchased with his hard-earned Safari Zone wages. The afternoon sun glinted off the water's surface as he reflected on how dramatically his life had changed since arriving in this world. From homeless and desperate to employed with a roof over his head, he'd come a long way in just two months.
He smiled, thinking about the joy of the Pokémon when he provided them with carefully mixed Pokéblocks during his feeding rounds. The Nidoran that approached cautiously at first now recognized him, the Sandshrew no longer burrowed away when he appeared, and even the territorial Spearow seemed to tolerate his presence. There was something deeply satisfying about earning the trust of these creatures, even if they weren't his own.
His coding skills had progressed nicely too. After weeks of diligent study and practice, he'd mastered the basic syntax of this world's programming languages and was beginning to understand the more complex frameworks. Soon he'd be ready to start creating basic apps for practical experience, taking his first real steps toward that passive income stream he'd been planning since his conversation with Mrs. Varma.
The Safari Zone's computer system had proven to be an unexpected blessing. With access to premium educational resources and development tools, Arin had accelerated his learning far beyond what would have been possible otherwise. He was careful, of course-always working during off-hours, never neglecting his actual duties, and making sure his digital footprints remained professional and work-related.
As he sat by the lake, enjoying his rare moment of solitude, Arin reflected on the path that had brought him here. The terror of first arriving in this world, the desperate days on Fuchsia's streets, the kindness of Mrs. Varma, and now the structure and purpose he'd found at the Safari Zone. It wasn't the life he would have chosen, but he was making it work, step by careful step.
That's when it happened.
A single, silent ripple disturbed the far side of the lake-small and seemingly insignificant. Most would have missed it entirely, but Arin's constant vigilance had made him attuned to even the slightest changes in the lake's surface. For weeks, he'd been watching this body of water with particular attention, hoping against hope that the anime's legend might prove true. Taking no chances, he activated his "Observe" skill, focusing intently on the disturbance.
What appeared in his vision made his heart nearly stop:
Dratini ♂
Type: Dragon
Level: 19
Ability: Shed Skin
IV Total: 142
Moves: Wrap, Leer, Thunder Wave, Twister, Whirlpool, Thunderbolt, Thunder
Optimal Diet: Dragon Berry Mix, Protein-Rich Fish, Mineral Water
Arin froze, hardly daring to breathe. A Dratini. Not just any Dratini, but one with an astonishing 142 IV total-champion-level potential that exceeded even his ambitious 135 threshold. And those egg moves! Thunder, Thunderbolt, and Thunder Wave explained why other water Pokémon gave this area a wide berth. A Dragon-type with powerful Electric attacks was a formidable combination that would make even experienced trainers wary.
He watched, motionless, as a sleek blue head briefly broke the surface, intelligent eyes scanning the surroundings before disappearing beneath the water again. The entire sighting lasted less than three seconds, but it was enough to confirm what his "Observe" skill had revealed. The legendary Dratini of the Safari Zone wasn't just an anime fantasy-it was real, and it was here.
Arin's mind raced through the implications. This discovery changed everything. A Pokémon with this potential could be his key to success in this world-a partner powerful enough to give him an early advantage despite his limited resources. But it also presented enormous risks. If anyone at the Safari Zone discovered he was targeting a Dratini, he'd lose his job instantly, possibly face legal consequences, and certainly never get another chance.
As he walked back to the staff quarters, Arin carefully kept his expression neutral despite the excitement churning inside him. He nodded to the rangers he passed, made small talk with Takeo about tomorrow's maintenance schedule, and gave no indication that his entire worldview had just shifted.
That evening, after dinner, he made his way to the computer lab as usual. But tonight's research had a very specific focus. He needed to learn everything possible about Dragon-type Pokémon, their habits, preferences, and especially their diets. The "Optimal Diet" information from his Observe skill was the key-specialized food that would attract the rare Dragon-type and potentially build trust.
Arin knew that searching for information about Dragon Pokémon food could raise red flags-such specialized knowledge was rare and might draw unwanted attention. Using techniques he'd been practicing, he established an anonymous browsing session, masking his IP address and leaving no digital footprints that could be traced back to him.
He began with general searches about water Pokémon diets, then gradually narrowed his focus, careful to follow a logical progression that wouldn't seem suspicious if anyone happened to review the logs. He learned that Dragon-types had unique nutritional needs-their metabolism required specific minerals and vitamins that weren't common in standard Pokémon food.
His search revealed that Dragon-type food was indeed costly-premium ingredients like rare berries, specialized vitamins, and mineral supplements didn't come cheap. A month's supply of proper Dragon food would cost nearly half his salary. But the expense would be worth it if it meant luring the Dratini to interact with him regularly. He could manage it with his modest earnings, especially if he was frugal with everything else.
Arin made careful notes in a coded shorthand he'd developed, recording the key ingredients and where they might be obtained. Some components were available in Fuchsia's market, while others would need to be ordered from specialty shops in larger cities like Celadon or Saffron. He'd need to be careful with such purchases, perhaps spreading them across different vendors to avoid patterns that might raise questions.
Before logging off, he cleared his browsing history, removed all traces of his searches, and spent twenty minutes researching maintenance techniques for the Safari Zone's irrigation systems-a plausible cover for his extended computer session if anyone asked.
Back in his room, Arin sat on his bed and updated his journal, using his personal cipher to record the day's monumental discovery. He sketched a rough map of the lake, marking the exact location where he'd spotted the Dratini, and began outlining a careful, patient approach to building a relationship with the rare Pokémon.
His plan would require absolute secrecy and perfect timing. He'd need to find opportunities to visit the lake alone, bring appropriate food without drawing attention, and gradually gain the Dratini's trust. Only then, when the moment was right, would he attempt to catch it-and even then, he'd need to keep its existence hidden until he was established enough as a trainer to protect both himself and his rare partner.
It would be months, perhaps even a year or more, before he could safely reveal such a Pokémon. He'd need to catch and train other species first, establish himself as a legitimate trainer, and build enough strength and reputation to deter those who might target him for a rare Dragon-type.
As he lay down to sleep, Arin's mind was still racing with possibilities. The Dratini represented more than just a powerful Pokémon-it was a symbol of hope, a chance at a future beyond the limitations he'd faced since arriving in this world. With a partner of that caliber, properly trained and evolved into the mighty Dragonite, he could potentially reach the highest levels of competition, earn real money and respect, and finally build the life he wanted.
For the first time since arriving in this world, Arin felt truly hopeful. Not just surviving, but potentially thriving. The ripple in the lake had created an even bigger ripple in his plans-one that might just change everything.
Tomorrow would be business as usual-maintenance rounds, staff meetings, the careful performance of his duties. But beneath that routine, a new fire burned. Every task completed, every skill learned, every connection built was now a step toward a very specific goal. The Dratini was out there, and Arin was determined that one day, it would be his partner.
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