On their way to a safari zone teeming with Pokémon, our heroes walked right into the middle of a jungle. Without knowing they were in a region in which Pokémon are protected, Ash tried to capture what he thought was a Chansey and is arrested by Jenny, the safari ranger. After talking with the ranger, Ash is released, but not before he learns that there are Pokémon poachers in the area. Within the jungle, a little boy lead a pack of Kangaskhan. A helicopter lands and two adults come out, saying they heard a report of their missing child in the area. At Jenny's request, they all go back to the station where the mother explained that, five years ago, at the age of three, the family decided to take him on a globe-trotting adventure. Tommy's father decided to hold him outside the helicopter's window, and despite his wife's warning, he dropped their son into the forest below. They managed to locate Tommy's parachute, though their search for their son was in vain. Tommy's mother states that they received a photo of a boy leading some Kangaskhan, and thought that it might be their son. Jenny instantly recognizes the boy in the photo as Tomo, the same boy who rescued the Kangaskhan from Team Rocket, and reveals that she has a directory of his details with her.
Later, the gang wandered in the jungle, being forced to carry Tommy's parents in a palanquin. However, they drop the palanquin after noticing an abandoned, injured infant Kangaskhan, and Brock applies a Super Potion to its wounds. However, the Super Potion stings it as it is applied; as a result, Tommy heard the infant's cries and thinks Brock is hurting it. Brock and Misty manage to dodge the flying boomerang, which instead hits Ash's cheek. Tommy confronts the group, though Misty intervenes and demands an apology. Tommy was unable to remember then Tommy's father smacked him with a piece of wood to give him amnesia and start from scratch, but it jogged his memory, though he only remembers his mother. Just then, Jenny's radar detects more poachers, and Tommy rushes over to the Kangaskhan to help. Seeing Tommy's knee-jerk reaction to aid the Kangaskhan, his mother feels her efforts to retrieve him are hopeless, though she is reassured by her husband.
Tommy arrives to find most of the herd are fast asleep and responds by throwing his boomerang, though his effort is ineffective. Team Rocket turn their attention to him, launching a Rocket Punch, though Tommy dodges it. At that moment, the others arrive, Team Rocket powers up for an attack, but the Kangaskhan break free. Pikachu and Charmander use Thunder Shock and Flamethrower, respectively. When Tommy throws his boomerang, it hits the robot's fuel cap and the gasoline pours out, while Charmander's fire sets it ablaze. Though the robot is on fire, it doesn't slow down and begins charging towards Jenny's jeep as she attempts to flee. Suddenly, Tommy's parents ram their helicopter into the robot in a kamikaze attack, causing it to explode. Team Rocket is sent blasting off again. Everyone, including Tommy, fears his parents are dead and he begins to cry, but they suddenly emerge from the twisted debris, wearing similar clothes as Tommy. They reveal that they will join Tommy and his herd, much to Tommy's delight, and the family embraces each other. The next day, Ash and his friends continue on their journey, but they are worried about Tommy and his family's future. However, the Kangaskhan herd reappear on a ridge; Tommy, his parents, and the infant Kangaskhan, in the leader's pouch, wave goodbye, confirming Brock's reassurances and optimism.
A Rhydon grazed, Tauros stampede and Nidoran nuzzled together lovingly.
The group has finally arrived at the Safari zone, a place well known for its odd variety of roaming pokèmon. Naturally, both Ash and Laoise are excited to be here.
Ash was happily marching ahead singing a little tune with Misty smiling at his enthusiasm. Brock was a little more unsure at all the singing.
Five steps behind, Laoise had her headphones on and was singing 'Come alive' from the greatest showman.
They reached the Safari Zone entrance, first was the gatehouse, the only building for miles. It had magnificent, blue-stone roofing, half-timbered exterior walls, an array of windows, and a raised wooden deck granting access to the front door.
The gatehouse sat beside a wooden fence standing thirty feet high at least. This fence stretched out like a couple of arms, extending in either direction and encompassing the Pokémon-filled grasslands hidden on the other side of the thick, wooden planks. An archway hovered above a gate with a sign reading: 'Safari Zone - World's Greatest Pokémon Preserve!'
"Going to Safari zone where Pokèmon roam!" Ash sung merrily, Pikachu stood on his backpack looking as cheerful as Ash.
"You're giving me a headache." Brock whined. "Misty, don't just stand there, do something!"
"I'm gonna catch some pokèmon today!" Misty sung along to join in on the fun.
"Pika Pikachu...!" Pikachu sang with a jovial little smile.
Laoise finally caught up, "So come aliiive...!"
Brock then sang off-key, "Oh how I'd really like to catch a break today-heyyyy..."
"BE QUIET!" An old man had emerged from the gatehouse. "You're not Jigglypuffs, if you're just here to annoy the pokèmon with that dreadful singing, then leave!"
Laoise glared back. "Not our fault you lack a musical ear, mister!"
"We're here to catch pokèmon!" Ash added.
The man pulled out a pistol and pointed it at them. "You poachers aren't you?"
The quartet was horrified. Despite her fear, Laoise was irritated. "You're the one who might go to jail!" Laoise retorted, "You got six bullets, which would leave one witness and twenty five years to life!"
Both Ash and Brock covered her mouth.
"Of course not!" Misty whimpered. "We're just your average pokèmon trainers!"
"Eh, well your faces seem honest enough." The man said putting away the gun much to the group's relief. "Name's Kaiser, I'm the warden here at the Safari Zone."
Minutes afterwards the group entered to register, the gatehouse interior was a simple arrangement of sofas, chairs, and tables sitting atop old carpet. Various green plants broke up the mundane browns and oranges of the furniture and decor. A counter sectioned off a third of the room, and two closed doors sat behind it.
Kaiser was currently behind the counter rifling through drawers and cabinets. Brock and Ash already paid for their turn. Then Kaiser shows the group a basket of Safari Balls, two pagers and a fishing rod.
Ash is delighted, "Wow, safari balls and a rod, these'll really help my pokèmon to-" he reached eagerly for them.
Only for Kaiser to pull it back and explain the rules of the Safari Zone: " You may only use the Safari Balls and the rods to catch the Pokémon here." The revolver was strapped to his hip, flicking the hammer with his thumb. "Anyone caught breaking this rule will be dealt with severely.".
"Got it!" Ash sweat dropped.
Laoise visibly soured but didn't say anything. She walked up and paid for her use.
Misty, who'd been looking around, noticed a photograph. "I can't believe what I'm seeing! Could this be a Dratini?"
It was a photograph of a younger Kaiser next to pokémon: An endearing looking blue serpentine shaped dragon pokèmon with a white underside. It had white, three-pronged fins on the sides of its head and a white bump on its forehead, which is its horn growing. Above its round, white snout are oval, purple eyes.
Brock and Ash walked over as Misty took down the photo to show them. Laoise had finished paying for her turn and now walked up to see what had caught their interest.
"I heard rumors about a Dratini being in the Safari zone." Brock mused. "Guess they're all true."
Kaiser moved fast and snatched the photograph right out of Misty's hands. "There is no Dratini!"
"Hey, what's the big idea?!" Ash retorted then he and the other winced when Kaiser thumbed the revolver.
Laoise stood her ground and rolled her eyes. "Oh relax, I bet those rumors are fake. Same as that so called photo there. I bet there was never a Dratini, just another scam made to rip off people's dreams!"
"You believe in a lot of things, but you have a hard time believing a Dratini might've been here years ago?" Misty questioned.
"Don't you think if there were any Dratinis, loads more would've seen a number of them by now? " Laoise pointed out.
Kaiser didn't even bother with Laoise's claims, he just walked outside, taking the picture with him.
"And why's he getting so worked up?" Misty wondered.
"There must be a reason." Brock said. "Let's ask Prof. Oak."
"Right, I gotta call my folks too to let them know I reached the Safari Zone."
None of them knew that Kaiser was staring at the picture nostalgically while outside, and apologized to Dratini, saying that he will never bother it again.
Finally the group call Prof. Oak, who answered on the first try. "If this is about Kaiser, I know him very well. He used to take me on guided tours back in the day." The Professor said.
"Why would he claim there is no Dratini?" Ash asked.
"I doubt there ever was." Laoise grumbled.
"Ah," Professor Oak began. "Kaiser discovered the Dratini thirty years ago, but after he did, numerous trainers who heard the rumors flooded in. They began catching pokèmon indiscriminately, and in so doing the Safari zone ecosystem was nearly reduced to a wasteland. Since then the rule that you can only use thirty Safari balls in the Safari zone had taken place."
"So that's what happened." Misty sighed.
"What happened to the Dratini?" Ash asked.
"In the end it was never found." Prof. Oak said solemnly. "Only a simple picture remained. I don't know much save it being considered a legendary Pokémon. More importantly, shouldn't you and Laoise be catching more Pokémon?!"
"I-I know." Ash said sheepishly, showing off what he was given. "This time I'm sure to catch some."
"I already paid for the stuff Prof, we're just about ready to set out. First I wanted to check up on my family before my parents rang up this place." Laoise replied.
Prof. Oak waved a farewell. "Alright, then I'll be waiting in anticipate."
Now Laoise dialed up her home in the Bluebell Hollows.
"Hey, hey! There she is!" Laoise's father's voice was heard.
She saw her entire family beaming proudly.
"We just got your package, Bunny boo!" Taryn, Laoise's second eldest sister was lightly hopping on the balls of her feet in excitement.
Shae, Laoise's first eldest sister, held up the medal and photograph. "Second place in that Big P Pokémon Race in the Laramie Big P Ranch, that's big."
Laoise blushed proudly. "Thanks, it was a wild and crazy ride but I had fun. And so did Typhon."
This is an amazing achievement, your father's talking non-stop about that Gyarados of yours."
"It gets better. Mom, Dad, Shae, Taryn, you'll never believe what happened!" Laoise gushed excitedly, and she opened her badge case to show off her soul badge. Taryn proudly announced she'd be bragging about it nonstop at school.
The family gasped and cheered at Laoise's new badge. "Ah lass, ye done us proud!" roared Dave, taking on an Irish accent in his excitement. "That Soul Badge be a grand trophy!"
"That's incredible, Laoise!" Taryn cheered, bouncing with excitement.
Shae smiled proudly, "Second place in the Big P Pokémon Race is no small feat either. And I know Koga doesn't hand out victories easy. You must've given him a tough match!"
Hyacinth's eyes gleamed with pride, "Sweetheart, you continue to amaze us with your dedication and skills as a Pokémon trainer. I feel like you're growing up so fast."
Laoise felt a warm glow in her heart, surrounded by her supportive and loving family. Their encouragement fueled her spirit and strengthened her resolve to continue her journey as a Pokémon trainer.
"Thanks, everyone," Laoise said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I'm so lucky to have such an amazing family cheering me on. I'll keep pushing forward and striving to become the best trainer I can be."
"I'll bet Typhon would've swept the floor with 'em," chuckled Taryn. Shae nodded knowingly - their sister's bond with her Gyarados was the stuff of legend.
Laoise blushed, ever modest.
"We're right in the Safari zone, and just about ready to head out. Talk to you all again soon!" Laoise explained.
"Alright, be careful out there!" Her family bid her farewell, shouted blessings and encouragements.
Laoise waved goodbye and turned to her friends with a smile. "Now, onto the Safari Zone!"
Team Rocket, overhearing the conversation from up on the roof, decided to catch Dratini and the Safari Zone's other Pokèmon.
Five minutes later, the gang is about to enter the Safari Zone, Safari Balls and fishing rods in hand.
"Remember now, once you've used up all your Safari balls. Return immediately." Kaiser instructed.
But before they could take another step, they are confronted by Team Rocket, who proposed a challenge: whichever group catches more Pokémon will win. If Ash and his friends win, Team Rocket won't bother the group ever again. If Team Rocket wins, they will take all of the group's Pokémon.
Ash accepted the challenge, confident that he and Laoise alike will win. Jessie scoffed at Ash's confident declaration that justice always prevails.
"In fairytales maybe. Do all trainers live in a fantasyland?" Jessie sneered.
Laoise glared at Team Rocket. "Hey, the outside world might be wicked and cruel because of people like you..."
"Oh stop!" James gushed as if he were complimented.
"You're making us blush!" Jessie giggled.
"I'M NOT FINISHED!" Laoise snapped, stamping her foot.
The others stared, even Kaiser was mildly impressed.
"As I was saying, the world may be miserable, wicked and cruel because of people like Team Rocket and other horrible people." Laoise said then pointed at James and Jessie. "But I can reassure that I can easily turn this into an EC horror comic, if you two try to pull a fast one!"
"Maybe it's better not to push your luck?" Brock whispered.
Team Rocket exchanged irritated looks. "Big words for twerps!" sneered Jessie. "We'll see who has the last laugh. The prize Pokémon of this Zone will be ours!"
"That's what you think!" retorted Ash.
"Ash, Brock, Misty, Pikachu, are we doing this together or not?"
"Wait for us!" Ash called.
"You shouldn't have done that." Misty said, concerned with Laoise's outburst towards Team Rocket.
"Hey, I've dealt with way too many bullies back then." Laoise replied, "Took a lot of sessions and self-confidence building from my sisters and Taryn's friends. Sydney said you can't take a step back from those kind of creeps."
The four found themselves standing before a vast plain stretching out for miles and miles. Umbrella-shaped trees dotted the landscape, as well as the occasional pond, patches of tall grass, and a thin river cutting across the safari. A lush green forest of towering trees and tangled roots positioned itself just beyond the plains, and beyond that, it was impossible to tell.
The size of the safari was impressive. Clusters of Pokémon roamed the wide-open plains, grazing together or just minding their daily business. Birds flew overhead. Bugs scuttled across the ground, over dirt mounds, and behind boulders of varying sizes. They all were blissfully unaware that they had become targets for a pair of trainer and their collection of empty Safari Balls.
So they opted to split up Ash and Brock went one way, Laoise and Misty in the other.
The scenery was breathtaking, with umbrella-shaped trees casting dappled shadows on the grassy plains. The gentle rustling of leaves and the distant calls of Pokémon filled the air, creating a sense of tranquility amidst the thrill of the hunt.
Misty and Laoise moved cautiously through the tall grass, our eyes scanning for any signs of movement or rustling that could indicate the presence of Pokémon.
The first Pokémon that Ash and Brock saw was a herd of Tauros; Ash and Brock catch two of them easily with Safari Balls. The boys then hid behind bushes while observing a Rhyhorn. Ash threw a Safari Ball at it, but just then, the herd of Tauros runs past, causing Ash to end up catching yet another Tauros while Rhyhorn gets away.
While the girls, walked through a prairie area.
"Remember you need to be collecting different kinds of pokèmon." Misty reminded.
Laoise was looking around then something caught her eye. "How about that for starters?"
Napping underneath an umbrella tree, was a small, quadrupedal Pokémon. It had large, spiny ears, oversized front teeth, and whiskers on each cheek. It is light blue with several darker blue spots. There are two white claws on each of its paws.
"Nidoran female, the Poison Pin Pokémon. Its Poison Sting is quite powerful for its size, but its horn is smaller than the male's."
"Ooh! A Poison type!"
"Go for it!"
Laoise stealthily prepared a Safari Ball, taking careful aim at the unaware Nidoran. With a flick of her wrist, she threw - and scored a direct hit!, sucking the Pokémon inside with a flash of red light.
The ball wiggled once...twice...THREE TIMES! Then stopped with a soft 'ding' to signal a successful catch.
"Alright!" Laoise pumped her fist in glee. She picked up her new partner's ball and examined it fondly. "Welcome to the team, Nidoran."
Misty grinned. "That's one. Shall we keep searching?"
"Let's do it!" With renewed zeal, Laoise stuffed the Safari Ball onto her belt and continued deeper into the grasslands alongside her friend.
There came a sound like distant thunder, and the ground began shaking. But it's no earthquake.
"Are those the Tauros?" Laoise wondered.
Misty turned and was alarmed, "No, another type of pokèmon with hooves!"
A herd of wild Ponyta was coming straight at them in a blind stampede!
"Make for that tree!"
The two girls scrambled up a tree and watched the herd pass then Laoise scrambled for a Safari ball. "Here goes nothing!"
And she threw it. The Safari Ball arced high and descended upon the thundering herd. Laoise held her breath as it bounced off a speeding Ponyta's flank... and with a flick of red, absorbed the fiery steed inside!
The ball fell to the grass below. Once...twice...THREE times it wobbled - then stilled with a ding!
"Yes!" Laoise whooped, scrambling down to claim her prize.
Misty clapped excitedly from above. "Great catch, that Ponyta was moving fast!"
"Thanks, looks like I've found myself a new fire type now too!" Laoise grinned, securing the ball to her belt. No time to rest though - that was two safari balls down and more to go.
Jessie observes the group from afar, commenting on how Team Rocket will end up getting all of the Pokémon anyways. It is revealed that Team Rocket is inside the entrance building, with James holding a revolver to Kaiser's head. Jessie holds another revolver to Kaiser's head while asking him to tell them where Dratini is. Kaiser resists, prompting Jessie to send out Arbok to wrap itself around him. After several unsuccessful attempts at getting Kaiser to talk, Team Rocket sends out a mecha that tickles Kaiser, which causes him to finally concede.
The two girls had been debating where to go next when Laoise stopped. Peering into the foliage, her eyes widened with delight. There, nibbling leaves atop a mess of roots, was a Pokémon she never thought she'd see in the Safari Zone. Its soft brown fur and doe-like eyes gleamed with quiet intelligence.
"An Eevee..." Laoise breathed in wonder. The little creature seemed unfazed by her presence, allowing her to gently stroke its head. Her heart swelled with affection.
"I'm going for it!" Laoise whispered.
"Do it!" Misty whispered back, keeping her voice down so as not to scare the little pokèmon.
Ever so carefully, Laoise reached for an empty Safari Ball. If she moved too suddenly, the timid Eevee might run.
This was her chance. With the utmost gentleness, Laoise tapped the ball against Eevee's soft head. In a flash of red, it was absorbed inside - and the shaking began.
One wobble... two wobbles... Laoise held her breath. On the third, a successful ding! echoed out. She'd done it!
"Yeees!" Laoise squealed softly, clutching the ball to her chest. Her wish of finding an Eevee had come true in this very Zone.
Misty flashed a thumbs up, smiling at her friend's excitement.
But there was no time to celebrate yet. Laoise carefully tucked Eevee's ball away, glancing at the sky - they'd used four balls already. The third she'd used on a Venomoth.
"How many hours do we have left?" asked Laoise.
"The allotted time is six hours." Misty replied. "Maybe we oughta try fishing for some water types?"
"Good point. We should meet with the boys in that lake we saw earlier."
"Be careful with those remaining Safari balls, we still wanna beat Team Rocket." Misty reminded.
"I will, we just gotta keep an..." Laoise then took a misstep on the giant tree roots she had been climbing down with and promptly fell down an open knothole with several safari balls.
"What did I just say?!" Misty scolded. "Huh...?"
Aside from Laoise's pained grunts, there came the sound of several safari balls opening, shaking then successfully closing with final clicks. What did Laoise end up catching down there?
"Hey, Misty, I made an echo!" Laoise joked.
"Oww..." Laoise groaned, slowly shuffling her new catches off her sore body. She blinked in surprise at the array of Pokéballs surrounding her in the dim hollow.
With care not to jostle her precious cargo, Laoise ascended back to sunlight. Misty helped haul her up, eyes wide at the haul. "Come on, come on, let's get to that lake before dusk."
As the friends continued on, Laoise's heart swelled with affection for whatever wonderful new friends she'd gained through a silly accident.
En route, Laoise grinned as she successfully captured a Zubat with a well-aimed throw of her Safari Ball. The ball captured the bat-like Pokémon in a flash of red light and sealed its fate with a satisfying click.
"Another catch for the team!" Laoise exclaimed, feeling the thrill of adding yet another flying Pokémon to her collection.
Misty chuckled, "You're on fire today, Laoise!"
Laoise nodded, her eyes shining with excitement, "I can't wait to see my new pokèmon in action."
As the girls walked to the Lake, they noticed a bushes of white Camellia flowers. Fortunately there didn't appear to be any Beedrill nearby.
"These flowers are beautiful." Laoise picked one and put it in her ear.
"That they are, wish I could take a bunch though." Misty sighed. "Let's get to the Lake. Maybe the boys caught more too."
"Right." Laoise agreed.
None of them noticed that a particularly different kind of pokèmon was following.
The girls met up with Ash, Brock and Pikachu at the lake. Laoise started using the fishing rod she'd rented and waited.
Misty began digging in her bag for her fishing lure case. "Today I'll be using the Misty special." She takes out one modeled after herself.
"The Misty special?" Ash questioned. "You can catch things with that?"
"Just watch." Misty threw the lure into the lake. She leisurely began reeling in her lure.
"Have you got anything yet?" Ash asked.
"I've only just started," Misty said indignantly. "Give it some time to-!"
The line began pulling down, she got a bite.
"I got a bite! And it's a big one, help me reel it in!" Misty yelped.
Ash and Brock hurried to help, Laoise set the fishing rod on one side to give a hand.
"Don't let go!"
"We'll pull it up together," Ash declared.
"NOW!" All four trainers pulled with all their might.
But they got the shock of their lives when Misty's catch turned out to be a Gyarados!
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" They all screamed.
The line then broke, allowing the wild Gyarados to return to the water.
"I didn't even know they lived here." Misty said.
"So much for that." Laoise said. "Maybe there's some more pokèmon around here we can get before time runs out."
They heard hysterical laughter. Kaiser appeared before them, being tickled by a mecha, and ask them to help get it off of him.
"Gangway!" Team Rocket was seen running past and jumping into bushes seven feet away... which turned out to be pricker bushes.
"What's the matter with them?" Laoise wondered.
"Laoise, look out!"
"What?" She turned just in time to see what looked like a Tauros But this one was covered in dark gray fur, and have a thick black mane, gray horns, black hooves, and dark gray tails with black tips. short, rounded, almost straight horns
And it was charging towards her!
"AAAHH!" Inevitably, Laoise began to run in fright.
Laoise dashed away as fast as she could, heart pounding. What kind of Tauros was this mysterious dark breed?! It bellowed fiercely, hooves thundering ever closer behind her crashing form.
"Help!" she cried out desperately.
"Use the Safari balls, girl!" Kaiser bellowed.
Laoise tripped, knocking into Kaiser, who was still in the tickling machine. In so doing, they fell on the others tangled in a heap.
The camouflage pokéball had inadvertently opened and scooped the flower Laoise had put in her own hair.
"My Safari ball!" Laoise cried.
Surprisingly, the black Tauros slowed down.
Full of nerves, everyone watched the ball rolled towards the black Tauros. They gasped.
The Tauros huffed a bit.
They all flinched, bracing for the charge. However, the bull sniffed the flower then inadvertently hits it nose against the button, getting captured.
Laoise's eyes widened in disbelief as the Safari ball made contact with the black Tauros, capturing it in a surprising turn of events. The tension in the air dissipated as the Tauros sniffed the camellia flower and inadvertently triggered the Safari ball's capture mechanism.
"Did... did that just happen?" Laoise stammered, staring at the Safari ball containing the black Tauros.
They gathered around the Pokéball, catching their breath.
Kaiser let out a hearty laugh, "Well, I'll be! Looks like that flower was the key to taming the beast after all!"
Misty chuckled, "Who would've thought a simple flower could calm down such a fearsome Pokémon."
Ash scanned it with his Pokédex, finding no data. "It's a mystery Tauros, that's for sure."
Brock smiled reassuringly. "Well, it's Laoise's to study now."
From their spot, Team Rocket poked their heads out covered in cockle-burs and other stickers.
"It just wanted the flower?!" James snapped.
Meowth glared at the other three. "You mean we jumped into the pricker bushes for nothin'?!"
"Never mind, we've got bigger fish to catch!" Jessie growled.
And they hurried away.
The group untangled themselves and got back on their feet. Laoise retrieved her Safari balls and checked to make sure everything was in order. She went to underbrush where the second Safari ball had rolled away and fetched it.
Weird, the one that rolled away contained something, but they won't know until it comes out.
"But what was that thing?" Ash asked, pointing to the mecha that held Kaiser minutes ago.
"That was one of Team Rocket's hideous machines." Kaiser answered. "They're after Dratini."
"But you said there wasn't any..." Brock began.
"I was only trying to keep it safe!" Kaiser confessed. "One lives in the lake within Dragon Valley not far from here."
The group exchanged intrigued glances at Kaiser's revelation. So their hunch had been right - a Dratini did dwell within the Safari Zone after all.
"Well then, we can't let Team Rocket get their grasping hands on it!" declared Laoise firmly. She scooped up the Safari ball containing her mysterious new capture. "And I think this Pokémon wants to help too."
As if in agreement, the ball shook slightly in her palm. Laoise smiled, already feeling a unique bond forming with the Tauros within. Its gentle nature gave her hope that it could assist in protecting Dratini, if properly befriended.
In the meantime, Team Rocket reached the lake inhabited by Dratini. James and Meowth don scuba gear and went into the water, while Jessie waits for them above.
Suddenly, a Dratini emerged from the water and revealed itself to her.
Smitten by it's precious appearance, Jessie kneeled down to coax it over with her right hand. However, she didn't notice she was on the air supply pipe, causing James and Meowth to struggle to breathe.
Just as Jessie tries to grab the Dratini, James and Meowth splash out of the water, scaring it away.
Naturally frustrated Jessie began shouting at James and Meowth. "You incompetent idiots! I almost had it!"
"Not a total loss." Meowth revealed a backup plan to capture all the Pokémon in the lake. "We'll just use a Team Rocket underwater stun bomb."
He explains that the bomb will zap all the Pokémon in the water and cause them to rise to the surface.
At that moment the gang arrived, with Ash getting Team Rocket's attention. "Hey!"
"Mr. Kaiser told us what's going on! That's a dirty trick Team Rocket!" Ash snapped.
"Dirty tricks is just one of our special skills. More importantly did you get any pokèmon?" Jessie gloated.
"We used up all the Safari balls." Ash replied.
"I used up mine too." Laoise said. "More than enough. The competition is over."
Jessie says that the game isn't over yet and throws in the bomb.
Ash and Kaiser jump into the lake after it, while Misty sends out her Staryu to assist Ash and Kaiser. Ash and Staryu catch up to Kaiser, and Ash orders Staryu to take Kaiser back to the surface. He reaches the bottom, retrieves the bomb, and starts to swim back up, but he runs out of air and sinks to the lake-bed.
Suddenly, a storm begins and a giant whirlpool churns the lake's waters. A bright blue light beams through the whirlpool.
And out of it a pokèmon appeared with Ash on it's back.
"The Legendary Pokémon Dragonair..." Kaiser was stunned.
At once Laoise and Ash's respective pokèdex's went off, analyzing the beautiful watery pokèmon.
"Dragonair. The dragon pokèmon. Dragonair stores an enormous amount of energy in it's body. It is said to alter weather conditions in its vicinity by discharging energy from the crystal on it's neck and tail."
"Team Rocket, I think this is yours!" Ash said, and he threw the bomb back at Team Rocket just as the timer sets off, causing Team Rocket to blast off.
"Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
The Dragonair gently eased Ash onto the shore.
Kaiser walked toward the magnificent pokèmon in a daze, and he understands that it was the evolved form of the same Dratini that he took care of all those years ago. For he recognized the carving on the horn as the one the Dratini had thirty years ago.
Both Kaiser and Dragonair were moved to tears by their reunion after so many years.
A Dratini then swam up next to Dragonair, and Kaiser figures out that this Dratini was Dragonair's child.
"This gets me all choked up inside." Ash admitted.
"A moving reunion." Brock added.
"I hope the pokèmon we befriend remember us just like that Dragonair remembered Kaiser." Misty said.
"And those morons said miracles can't happen." Laoise smiled. "I'd say a Dragonair reuniting with a human friend after so many years counts as one."
A beautiful moment indeed. Laoise gazed upon Dragonair and Dratini with wonder, sensing the deep bond of care and memory that transcended time. Such attachments between Pokémon and human... they gave her hope.
Back in the Safari Zone gatehouse, the quartet returned to make a video phone call to Professor Oak.
"We'll make sure not to tell anyone we saw a Dragonair or a Dratini." Ash vowed.
"Yeah, we wouldn't want the Safari Zone to get ruined again like it did long ago." agreed Misty.
Prof. Oak smiled. "You have all grown rather well yourselves. Incidentally, Ash did you and Laoise catch any Pokèmon while you were over there?"
"Well..." Ash sweat dropped.
"We just sent them over." Laoise said. "I think I might gotten some repeated ones, I think."
A herd of Tauros trampled over the Professor in a stampede, revealing that Ash failed to catch anything but Tauros.
"Tell me you didn't catch this many Tauros too, Laoise!" Prof. Oak yelped.
"I didn't. I only got one Tauros that doesn't seem to be from Kanto."
Prof. Oak inquired. "What do you mean?"
There were the sound of several new pokèballs arriving and opening. The black Tauros Laoise caught just looked at Prof. Oak serenely and tried to go outside.
"I think that's a Tauros from Paldea, where my friend Herbie and his chaperone are from." explained Laoise.
"So it is. So it is." Prof. Oak remarked, "And just about the calmest one I've seen too. Ah, here are your newly arrived pokèmon."
Laoise confessed. "The other Safari balls stopped working after we returned."
Laoise's new Ponyta, female Nidoran, Doduo, Venomoth, Zubat emerged. Then to everyone's puzzlement, Laoise had caught seven eevees but she's not too disappointed.
"That must've been what I heard getting caught when she fell in that knothole back at those tree roots." guessed Misty.
This made Laoise grin from ear to ear. When asked why she wasn't disappointed with catching seven of the exact same pokèmon, she said, "You'll never believe me once I tell you."
Laoise giggled as she related the tale of her unexpected fall and the seven Eevees it had yielded. Oak's eyes grew wide as coins at the outcome, while Ash, Misty and Brock burst into laughter at the ridiculous luck of it all.
Even Pikachu facepalmed with a giggle at the irony.
"Well then! It seems the Safari Zone certainly agreed with you all," chuckled Oak once the mirth had subsided. He peered fondly at Laoise's menagerie currently gathering around his lab - Ponyta pawing the ground, Doduo peering about curiously, all seven Eevees playing together in a fluffy pile.
"You've captured quite the diverse team already..." Prof Oak was then became surprised when he saw the last of Laoise's newly arrived pokèmon. "Oh-oh, I don't think your new Tauros is the only literal foreign Pokèmon."
"Huh?" All four trainers plus Pikachu and even Kaiser curiously leaned in to see.
"Why, the only other place I've seen this little fellow here..." Prof. Oak went to pick up the pokèmon. "Was in the Johto region."
It was a round, blue plant Pokémon with red, pupilless, beady eyes, two small, round feet, and a tail. Three cotton puffs, almost as large as the body itself, extended off it: one on each arm, and one on top of its head. Three to four leaves grew at the base of the top puff.
"A Jumpluff!" Laoise recognized the pokèmon from the books she'd read about different regions and their pokèmon. "When I ran from my new Tauros, that second safari ball fell loose and musta caught it in the process!"
"Well I'll be!" exclaimed Kaiser, scratching his head. "A Johto Pokémon, all the way out here? How did it come to be in the Safari Zone, I wonder?"
Jumpluff chirped happily, bouncing around the other pokèmon and sending puffs of cotton drifting through the air.
"Who cares how, I'm just glad it did!" said Ash with a grin. "Looks like you scored a different Pokémon, Laoise."
"That you did." agreed Oak on the video call. "Jumpluff will add an unique element to your team."
Jumpluff trilled, clearly already taken with its new trainer. Laoise's heart warmed further at each new companion. What adventures awaited with this diverse group at her side?
"I look forward to learning more about each as your journey continues." His gaze lingered on the Paldean Tauros, still calm where any other might be rampaging.
Kaiser thanked Ash profusely for his brave actions, assuring the little Dratini's protection. Then he turned to the others with a smile.
Finally by dusk, the quartet bid farewell to Kaiser. As the group departed, the Dratini and Dragonair watched over them.
In the Safari Zone there are many kinds of pokèmon, perhaps a day will come when they return here once more.
To be continued…
Author's note: Yeah, I had to get creative with this and what pokèmon Laoise caught since some weren't found in the Safari zone. I'll remedy that further on, regarding which ones she catches.
As for the Jumpluff, it rides the winds to cross the sea and fly to foreign lands, wouldn't be too weird. The Paldean Tauros now, he's a stowaway and basically a pokèmon version of Disney's Ferdinand the bull.