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After a short break, to allow Lu and Torracat time to rest and regenerate, the four continued walking, passing by areas that seemed empty before something in a nearby pond splashed, catching their attention. Looking toward the noise, Brian frown at seeing another Goldeen. "It seems we're mostly running into Pokemon we've seen before, with the exception of a few that are actually native to Galar," he said, and Elio nodded in agreement. "I'm not keen on fighting it, since it's one of the smarter fish Pokemon and knows enough to use the water to its advantage." "I agree," Elio said. "While I'd love to battle it, Torracat can only do that from the shore, so it's not really worth trying to knock out." With this said, the two continued, trying to see if Galar had anything else to offer.

A Diglett popped up. "Well it looks like this place is full of these. And I guess we'll be leaving empty handed today." After a series of back and forth between Iron Tail and Mud Slap, the battle ended. Veronica and Vanta headed out of the safari zone with only practice battles under their belts and no new pokemon.

As we made our way off, we didn't move far before we heard that trumpeting wail once again. We looked back, staring in confusion. "Did that Cufant honestly follow us!?" I asked.

"I'm guessing we're going to have to fight this thing after all. I got it." Freth said.

"Its all yours." I said.

"I honestly don't want to keep running from a ticked off pachyderm. Hitmonchan, you're up!" Freth said. The Hitmonchan moved forward, smashing its fists together and got ready for the fight that was about to transpire. "Hitmonchan! Let's go for another Drain Punch!" Freth called out. The Hitmonchan rushed in towards the Cufant and smashed its fist right into the Cufant, causing great damage and once again started to recover stamina. At this point, it needed to get everything it could just to stay in the fight.

The Cufant wailed out in pain, but quickly retaliated, grabbing Hitmonchan with its trunk, whipping Hitmonchan around and slamming him down in a show of Strength. Hitmonchan yelped out once it made impact on the ground. "Hitmonchan! Look out!" Freth shouted. Cufant was rearing back on its hind legs, getting ready to drop all its weight into a stomp attack upon Hitmonchan. Hitmonchan went wide eyed, quickly rolling out of the way before the Cufant smashed Hitmonchan underfoot.

"Hitmonchan! Use Power-up punch!" Freth shouted. Back on his feet, Hitmonchan practically leaped at the Cufant, smashing his fist into the Cufant, psyching itself up for the assault was to follow. The Cufant reared back once again and stomped the ground, making the terrain unsteady, shaking Hitmonchan to his core and bringing him down to his knees. "Bulldoze again!?" Freth shouted.

"That's probably a Cufant's MO. They don't seem to be that fast! So if they can't catch you..."

"They'll slow you down." Freth said. "Figures...too bad Hitmonchan got ways around that! Hitmonchan! Mach Punch!"

The Hitmonchan pushed himself off the ground then started to leap about the now unsteady terrain, dealing a speedy punch upon the Cufant, racking up the damage. Cufant pulled back some, then started to come after Hitmonchan, its head shining and running right for the Hitmonchan. "And just like last time..." Freth said. "Counter!"

The Hitmonchan took a defensive stance. As the Cufant started to connect, Hitmonchan quickly retaliated, weaving off to the side then driving his fist right on the cufant's chin, uppercutting the Pokemon with great force, putting it up on its hindlegs and making it fall over backwards.

"Ow..." Tristen said, cringing.

"A boxer's haymaker...gotta love them." I said. "Let's get out of here before we get any other Cufant on our case." I said.


KOs
Blizzard w/ Torchic: 5
Tristen w/ Eevee: 4
Freth w/ Hitmonchan: 5, Captured: Cufant

Leaving the Cutiefly alone, we continued back south, trying to be mindful of not to cross the stream again since we still wanted to find anything else that this section had to offer. Unfortunately, we go from something that could Stun Spore us in a heart beat, to nearly any kind of spore with maybe a mix of Leech Seed under the sun and do it with much more efficiency despite its apparent softness and cuteness.

"A Cottonee..." I said. What doesn't help, I was pretty familiar with that Pokemon as well. Though I believe this was the first time we found one in this region, it wasn't the 'wow' we were looking for.

"Anyone craving coffee?" Freth said.

"I don't drink coffee." I would reply. "What brought that about?"

"Don't know...just...probably could use some. Iced Coffee. Are those good?"

"How do I know?" Tristen would ask. We would end up having a weird discussion as we left the floating, whimsical Pokemon alone.

The ball shook frantically, the Wimpod hell bent on making it out and to salvation, but then the shaking slowed down, and then finally...the most wondrous sound. The click of the ball. Tristen sighed in relief. "...we actually did it." Tristen went over and picked up the Pokeball, a bit content with himself, in not just making the capture, but managing to actually show he wasn't going crazy in this tournament.

Freth noting this started to feel hesitant. "So do we tell him these things are also native in Alola?" Freth asked. "He might find out later when he starts trying to learn about that thing."

"Let him learn the hard way. Let him have this for now." I said.


KOs
Blizzard w/ Torchic: 5
Tristen w/ Eevee: 4, captured: Wimpod
Freth w/ Hitmonchan: 5, Captured: Cufant

We started our way back to the north. Tristen was pretty much studying his Safari Ball, trying to think on the possibilities as to how this Wimpod will turn out in the end, though at the same time, perhaps how much of a pain it might be. Freth pretty much said it outright. This thing is a coward by nature; it might be easier said. For that matter, how would Wimpod take to the other members of his crew, who has seen...quite a bit of action over the past years. Excitement started to turn to worry at that point. Freth started to contemplate the possibilities of her Cufant while she was at it as well. Just upon meeting it, she was convinced by all rights it was a brute. As far as she was concerned, Cufant should be right at home with the likes of say Walrien or Mamoswine, who they themselves are brutes by nature. Though she also had to admit this was her first Steel type, so it was a bit of her wheelhouse if anything. More than normal anyways.

That still leaves me to find something and at this rate, I was starting to worry. Time was running ever shorter with the tournament and I was still being picky. Though I was almost convinced that whatever did come our way, even if it was perhaps another Cufant, Torchic could take on. Torchic did have a pretty big respite from the last battle he had. Though frankly, I think I had enough Cufant to last me for a while to be honest; and now I'm for all intents and purposes going to be living with one thanks to Freth. I...might want to find something else after all.

As we continued, I took notice to something on the field...something black and white, which left me a hair confused. It had a familiar shape, and similar markings with all considered, sans the black over it eyes were starshaped as opposed to rounded, and the eyes themselves were ruby red, and a pretty weird notion to leave its tongue free most of the time similar to a Lickatung. "...is that...a Zigzagoon?" I asked, tilting my head, taking out my SNAG.

"...that...is a weird Zigzagoon if it is." Tristen said.

I started to check it out and had the look of bemusement nonetheless. "That...is honestly a Zigzagoon. Galar got their own kind like they got their own Meowth." I said.

"Really?" Freth said.

I stared at the Zigzagoon for a moment, at least up until the Zigzagoon noticed us. "..." I could only think on a few things; I had to admit, the variants in regions did interest me a fair bit. My Alolan Vulpix kind of gotten me on that kind of tangent, and learning about Freth's Darumaka who supposedly originates from this region kind of kept me on that roll. "...you know what? I'll bite." I said.

"...you're...capturing a Zigzagoon. I mean, if they're anything like the ones in Hoenn, they're probably nothing that remarkable." Freth said. "You know, your standard run of the mill Pokemon you'd find on like...Route 101..."

"Yea, but I think I'll take a shot at this guy. Shouldn't be too bad, and I doubt unlike that Galarian Meowth we saw earlier, he'd able to turn a couch to paper mache with ease." I said.

"Fair, I guess...do what you want, I guess." Freth shrugged.

I sat Torchic upon the ground one more time, the little fire chick rushing towards the Galarian Zigzagoon. The Zigzagoon reared up, looking like it was ready for a fight. "Alright, lets see what this guy got."

Without even much provocation, the Zigzagoon was more than willing to oblige, ranting and raving fiercely, every syllable a Snarl, offputting Torchic, practically damaging it from the sheer intensity of its banter. "Uh, that escalated quickly. Torchic, Flame Charge!" I called out. The Torchic would quickly shake its head then charge, its body lighting ablaze and ramming right into the Zigzagoon.

The Zigzagoon tumbled back, but quickly got back on all fours, quickly retaliating and giving Torchic a harsh smack across the head. "A Knock Off attack? What...is with this guy?" I said. "Torchic, use Aerial Ace!" Torchic picked itself back up off the ground, leaped up himself and dove down upon the Zigzagoon, striking the white and black creature. The Zigzagoon yelped, then leaped back, then darted straight for Torchic full speed. "Torchic, incoming! Its a Take Down!" I said.

Torchic wouldn't be able to move out of the way in time, practically getting ran over and taken down with great force, taking pretty intense damage from the attack. While the Zigzagoon did hurt himself in such a fairly reckless manuver, it was pretty bad on Torchic's end. So much in fact, that unless something was done quick, this fight might be over and I'm out Torchic for the remainder of the day, let alone out of this Safari. "Torchic, Sand Attack!"

Torchic quickly turned around and kicked up hefty plumes of dirt and gravel, tossing it the face of the Galarian Zigzagoon. The Zigzagoon ended up yelping once again, trying to wipe the dirt off its face. In a frantic move, the Zigzagoon tried headbutting Torchic in retaliation, however Torchic managed to move out of the way of the temporarily blinded Pokemon. The Zigzagoon then managed to haunch up quite a bit, looking severely defensive. It was on guard, seemingly like it was waiting for whatever was to come for it to come.

"...this thing knows how to Counter?" I asked no one in particular. I looked to both Tristen and Freth, in confusion, and it was at this moment, I was perhaps more interested in capturing this thing than I originally thought. "Yea, lets not. Torchic, Focus Energy!" I called out. Torchic psyched itself up, getting pumped and ready for one last hurrah. Much to the confusion of the Zigzagoon, nothing came his way. Quickly it started to shake its head and started to wipe whatever it could of the earlier sand attack off its face. It helped too little to matter, but it did manage to see Torchic there, psyched and ready to go another round.

The Zigzagoon growled, charging after Torchic once again, leaping up and coming down once again to strike at Torchic. Torchic tried to weave out of the way, but unfortunately took yet another knock off, driving Torchic into the dirt. However, the Torchic was too pumped to care. "Torchic! Slash attack!" I called out.

The Torchic whipped itself back up and kicked hard with its feet, fiercely swiping at the Zigzagoon, cutting deep with its feet. Another yelp, louder than the rest. The Zigzagoon was not willing to give up easily...though as it was getting up, it was clear it was on its last legs after such a brutal swipe. "Yea, we're done here." I said, taking out the Safari Ball. I gave it the hard toss, ensnaring the Zigzagoon. And then...I awaited the moment of truth...

1 - 5 = capture

The Zigzagoon tried to fight more in the ball, but finally, the Zigzagoon had enough, and submitted to the ball, the ball clicking, signalling this battle was over. "That...was a little close..." I said.

"Tooorrr..." Torchic sighed out.

"Tell me about it. Good work, Torchic. You did real good today." I said.

"Torchic!" It then chirped up, accepting of the praise.

"So now...I guess I got a question here...not all of us can just hand over all the ones we got. Who turns in?"

"...good question." I thought for a moment. They did seem all good choices, but then... "Hey Freth, you go." I said. "Call it a bit of a hunch."

"You think?" Freth asked.

"Yea, you should be good. I think Cufant got the best shot of all of us." I said to her.

"Alright."

With that, the Safari, at least for us, was done and dusted. It was about time to go help Sub and the others with the other half of the tournament. The three Pokemon that Tristen, Freth, and I used had a hell of a day considering. It was probably safe to assume that to help Sub, we'd probably would end up leaving them in their Pokeballs to have a long deserved rest. Tristen and Freth would probably be up to finding a Roto-Drone to withdraw a Pokemon or two just to cover their Pokemon. The Safari Contest was a bit draining, but hopefully, this excursion was worth it.

KOs
Blizzard w/ Torchic: 5; Captured: Zigzagoon (Galarian)
Tristen w/ Eevee: 4; Captured: Wimpod
Freth w/ Hitmonchan: 5, Captured: Cufant

Submitting Cufant (3* rarity) for judging

The wandering would quickly draw Aria towards a nearby body of water that recent rains had created in the area, slowly drawing the presenter to it as she described her approach for her willing audience. "So, seeing as sticking to the grassier areas has been a bust for distinctly Galarian Pokemon, Im hoping that venturing towards this body of water might be more rewarding. Some info given to me has said that a very intriguing species of Flying Pokemon resides in this region and I'm hoping that this little body of water will have lured one down." Finally being able to see the shore, Aria would once again sigh as she spotted a Krabby, slowly scuttling around the place as if it was proud to have found a water source.

Sighing as she stared at the Water type, Aria would feel a new idea taking root to generate some entertainment. "Well.....since we haven't found any new Pokemon, I vote me and Billy beat up this Kanto native that got really lost for the adoring public." And without another word of discussion to the Roto-drone, Aria would pluck Billy off of her shoulder and throw the Toxel at the Krabby, shouting, "Nuzzle!"

The projectile thrown Toxel would quickly encase itself in a sheen of electricity, drawing close to the Krabby as it turned to see what that noise was. And it was quick on the response, sending a gushing Water Gun out in response, to repel this strange intruder from stealing its nice waterfront property. While a good idea in theory, the torrent of water proved to work well as a conductive surface, sending the electricity of the Nuzzle coursing straight into the Krabby regardless.

Taking the initiative as he landed, Billy lobbed out a glob of Acid towards the ornery Krabby. While it normally would have a chance to evade the ball of purple sludge, its limbs were currently busy figuring what this paralyzing current was that had them all locked up. But it would respond once it freed itself of its limb lock, throwing out a sharp Metal Claw that slammed into Billy's head and sent it snapping back almost level to the ground.

The small Poison type would take umbrage at this assault, giving a tiny yell before snapping his head back at the Krabby in a Flalil, bashing the Water type into the ground and taking it out of the fight. And Aria would run over, snatching Billy up with a cheer as she exclaimed, "Oh beautiful! You learned how to headbang and how well you can weaponize it all at once!"

Turning back to the Roto-drone as it flew over to keep up with her, Aria began her next spiel. "Now, our initial efforts to find anything even remotely Galarian exclusive have proven somewhat fruitless. However, thanks to our new sponsors, Licki Good, we have a potential solution. We are simply going to attach this piece of bait to the exterior of the drone and the natural Lickitung pheromonic attractants will lure in new Pokemon, guaranteeing us a much quicker turn around on Pokemon sightings and making sure that we finally see some of Galar's special native Pokemon for me to see!" Taking the piece of bait that had been kindly provided to her thanks to her camera Roto-drone and quickly opening up the container (making sure to let the camera catch sight of the cute design and pastel colors of the container), Aria would attach it just beneath the lens and give a smile to it as she did so. "Now then, lets see what delights our wonderful sponsors can get us!"