Searching for Pokémon

Most of the Pokémon in the Safari Zone were fairly common species, such as Raticate and Caterpie, which were plentiful in the woods and mountains.

Most Pokémon in the Safari Zone had gentle temperaments and would not attack people unprovoked.

As Zhang Cheng passed through the mountainous area, he spotted a few Geodude with decent potential, but he had no intention of catching them.

Geodude were far too vulnerable to Water-type moves to suit him. What he wanted most right now was an Electric-type Pokémon.

After some consideration, Zhang Cheng narrowed his choices down to two Pokémon that were relatively easy to obtain within Huaxia.

The first was Magnemite. Once it evolved into Magnezone, its base special attack reached 130. A Thunder unleashed by Magnezone would pack an absolutely explosive punch.

The second was Mareep. Once it evolved into Ampharos, it had a base special attack of 115.

Zhang Cheng preferred Mareep because it had a higher ceiling. Ampharos could undergo Mega Evolution, and according to his memories, Mega Ampharos had a base special attack as high as 165.

As far as Zhang Cheng remembered, a base special attack of 165 was something only Legendary Pokémon could reach.

With rainy weather supporting it, Mega Ampharos could unleash a Thunder that never missed. That kind of power would be downright terrifying.

Magnemite were generally easier to find near power plants. After examining the map, Zhang Cheng discovered that the Safari Zone had no power plant, so his chances of encountering one were very low.

Thus, Zhang Cheng made Mareep his main target. Its habitat should be out on the grasslands.

Using the map, Zhang Cheng located the Safari Zone's grasslands and rode his bicycle toward them.

Once he reached the grasslands, Zhang Cheng began a thorough search, spotting quite a few Grass-type Pokémon along the way.

There were the usual Oddish and Hoppip, and he also encountered some Bellsprout, but none of them particularly interested him.

If he encountered a Bulbasaur, Zhang Cheng might choose to catch it. He had little interest in the other ordinary Grass-type Pokémon.

He continued deeper into the grasslands, but there was still no sign of Mareep.

After cycling for so long, Zhang Cheng was getting tired, so he headed to the edge of the grasslands and sat down to rest.

He took out the food he had prepared beforehand and began eating. Once he had filled his stomach, he planned to look elsewhere for Mareep.

Zhang Cheng's plan was to search for Mareep first. If he still had not found one by around four in the afternoon, he would catch another Pokémon instead.

The Safari Zone closed at six. If he had not started catching a Pokémon by four, he might miss this opportunity altogether.

Just as Zhang Cheng was about to get back on his bicycle and move elsewhere, he suddenly spotted two Mareep where the grasslands met the mountains.

The two Mareep were nestled together, basking in the sun on the grass.

Zhang Cheng opened the system to check their information:

Name: Mareep (Level 12)

Gender: Male

Potential: C-

Type: Electric

Held item: None

Basic moves: Tackle, Growl, Thunder Wave, Thunder Shock, Cotton Spore

Learned moves: None

Egg moves: Screech, Sand Attack

Ability: Static (When this Pokémon is hit by a contact move, there is a 30% chance of inflicting paralysis on the attacker.)

Notes: Mareep, the Wool Pokémon. Its soft, fluffy wool can store static electricity. It has a gentle temperament and dislikes battling.

After reading this Mareep's information, Zhang Cheng was not particularly interested in catching him. The best level at which to catch a Pokémon was below ten.

Most Pokémon above level ten had already spent quite some time living independently in the wild. Such Pokémon were generally unwilling to be caught and follow a Trainer's commands.

Pokémon in their infancy had only recently been born and were still impressionable. If they were caught at that stage and built a bond with their Trainer, they would readily follow their Trainer's commands.

Furthermore, this Mareep's potential was not particularly high, and he had few egg moves, so Zhang Cheng had no intention of catching him.

Meanwhile, Zhang Cheng directed the system to scan the other Mareep:

Name: Mareep (Level 7)

Gender: Female

Potential: B

Type: Electric

Held item: None

Basic moves: Tackle, Growl, Thunder Wave, Thunder Shock

Learned moves: None

Egg moves: Take Down, Iron Tail

Ability: Plus (When another Pokémon with Plus or Minus is on the battlefield, this Pokémon's special attack increases to 1.5 times its original value.)

Notes: Mareep, the Wool Pokémon. Its soft, fluffy wool can store static electricity. It has a gentle temperament and dislikes battling.

This Mareep had a hidden ability. Plus had an incredibly powerful effect, but it was difficult to activate, requiring a Pokémon with the same ability to be present.

This Mareep also had very good potential, and her inherited moves were fairly powerful.

After searching for so long, Zhang Cheng had finally found Mareep. Of course he would not let such a good opportunity slip away.

After giving it some thought, Zhang Cheng decided against attacking Mareep outright and forcibly catching her.

Pokémon in the Safari Zone were much gentler than those in the wild, and Mareep were already a particularly docile species.

Zhang Cheng felt he could try communicating with them first to see whether Mareep was willing to explore the outside world with him.

There was another reason for this approach: Zhang Cheng realized that if both Mareep attacked together, he might struggle to handle them.

The Electric-type Mareep had a type advantage over both his Poliwag and Pidgey. With the Pokémon at roughly the same level, that advantage would make the battle extremely difficult.

Having settled on this approach, Zhang Cheng let both Poliwag and Pidgey out.

After releasing them, Zhang Cheng began explaining things to them, essentially bringing them up to speed on the situation.

Then he asked Poliwag and Pidgey to speak with the two Mareep and find out whether the female Mareep was willing to leave with him.

Poliwag and Pidgey were a little puzzled after listening. Their Trainer wasn't asking them to battle this time, but to go and act as persuaders?

Although they were somewhat confused, it was their Trainer's order, so they followed it. The two Pokémon scampered over to the Mareep.

Sure enough, the gentle Mareep did not attack them. Soon, all four Pokémon were chattering away.

"Poli~ Poli~"

"Pi~ Pidgey~ Pidgey~"

"Maa~ Maa maa~"

"Maa~ Maa?"

Zhang Cheng listened for quite a while without understanding a word. All he could see was that, as the Pokémon talked, they looked up at him.

After a brief hesitation, the two Mareep walked over to Zhang Cheng.