Chapter 79: Chapter 77: Pokémon Paradise Opens Its Gates
Two days before the big event, Ethan posted an announcement on his official blog and Pokémon Biotech's Weibo account. He informed the public that Pokémon Paradise, a new park dedicated to his innovative creatures, would open its doors the day after tomorrow.
The message included a map and other important details, prompting an immediate rush to secure tickets. Within minutes, the first batch of tickets sold out on a partner ticketing site. Those who arrived too late to purchase them were left disappointed and hoping for more availability the next day.
In truth, Ethan planned the limited ticket sales on purpose. Although the park was large, he was concerned about overcrowding.
He wanted each visitor to be able to enjoy an unhurried experience with the Pokémon without being jostled by a massive crowd. He also realized how important cleanliness would be.
Over the years, the public had become more conscientious about properly disposing of their trash, and Ethan had placed numerous trash cans in strategic locations throughout the park to assist them. Still, he was concerned about the potential for chaos on opening day.
He imposed further restrictions on food. Tourists could only feed Pokémon snacks provided by the park, and anyone caught smuggling outside food into the park would be fined.
This rule was vital to controlling the creatures' diet and maintaining a peaceful environment. Some people on social media grumbled about these measures, but Ethan thought it best to make these guidelines clear from the start.
"Rules are essential," he explained in his post, "for the safety and well-being of all visitors and Pokémon alike.
He took comfort in the fact that Secretary Elijah, along with a legal team, had carefully reviewed each policy to ensure that there were no conflicts with local laws.
If a visitor caused trouble, Ethan intended to strictly enforce the park's policies. He recalled that conventional zoos kept animals behind fences or glass, but still faced occasional incidents where brash tourists taunted or endangered the animals. His Pokémon, on the other hand, were free to roam in open areas, so the margin for error was even smaller.
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On the appointed day, Pokémon Paradise opened at 8:30 a.m. By then, Ethan had arrived at the venue, dressed in a simple collared shirt and casual pants, ready to greet the arriving crowds and handle any last-minute details. He scanned the line of ticket holders forming at the gate. Some were young adults, while others were parents with children in tow. The excitement in the air was palpable.
Park staff directed visitors to the correct entrance, scanning their digital confirmations or physical tickets. Each ticket included a list of important reminders, such as "Do not feed Pokémon unauthorized food" and "Do not chase or frighten Pokémon. Even outside the entrance, large signs displayed the same rules. Ethan had worried that some people might find the rules excessive, but as he watched the guests read them carefully, he allowed himself a small sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, the staff walked around the perimeter of the park, testing earpiece radios and chatting with each other. A recorded announcement played over the loudspeakers: "Welcome to Pokémon Paradise. Please line up for tickets, then proceed to the ticket check. We hope you enjoy your visit. Remember to check the rules printed on your ticket."
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James, Ethan's trusted associate, came over to report that almost all of the first wave of visitors had arrived. James commented with a grin, "According to the website, our tickets sold out within minutes this morning. Looks like the hype is for real."
Ethan nodded in agreement, glancing at the hustle and bustle near the front gate. "Let's see how many rules they break," he said wryly. "Hopefully the park's rules are clear enough that everyone will follow them." He turned his attention to the local vendors who had set up booths outside the park, selling everything from cold drinks to novelty T-shirts. Some had arrived as early as six in the morning to prepare for the influx of customers.
"I might have to make stuffed animals and other souvenirs," he mused aloud. "People usually like to take something home, especially from a place like this."
James' eyes lit up. "That's a great idea. Souvenirs are standard for major attractions. If we make plush versions of Pichu, Squirtle, and so on, we can have the shops near the entrance sell them on consignment. I'm sure the visitors would love that."
Ethan agreed. They walked into the small surveillance room, where a couple of employees were watching more than ten live camera feeds arranged on several screens. The cameras showed every corner of Pokémon Paradise, from the grassy clearing to the small lake and beyond. With no visitors yet, the screen was quiet, but it would soon show a flurry of activity.
"You're going to have your hands full once people start coming in," Ethan teased, patting a cameraman on the shoulder. "Keep an eye out for trouble, but don't worry too much. We have staff everywhere."
Leaving the surveillance room, Ethan and James strolled to the main path of the park. By now, visitors were walking past the ticket booth and into the wide entrance area. They looked at the grass and trees, then at the open fields where Pichu and Squirtle were frolicking. A few Pokémon noticed the humans, pausing in their midst to stare back in curiosity. A moment of silence passed, as if each side were assessing the other.
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A young couple stepped forward first. The girl held a small container of fruit slices provided by the park and knelt near a group of Pichu. One Pichu in particular approached and sniffed the air. She held out a sliced apple, and the Pichu cautiously picked it up with its tiny paws. Its eyes gleamed as it took a bite. Delighted, the girl slowly reached out and gave the Pichu a tentative pat on the head. The little creature narrowed her eyes happily, enjoying the affection.
"Soooo cute," she breathed, her expression beaming with joy.
Seeing the couple's success, other tourists crept in with food samples of their own. Squirtle were present, too, though some retreated shyly behind a small hill as the crowd advanced. "Be careful," a staff member reminded them, "Squirtle can panic when cornered by too many people.
Most visitors behaved well, but there were occasional problems. One parent had a particularly boisterous child who grabbed a Squirtle by the tail and pulled repeatedly.
The Squirtle responded by whipping around and spraying a jet of water that knocked the child off balance. The boy began to cry, tears streaming down his face, while his mother rushed over in a rage. She insisted that Pokémon Biotech owed her an explanation for soaking her child.
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Hearing the commotion, Ethan rushed over. "What happened?" he asked calmly, surveying the situation. A soaked child was sobbing on the floor as the mother glared at the startled Squirtle. The staff arrived, too, and politely asked the mother to tell them what she had seen. She snapped that the park should punish the Squirtle or compensate her upset child.
A staff member calmly said, "Ma'am, the park rules are very clear that you cannot grab Pokémon by the tail or cause them distress. This incident was caught on camera. Your child pulled the Squirtle's tail several times. The Squirtle used a Water-type move in self-defense. We can offer towels and a place to change, but we cannot blame the Pokémon for protecting itself.
The mother's eyes flashed with indignation, but she noticed that other visitors were looking at her with annoyance. Some even nodded in agreement with the staff. Realizing she was in the wrong, she reluctantly softened her stance. The staff gave the child a dry shirt from the lost and found and gently reminded her to be more careful. Satisfied that the situation had been resolved without a major scene, Ethan stepped away to continue surveying the park.
He saw two little girls feeding an unusually large group of Pichu. They were giggling as the Pichu trotted around them, each taking small morsels of fruit. Further down the trail, another family took photos of a squirrel balancing on the edge of its shell to show off. Despite small hiccups, the overall atmosphere was one of joy.
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Watching from a short distance, James grinned. "Looks like we're off to a good start, except for that one incident."
Ethan nodded. "And that's why we keep the cameras rolling at all times. As long as people follow the basic rules, Pokémon Paradise should be fun for everyone."
Back at the entrance, new groups arrived, while those who had spent some time exploring began to trickle out, all smiles and excited chatter. Many wore cheerful expressions, comparing photos or short videos on their cell phones. A handful even showed off small Pichu and Squirtle stuffed animals they had snagged from a pop-up stand near the gate.
Ethan took it all in, feeling a surge of pride. He knew there was still work to be done to refine the park's operation. In the coming weeks, he planned to gather feedback and tweak the layout or policies as needed. But at least for the first day, the place was buzzing with enthusiasm, laughter, and precious memories in the making.
As the clock neared noon, staff began to usher visitors toward the exit, reminding them that the park would be closing for a midday cleaning and Pokémon break. While a few tried to linger and squeeze every last moment out of their visit, most respected the schedule and left willingly, promising to return another day.
With that, Pokémon Paradise concluded its first public morning session, and Ethan Grave could breathe a little easier. Sure, there had been some confusion and one angry parent, but those mishaps seemed small compared to the overwhelming flood of happy faces. If the afternoon session went as smoothly, he thought, Pokémon Paradise would prove to be a true success - and a shining testament to the bond that could be forged between humans and these wondrous new creatures.
...
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