The morning sun broke like liquid gold pouring across the horizon. A thin mist clung to the grass, shimmering under the early light, and the air was heavy with the scents of dew, earth, and the faint electric crackle of distant Pokémon battles.
Niyah pulled her hood up as a chilly wind swept across the open plain, ruffling her hair and making her tug the oversized sweatshirt Nessa had given her tighter around her frame.
"Alright team," she said, stretching her arms as her eyes scanned the endless expanse before them, "the System says we've got three days to find our next partner. Let's make it count."
Her Pokémon appeared around her in a soft burst of light.
Litwick, flickering bright even in daylight, a confident grin in the way his flame danced.
Mimikyu, arms crossed and head tilted, the ragged Pikachu disguise fluttering slightly in the wind.
Togekiss, wings fluttering delicately as she hovered beside her trainer, the air shimmering faintly with residual Fairy energy.
Each one had grown stronger, sharper, and more attuned to Niyah's strange rhythm. That blend of mischief and intuition that seemed to drive her forward. They were family now, bound by something deeper than simple loyalty.
"Objective's simple," Niyah said, scrolling her Rotom Dex's screen. Roty buzzed sleepily to life, its screen flickering.
"Bzzt... three days? You could at least read the small print before you accept quests at random, you know," the little device muttered.
Niyah smirked. "Details are boring. Adventure's not."
Mimikyu tugged her sleeve impatiently, pointing toward the dense field of tall grass ahead. "Kyu!"
"Yeah, yeah, let's move." Niyah laughed and started walking, her boots crunching against the soft soil as they ventured into the heart of the area.
—
They spent the first few hours scouting. A pair of Rookidee darted overhead, their metallic cries echoing through the open air. Niyah paused to watch one dive into a bush, emerging with a wriggling Caterpie in its talons. "Too common," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.
"You sure?" Roty buzzed. "Corviknight's are strong. Could be great transportation later."
"Transportation's boring. Besides, I've got Iris. She'll fly me someday, besides wrong typing." Niyah's tone was certain, half faith, half promise.
Deeper into the fields, they came across a group of Baltoy, spinning idly in a clearing surrounded by half buried stones. Their movement was eerie, mechanical and rhythmic, as if keeping time with something only they could hear.
"Psychic/Ground, huh?" Niyah knelt, observing them quietly. Litwick flickered beside her, his little flame reflecting off the ancient clay bodies. "Not bad typing. But... nah. Not ghost or fairy, also way too predictable."
Mimikyu tilted her head. "Kyuuu?"
Niyah shrugged. "They move like they're reading from a script. We need someone who can break rhythm, not follow it."
Togekiss gave a delicate coo of agreement, twirling once in the air before landing lightly behind her trainer.
Their journey continued. The landscape shifted from vibrant greens to dry, cracked earth. The sky grew hazy, a soft tan glow hinting at the desert zones that lay beyond.
Roty beeped nervously. "Bttz, detecting sandstorm activity ahead, boss."
"Perfect," Niyah said with a grin.
—
The air was different here, thicker and harsher, the wind tasting faintly of grit and dust. Every gust seemed to whisper across the dunes, carrying fragments of words that weren't really there.
"Spooky," Niyah murmured, shielding her eyes from the sting of sand. "Feels like home."
Mimikyu leapt up onto a rock, peering out at the swirls of brown and gold. The storm was sporadic, small bursts of sand rising and falling, like breathing. Between them, shapes moved: wild Pokémon, hardy and hidden.
The first they encountered was a Sandile, its dark scales glinting beneath the sun as it growled lowly from a ridge. Litwick bristled immediately, his fire flaring blue-hot.
The ground Pokémon bared its fangs, ready to lunge but Niyah held up a hand. "Wait."
They faced off in silence for several moments, heat rippling between them. Finally, Niyah's expression softened. "You're strong," she said. "But you've already got a pack somewhere. You wouldn't fit with us."
The Sandile seemed to understand. It gave a sharp snort before retreating into the sands.
Roty buzzed, mildly impressed. "That's twice now you've turned down a good one. You getting picky, or what?"
"Not picky," Niyah said. "I'm waiting for the one who feels right."
—
Hours passed. They met a Trapinch next, its jaws snapping through rocks like brittle candy. It fought fiercely, lunging straight at Litwick with surprising speed, but when the little candle's flames hit, the little ground type simply dug underground and disappeared.
Then there was a Drilbur, whose claws shimmered like steel. It circled Niyah with suspicious eyes, daring her to act first. When she didn't, it huffed and scampered off.
"Guess they don't like my vibe," she sighed.
Togekiss trilled, wing brushing her head in reassurance.
"Yeah," Niyah said softly, "I guess we'll find them soon enough."
And she was right.
Because as the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sandstorm in hues of orange and rose, the ground beneath them started to hum.
A low, steady rhythm ancient, almost mechanical.
Mimikyu tensed, shadow tendrils curling protectively, Togekiss floated lower, Litwick flickered uneasily. "Wick..."
Roty's screen glitched once. "Bzzt, boss? Massive energy reading dead ahead. Not a normal mon."
Niyah's eyes gleamed. "Finally."
—
They followed the pulse of that hum to a canyon of fractured stone. The wind whistled through it like the sigh of something long-forgotten. And there, half buried in the sand, stood a stone figure. towering but small, still, and strangely intact.
Its body was carved from old clay, etched with runes that glowed faintly blue beneath the setting sun. A circular seal pulsed softly in its chest, like a heartbeat.
Golett.
It wasn't moving, not yet. Just standing guard, hands folded, gaze turned toward the horizon.
Niyah stepped closer, sand crunching beneath her boots. Her Pokémon followed, wary but curious.
As she drew within ten feet, the light in its chest brightened. Once. Twice. Then,
Thoom.
The sound vibrated through the canyon, shaking dust loose from the walls. Golett's eyes opened, glowing white-blue, ancient and aware.
"Here we go," Niyah whispered.
—
For a moment, everything was still.
Then the Golett moved.
Sand cascaded from its shoulders as the ancient automaton turned, its stone feet grinding against the earth. Its eyes locked on Niyah, two glowing orbs of energy burning through the hazy air.
The ground quivered with every step it took.
Thoom.
Thoom.
Thoom.
Litwick flared defensively, blue fire leaping from his candle like a challenge. Mimikyu crouched low, her jagged disguise rustling as shadow tendrils uncoiled. Togekiss hovered above, light shimmering faintly from her wings.
"Roty," Niyah murmured, her tone level but sharp, "scan it."
Roty beeped nervously. "Bzzt, readings are off the charts. Energy type unknown, something ancient. Much bigger than any recorded Golett size in my database. Whatever that seal on its chest is, it's keeping something contained."
"Perfect," Niyah said, smirking. "Let's test our luck."
The Golett raised an arm, slow, deliberate, and its fist began to glow with earthy, pulsating energy. A shockwave of dust burst outward as it swung down.
"Lumos, Acid Armor!" Niyah commanded.
The Litwick's body shimmered, his form liquefying slightly as the attack slammed into him. The ground cracked beneath them, but the blow slid harmlessly across his hardened shell.
"Counter with Will-O-Wisp!"
Blue flames shot forward, circling Golett's body. The fire clung to the ancient clay, burning ghostly bright but Golett barely flinched. Instead, its eyes glowed brighter, almost angrily.
"Btzz, not good," Roty buzzed. "Seal reaction increasing!"
The wind began to howl. Sand whipped through the canyon, swirling into miniature cyclones. Golett let out a deep, resonant hum, the sound of a bell tolling across centuries and its chest seal cracked slightly.
Niyah's grin faded. "Oh. That's what you meant."
"Lumos, fall back!"
But Golett was already moving, faster, heavier. It brought its hands together, summoning a ripple of ground energy that cracked the stone floor and sent a shockwave barreling toward them.
Litwick dove aside, his flame flickering wildly. Mimikyu appeared in a blur, taking his place.
"Alright, tough guy," Niyah said, eyes narrowing. "Mimi use Double Team!"
Instantly, half a dozen Mimikyus flickered into existence, darting around Golett like mischievous ghosts. The giant swung at one, it vanished. Another leapt on its back, smacking it with a Wood Hammer.
"Now chain it!"
Every clone struck in unison, wham–wham–wham! echoing across the canyon. Golett staggered, sand flying, the seal on its chest flashing bright blue in protest.
For a second, it looked like they might actually be winning.
Then the crack widened.
The light burst out, searing white-blue, and a blast of raw power erupted from Golett's core. The clones were obliterated instantly. Mimikyu was thrown back, tumbling across the sand before rolling to a stop.
"KYUU!"
"Mimi!" Niyah sprinted forward, shielding her eyes from the radiant flare. Through the glare, Golett rose, its calm posture gone, movements jerky and wild. The energy pulsed unevenly through its body, etching new cracks along its limbs.
"Bzzt, seal integrity, zero percent!" Roty buzz in panic. "It's going berserk!"
Niyah clenched her fists. "So that's what happens when the seal breaks…I thought things like this only happened to Golurks!"
Togekiss swooped forward, eyes gleaming with determination. "Tic!"
"You sure?" Niyah asked softly. The Togekiss nodded once.
"Alright, partner. Let's calm this thing down. Extrasensory!"
The air shimmered. A wave of psychic light rippled outward, striking Golett squarely in the chest. The giant roared, the sound not pain, but resistance and slammed its fists into the ground. Massive chunks of stone shot upward in a Rock Slide, hurtling toward Iris.
"Magical Leaf!"
Bright green leaves spiraled out, slicing through the flying debris, turning rocks into glittering dust. Togekiss darted between the falling stones, every movement fluid and precise.
"Now, Metronome! Bring something to wash it down!"
The Togekiss twirled midair, her hands glowing with pure potential. Niyah felt her heartbeat sync with the flicker of that light, the strange, guiding rhythm of fate.
The move sparked and turned into Surf.
A massive wave of water exploded from thin air, crashing down upon Golett with enough force to send it staggering backward. The ground hissed as water met sand, steam curling upward.
Niyah blinked. "...That was strong?"
Roty's screen flickered. "You really shouldn't be surprised anymore."
But Golett wasn't done. The wave rolled off its body, it absorbed the momentum, its eyes blazing again. The berserk energy flared higher, twisting the wind into a miniature sandstorm around it.
"Okay," Niyah breathed. "New plan. Iris, distract it. Lumos and Mimi help me contain it."
Litwick reappeared at her side, his candle burning white hot now, fueled by determination. Mimikyu, bruised but grinning beneath her disguise, gave a sharp nod.
"Smokescreen!" Niyah ordered. "Shadow Sneak after that!"
The canyon filled with smoke and shifting shadows. Ghostly silhouettes flickered through the haze as Mimikyu darted between Golett's feet, striking and vanishing, striking and vanishing again. Litwick's flames danced through the fog, bursts of light and heat adding to the confusion.
Niyah's hand reached toward her bag, fingers brushing against a Luxury Ball. "If we can calm it.."
Then she stopped.
Golett wasn't attacking anymore. It stood still in the storm, its chest flickering weakly. Iris had descended, hovering near its head, her wings glowing with a soft, healing light from Morning Sun.
For a heartbeat, the canyon felt peaceful.
Niyah stepped forward, slowly. The wind brushed past her, whispering against her hood.
"You were made to protect people, weren't you?" she said quietly. "But you've been alone so long, you forgot what that meant."
The Golett's eyes dimmed slightly not in aggression, but fatigue. It tilted its head, like it understood.
"Then let's fix that," Niyah murmured. She raised the Luxury Ball. "Come with me. Protect others again."
The Golett didn't move, didn't resist. It only closed its eyes as the red light surrounded it.
Click.
The ball rocked once.
Twice.
Three times.
Ding.
Niyah exhaled, falling back onto the sand with a grin. "Welcome to the team, big guy."
"Btzz, btzz, Niyah congratulations! Would you like to give the newly caught Golett (Genderless) a nickname?" Roty buzz, levitating in front Niyah with the other Pokémon looking curiously at the Luxury Ball in their trainer's hand.
"Well since it's been here for probably forever and then some how about, 'Eon'" Niyah said in amusement.
"Btzz, btzz, nickname selected, welcome to the team Eon! Would Niyah like to look at Eon's summary?" Roty chirped.
"Yup!"
[Summary]
Name: Eon
Personality: Protective
Gender: Genderless
Species: Golett
Category: Automaton Pokémon
Type: Ground/Ghost
Height: 4'08" (Average 3'03″)
Weight: 311.2lbs (Average 202.8lbs)
Potential: Elite Potential
Ability: Iron Fist (Increases the power of all "punching"moves)
Hidden Ability: No Guard (Ensures that all attacks used by, and targeted at, the ability-bearer hit without fail.)
Moves: Astonish, Shadow Punch (Mastered), Stomping Tantrum (Mastered), Iron Defense (Mastered), Drain Punch, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch (Mastered), Stealth Rock, Rock Slide
Level: 28
"Wow this guy has all the elemental punches?! And Iron fist, this is awesome."
—
The storm faded. Evening fell.
The team gathered around a small campfire. Litwick happily flickering against the soft glow, Togekiss floating lazily above them, Mimikyu sitting cross-legged with her disguise half pulled up, revealing tired but content eyes.
Niyah looked at the newly caught Poké Ball sitting beside her. The faint pulse of energy inside it matched her own heartbeat.
Roty beeped softly. "You really do attract weird ones, bzzt?"
Niyah chuckled. "Guess I do. But... they're mine."
[System Notification: Quest Completed]
Objective: Catch Your 4th Team Member — Success!
Reward Unlocked: 1 Regional Variant Ticket
Current Tickets Held:
— Mega Stone Ticket ×1
— Pseudo Legendary Ticket ×1
— Regional Variant Ticket ×1
[Next Quest Unlocking Soon...]
The glowing text faded from Niyah's vision, leaving only the quiet hum of the Wild Area and a girl staring into her campfire, smiling like she knew something the world hadn't figured out yet.
She looked up at the sky, stars beginning to pierce through the fading orange clouds and smiled softly. "And I think we just made another piece of something big."
The wind carried her words away, blending them into the soft hush of the Wild Area night.
Far to the east, thunder rumbled faintly, distant, but unmistakable.
The storm of destiny was far from over.