Bang!
Tyrunt had no time to dodge; a sudden mound of earth slammed into its belly, the tremendous force catapulting it skyward.
The agony only roused the savagery in its bones. Mid-air, Tyrunt wrenched its body around, channeling every ounce of momentum into its thick tail—Dragon Tail!
Camerupt is right here!
Through the feel of the Sandstorm, Tyrunt locked on to the patch of ground hotter than the rest and whipped its tail in a ferocious arc.
Smack!
A sharp crack pierced the Haze, followed by Camerupt's stifled grunt of pain.
The field fell deathly still; only dust and swirling black mist drifted in slow motion.
After what felt an age, the sand and black fog thinned, revealing the scene—
Both Pokémon lay sprawled on the ground, motionless, fainted.
"This..."
Haruhiko and Anjie rose together, astonishment written across their faces.
Marina clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide with disbelief.
"B-both of them..."
Grandma Mitsuyo gazed in silence, then at last lifted her palm-leaf fan, weariness in her voice: "Tyrunt is unable to battle. Camerupt cannot continue. Lionel, you used only two Pokémon; our The winning family has lost."
Lionel darted forward and gently cradled Tyrunt in his arms.
The little one burned with fever, breath faint, yet still nuzzled his palm as if to comfort its trainer.
"You did great, Tyrunt."
Lionel murmured.
At that moment Anjie lightly tossed a Poké Ball. A red flash, and Roselia stepped gracefully onto the field—tired from the earlier clash but essentially unharmed.
Seeing the fainted Tyrunt and Camerupt, Roselia straightened, cupped its flowers, and let a gentle green glow rise around its body.
The Heal Pulse unfolded like a warm halo, enveloping the two injured Pokémon.
Soft green threads of energy seeped into Tyrunt and Camerupt; Tyrunt's tensed muscles relaxed, and Camerupt's ragged breathing steadied.
Holding Tyrunt, Lionel watched Roselia's focused casting and thanked Anjie, "Thank you, Roselia—and Auntie Anjie."
Roselia shook its head, indicating it was nothing.
"We're all trainers; when a Pokémon's hurt you help out."
Anjie waved a hand, smiling.
"Besides, your Tyrunt and Beldum are so strong—sparring with them is good training for our Pokémon."
Haruhiko had already carried out a big wicker basket brimming with Berries—Oran, Pecha, and more. "Here, take these!"
Grandma Mitsuyo tapped his arm with her fan, the tone of an elder brooking no refusal: "Our Liansheng house rule—after any match, win or lose, we give Berries as gifts. Refuse and you're saying our things aren't good enough."
Faced with the family's warm smiles, Lionel relented and took a few of each. "Then I won't stand on ceremony. If I pass this way again, I'll definitely visit."
"You're welcome anytime!"
Haruhiko clapped his shoulder. "After you challenge the League, don't forget to let us know."
Marina brought over a photo frame, pointing to the bright-eyed youth in the picture, pride and earnestness in her voice: "Big Brother Lionel, this is my big brother! When you enter the League tournament you're sure to meet him. Be careful—he's way stronger than us! I'll tell him all about today's amazing battle with your Tyrunt, and then he'll avenge us!"
When they parted, the setting sun had painted half the sky crimson.
Marina hugged Marill, waving from the gate: "Big Brother Lionel, do your best! One day I'll be like you, taking Marill to challenge Gyms!"
Lionel waved back until the oasis-like courtyard vanished from sight, then turned and walked on toward the desert. After about an hour the rosy afterglow faded into dusk.
The once-golden sand now wore a calm, dusky brown, and the air itself seemed cooler with the darkening sky.
Just then, far ahead at the desert's edge, Lionel spotted a small, scattered camp.
A dozen makeshift tents dotted the sand in uneven rows, their canvas colors muted by dusk yet still warm with human life.
Several trainer-like figures sat around a campfire, sparks dancing in the evening breeze while a few Pokémon lounged beside the flames.
Sandslash curled up beside its trainer, Graveler dozed on the ground, and Cacturne stretched its spiny arms, swaying now and then as if feeling the wind.
The trainers roasted food over the fire, passing pieces to one another; the air carried the aroma of toasted bread and salted jerky, irresistible in the dry desert air.
"So this is the temporary rest stop the shopkeeper in Mauville City mentioned."
Lionel murmured, slowing his pace to study the scene from afar.
A simple lean-to had been erected at one side of the camp, rough wooden tables beneath it.
Plastic crates held ration biscuits, bottled water, anti-Sandstorm hoods, even hand-drawn maps—clearly supplies for passing travelers.
After watching for a moment, Lionel shook his head and stayed where he was.
A rest stop full of comings and goings might be safer with numbers, but the noise made it poor ground for Tyrunt's coming training.
While studying Devon Corporation's map the night before, he had marked a safe zone ten li east of the rest stop: a cliff area near an oasis.
Its rock face blocked the night's sand-laden wind and water lay close by—quiet, secluded, ideal for a camp.
For water he cared little; with Feebas's Rain Dance, temporary supplies were easy.
What truly tempted him was that a Devon survey team had once camped there, proving the spot safe and reliable.
Darkness settled; a handful of stars appeared, scattered like diamonds on black velvet.
Lionel halted and flicked two Poké Balls into the air.
"Tyrunt, Beldum—come on out."
Red light flashed; the two Pokémon landed steadily on the sand.
Tyrunt shook its head, gave a low "awoo," small legs leaving shallow pits in the sand.
Beldum hovered lightly, its red crystalline eyes bright in the night, scanning the surroundings like a vigilant sentry.
Thanks to Roselia's Heal Pulse that afternoon, all weariness had vanished; both were now full of spirit.
Lionel stroked their heads while planning silently.
He would have to teach Feebas Life Dew.
With it, injuries could be healed on the spot—vital insurance while traveling wild country.
As he thought, Tyrunt nudged his arm, then gently closed its jaws on the backpack strap and tugged.
Lionel blinked, then smiled.
The little fellow wanted to carry the load; he slipped the pack off, set it carefully on Tyrunt's back, and adjusted the fit.
Tyrunt tested the weight, then marched steadily beside him, tail flicking proudly at its new responsibility.
Beldum, not to be outdone, glided behind him.
A faint ripple of Confusion shimmered around it, gently lifting Lionel's waist and abdomen.
A soft force buoyed him; his steps on the sand became light and quick.
Beldum was using Confusion to lessen his pressure on the sand, letting him move faster across the soft surface.
"You two…"
Lionel laughed softly, warmth rising in his chest.
He lifted his gaze; the dunes ahead loomed like sleeping beasts, their outlines ghostly under starlight.
Ten kilometers was no short walk, yet with Tyrunt and Beldum helping, they would cover it quickly.
"Let's go—find those cliffs."
Lionel stepped forward, leading the way.
Tyrunt carried the pack, trotting beside him, its little legs whispering "sha-sha" across the sand.
Beldum hovered off to the side, Confusion steady beneath him, red eyes sweeping the dark, alert for the slightest movement.
۞۞۞۞
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