Chapter 27: Burning Aura

Sapphire groaned as he woke up, feeling extremely sore and worn out. His eyes cracked open and he found himself in one of the rooms within the Pokémon Center, with Spirit resting next to him. He blinked, sitting up slightly and wincing was his back screamed bloody murder at him for even trying to move.

He eventually managed to get his feet on the floor and scooted forward as he grabbed the edge of the bed. He reached forward and began petting Spirit, who was peacefully sleeping by his bed, her bright blue flames flickering gently and were warm enough to heat his body, but not burn him.

He grimaced as he felt some sweat sticking his clothes to him, and quickly removed his shirt. He assumed that the reason Spirit was next to him was because she was keeping him warm after passing out in the snow, but now that he was feeling better all it did was heat him up way too much.

The door to the room opened, and Willow walked in with Cobalt on her shoulder and Cream walking beside her. "He'll be fe— oh, you're already awake!" Willow beamed with happiness, before freezing when she realized he was shirtless.

Sapphire noticed and began laughing. "Wils, you've seen me shirtless before! What's the big deal?" Cobalt hopped up and Sapphire rubbed his head, "Hey, bud, what happened after I passed out?"

"Well, nobody was hurt, so people were able to dig out the snowed-in houses, with Willow's help. As for you, you were kind of… totally out of it, even worse than when you tried to look under Mimikyu's disguise."

"You tried to do what."

Cobalt ignored the deadpan question by Willow, "you were completely frozen, so we needed to have Spirit stay near you to keep you warmed up. All you needed was some rest, so me and Willow watched over you."

"How was I frozen? I fell into a few inches of snow, didn't I?"

"And you used five Z-Moves at once," Cobalt blandly shot back. "Z-Moves need aura to use, which we both know is the soul. It's why people and Pokémon get so tired after using just one Z-Move. You needed a hell of a lot of rest… it's been about a day."

"Right… Willow, when did you get here?"

"Just when everything ended. I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner… I was right nearby since I was training in the desert close to here, but I couldn't assist."

"Nah, don't worry about that. At least you helped with the houses and stuff."

"I suppose that's true…" Willow sat down next to him and turned away with a blush on her face. "I'm glad… that you're alright."

"Oh~? Is this about to turn into a confession?" Sapphire grinned and began poking her in the side. "Come on! Say it! Say it!"

"No!" She swatted his hand away before poking him back, which just led to them poking each other. The battle ended when Sapphire threw his arm around her neck and pulled her down into his lap, laughing at her outrageous sputters.

She froze as he began running his fingers through her hair, "thanks for taking care of me. I know I tease you a lot but I just find your reactions cute. You don't have to rush, you can tell me when you're ready to start dating whenever you feel fine with it."

Willow turned over, nodding. "Alright… I'll keep that in mind." She then blinked as she heard a camera shutter and looked up to see Sapphire taking a picture of her.

"Title this 'lap pillow for the bae'… aaaaand sent to the group chat."

Willow immediately began strangling him.


Anthony pulled up their group chat as his phone vibrated, and snorted at the picture. "Lewd."


Sapphire was able to leave the next day with only a few minor neck injuries, and a pouting Willow. With Willow's Pokémon, and some other Trainer's Pokémon that passed through the area, Tapu Village was quickly cleared of snow, and the Route's nearby were cleared as well with the help of Sapphire's team.

There were some Ice-Types that had been caught up in the snow, but thankfully, due to their hardiness and Typing, they were easily treated in the Pokémon Center while others climbed the mountain to check if the workers atop the mountain helping build the Pokémon League were alright, as well as check on any Pokémon that could have been injured.

Sapphire adjusted himself as he rode on Spirit's back, still slightly sore. "So, Haina Desert… sounds like the perfect place to train!"

"Yeah. Sounds peachy."

"Hey, harsh conditions are the best way to train."

Willow nodded, "correct. That's what I thought as well. I've been training since my attempt at the Ghost-Trial. The harsh sunlight during the day and sandstorms during the night are perfect for toughening up our teams."

"Oh, greeaaaat."

Cream giggled at his sarcasm while Sapphire just scoffed. "Dude, you helped to stop the full force of an avalanche, some sun and a few grains of sand won't kill you."

"It seems the jackal is not the strongest of our team, then," Spirit smugly noted.

"Can it, pony, you're the Fire-Type here!"

"Oh please, ignoring my Typing, my hooves aren't suited for these desert sands, heathen. And yet, you don't see me complaining, correct?"

"Alright, you two, don't make me pair you up for today's training!" Both Pokémon huffed and looked away, causing him to nod. "Alright, let's get a bit deeper into the desert before we begin to train."

"Right." They wandered deeper, eventually stopping by some large rocks they could use as landmarks and as shade from the blazing sun during breaks.

"Alright, everyone, get started!" Both teams gave various cries of acknowledgment before they ran off to begin their training. Sapphire noticed that Slowpoke had evolved into an upright Pokémon with some sort of crown, and Abaddon wasn't on Willow's team anymore, in their place was a hunched over, wolf-like Pokémon that had fur colored deep brown with red eyes and razor-sharp claws. "So, who's that?"

"Ah, that's Lycanroc, the Midnight form. I found him in the desert while training when he ambushed us suddenly. I caught him as I figured having a Pokémon with his ferocity would do well on my team. Slowpoke evolved while training here after I gave him a King's Rock to become Slowking."

"Sounds like a good idea to me. I should come up with some more nicknames for your Pokémon... I wonder if Midnight Lycanroc can use Lycanium?"

"Ah, the Professor gave you a species-specific Z-Crystal as well?"

"Yeah, which one did he give you?"

"Decidium, for Decidueye, Rowlet's final evolution. Apparently all of the starters have their own Z-Crystals, and since Dartrix is close to evolving the Professor gave me the crystal."

"Neato. So, switched out Abaddon to make room on your team?"

"Mhm. doubly so as he had evolved into Muk, and could use some relaxation at the Ranch."

"Man, why do all of your captures and evolutions occur off-screen? You're my deuteragonist!"

"Sapphire, our lives aren't a television show. Besides, for me, they don't occur off-screen."

"But if I'm the star of this show then the camera is mostly focused on me, right? You should start dating me and travel with me more so you get extra screen time."

Willow puffed her cheeks out and punched him repeatedly on the shoulder, causing him to laugh in between grunts of pain, rubbing his sore arm. "Jerk…"

"Ah, you love me. Hey! Spirit! Cobalt" He snapped his fingers and pointed at the flaming pony, who was arguing with Cobalt. "Don't argue, focus on training!" The two huffed and turned away from each other causing Sapphire to shake his head. "Those two need to get along better."

"Do they not?" She blushed at the bland look he shot her, "well you and Cobalt argue a lot!"

"Our arguments aren't never really heated. Friends argue like that, but Cobalt and Spirit just don't like each other. I have to intervene otherwise their arguments get heated. Well, that's all of Spirit's interactions with everyone besides Chrsyant, because she doesn't even realize she's being insulted and looked down upon," he answered with a snort.

"Yes, Spirit is certainly a proud Pokémon, it seems."

"Probably come with being a Shiny Pokémon."

"I suppose."

"Whaddya mean, 'you suppose?' That's totally it!" Sapphire chuckled, "c'mon, Shinies are super rare you know, most people never even see one! You can bet that every Shiny Pokémon has pride like Spirit's!" Willow rolled her eyes at his tone and nodded.

"Alright, alright, I see your point."

"Good. I'm glad." He nodded his head smugly and Willow giggled at him. "So, what do you do when your Pokémon train?"

"I read up on battle strategy and tactics, as well as quiz myself on Typing resistances, strengths, and immunities."

"…Wow, that's boring."

"That's smart."

"Whatevs." He rolled his eyes and snickered.

"You've told me that you practice with that aura book and work out as well, so it isn't like you can't say the same."

"Hey, but at least that's not all I do. I play games and stuff with my Rotomdex. Come on, I'll teach you how to play Smash!"

"Do I have to download it?"

"Uh… duh? It's not like every Pokédex and Rotomdex comes preloaded with Smash brothers."

"Quiet, I don't know anything about games…"

"And that's adorable," he spoke as he pulled on her cheek, laughing at her quickly smacking his hand away. "Now, let's play! Oh, and I've got some more ideas for nicknames…"

Several hours later and they had gotten Willow some experience in video games, as well as gone over several nicknames. However, they had to stop as a dark cloud swept in, threatening to swallow them in sand. "What's that?"

"That's… a sandstorm? Those start by sundown!"

"Wow, punctual sandstorms. Is that a thing? I don't think that's a thing." The Sandstorm suddenly rolled in, completely cutting off visibility. "Everyone, get back! We'll return you all to your balls and wait out the storm!"

"Sandstorms aren't supposed to occur in Haina Desert during the day!" Willow coughed as sand flew into her mouth after her explanation, causing Sapphire to pass her his hoodie as a bandanna while covering his mouth with his arm. He saw several dark shapes through the sand and their Pokémon made their way through the storm before they were returned to their balls. Sapphire coughed and slipped down his sunglasses, trying to hold them tight against his face. They weren't perfect for keeping the sand out, but it still helped.

"Cobalt! Spirit!" He looked around, unable to find the two Pokémon. "COBALT! SPIRIT, GET OVER HERE, NOW!" Even with his roar, his words seemed to be muffled by the sand.

"Sapphire, we have to get out of the storm!" Willow pulled his hand even as he looked around desperately, unable to find his Partner or his Ponyta. "Sapphire! They'll be fine, they're Pokémon, much more hardy than us!"

"But neither of them are used to the desert…"

"Neither are we, now come on!" Sapphire eventually turned and let Willow pull him along, into a small alcove beneath the large rocks they had been resting by. They slid down a slope, finally out of the storm and now in a cool, dank cave. The wind whipped by the entrance, and both of them coughed and spat out particles of sand, with even more shaken from their clothing.

They checked their Pokéballs, and Sapphire double-checked the Rotomdex, confirming that they had all of their Pokémon bar two. Cobalt and Spirit. The blue-clad boy looked out of the cave worriedly, and Willow lay her hand on his shoulder. "I'm worried…"

"They'll be able to take care of themselves. I guarantee we'll find them."

"Don't worry, I know we will. We won't lose each other. But it's just Cobalt and Spirit… They already don't like each other, having to survive together in the middle of a storm like this might just break whatever civility they have when speaking with each other." Willow nodded, following his gaze and looking out the cave with him, before he chuckled. "No… No, they'll get through this, together."

"How do you know?"

He gave a simple answer, coupled with a smirk. "I believe in them."


The sandstorm had been seen on the horizon, but it had swept over them before they could retreat to Sapphire and Willow. Unfortunately for Cobalt and Spirit, they had been training their stamina by doing long-distance sprinting while always keeping the rocky landmark in the distance to come back to.

But with visibility down to just a few feet in front of their eyes, they couldn't find their way back. "We need to do something…"

"A brilliant idea, jackal," Spirit whinnied condescendingly.

"Zip it, flamebrain!" Cobalt growled and shook his head, closing his eyes and trying to sense Sapphire's aura, or maybe Willow's as sand pelted him and disrupted his concentration. After a few seconds, he shook his head. They were too far away, if he was a Lucario, or had trained his long-distance aura sensing, maybe he could have found them. But right now, they had no orientation and were completely lost.

"Damn storm!" Spirit Stomped on the ground, sending more sand into the air and making Cobalt growl.

"Watch it!"

"Enough of this! I remember vaguely where the landmark was, I shall make my way there!"

"No, you idiot!" Spirit began galloping away, and Cobalt sprinted after her, unable to keep up with the pony. He used Agility, bounding forward to try and match Spirit's speed, waving at her to slow down. "You're just gonna get us even more lost!" He spat out some sand, growling in frustration.

Cobalt jumped onto Spirit's back, and the horse began bucking in an attempt to throw him off. "Begone, heathen! Let go of my mane!" Her flames suddenly began burning Cobalt, causing the Jackal to yelp.

"You psychopath, I'm trying to stop us from getting even more lost!"

A dark shape rose in the distance, and Spirit whinnied in triumph. "Did I not tell you? Do not doubt me again!" They reached the rock, only to realize it was completely different from the one that they had been using as a landmark, realizing this only as they got within a few feet of it due to the storm.

"Yeah? Great job, Spirit! I definitely won't ever doubt you again, oh great Spirit!"

"Silence!" Spirit spun to glare at him. "If you had simply sensed Sapphire's aura we would have made it back to them easily!"

"You're blaming me for this?!" They snarled at each other, before wincing as more sand pelted them. "Damnit, we'll do this later, come on, I'll make a hole for us." Making their way around the rock until they found a side that protected them from the storm, Cobalt began punching and carving his way through, until he'd formed a small opening for them.

"Ugh…"

"What, not acceptable, your highness?"

"It is cramped and small, nowhere near acceptable."

"Sarcasm. Learn it. I don't care if it's acceptable to you, I just care that I'm out of the sandstorm." Spirit huffed at his words and they sat as far from each other as they could while staying within the nook.

"Hmph."

They didn't say anything else for the next few hours, watching the sandstorm continue to rage outside. It continued into the night and they quickly fell asleep, pangs of hunger biting into them and a thirst rising in their throats. "I wish us Riolu could learn Water-Type moves…"

Spirit said nothing in return, and they fell asleep to the sound of sand battering the rock around them. It was restless for both of them, and by the time morning dawned and the sandstorm had died down both Pokémon were irritated, famished and parched. They exited their small alcove and looked around, seeing nothing but desert for miles. "Now, to find Sapphire."

"Yeah, uh, little pony? You don't notice anything wrong here?" He spread his arms and looked blandly around at the desert. "Where's Mount Lanakila? The edge of the desert? Where's anything? This desert is way too big for something in the center of the island."

"That does not matter, I will be returning to Sapphire. You can worry about the impossibility of this desert."

"Ugh…" They began walking away from the rock, choosing a random direction. Haina Desert wasn't exceptionally large, or rather it shouldn't have been, so they could most likely reach the edge of it within a day no matter where they were within the desert. However, within a few hours, nothing on the horizon changed besides a rock steadily growing larger, which they quickly realized upon reaching it that it was the same rock they had stayed under during the previous night.

"Preposterous! How can this be?"

"The hell? I know we didn't turn around at all, I made sure to keep my eye on the sun…"

"Explain this, jackal!"

"Excuse me? How should I know?"

"This makes no sense!"

Cobalt looked around at the endless desert and furrowed his brows. "I think… in the guidebook, it says that Tapu Bulu's ruins are somewhere in the desert."

Spirit pawed at the ground and huffed, "so you believe that this Tapu Bulu is doing something to the desert so that we cannot leave?"

"I think it's more like Tapu Bulu is making some kind of illusion or changing the desert to keep anyone from getting to his ruins, and we're simply caught up in it."

"Foolish! I'll teach this Tapu Bulu the error of their ways!"

"Uh, yeah, good luck with that, dumbass. If you want to fight a minor Legendary then that's on you, if you can even find them in the first place." Cobalt looked around and sighed at the vast desert around them. "Our first priority should be to find a way through the illusion and get out."

"No, I will find this Bulu and punish them thoroughly!" Both Pokémon glared at each other before their stomachs growling distracted them. "Or maybe we should find sustenance..."

"Whatever. The first priority is food and water. This rock will be our shelter." Cobalt attempted to sense any Aura nearby once more, but something seemingly blocked him, most likely the powerful illusion around the area.

"Hm. For now, I'll accept this plan."

"Just say you're fine with it, by the Creator…"


The next few hours were spent exploring the desert from their shelter rock in a spiral pattern, trying to find some oasis or food. Unfortunately, they found nothing during the journey, and by the time the sun started to go down and the nightly sandstorm began once more they had to return to their rock, even more fatigued.

"Damn, a whole day wasted…"

"I told you, jackal, we should have gone straight for this Tapu Bulu!"

"I'll go right along with that plan, great idea! …Just as soon as you can tell me how exactly to get to the guy." Spirit paused, before huffing. She leaned against the wall of the rock and Cobalt scoffed as he imitated her, leaning against the opposite wall. "Listen, I'm all for that plan, we can ask Bulu to let us out of this illusion, but if we can't find them, then it wouldn't matter if we fight or talk with him anyway."

"Hmph…"

"Let's just try and work together for now. If we keep fighting we won't get anywhere." Spirit didn't answer him, but she didn't huff a second time, so Cobalt just took it as an affirmative. "You know, you could try being more agreeable."

"Excuse me? I'm agreeing with your plan to not fight currently, Jackal."

"Stuff like that, I have a name, you know. And the looking down on people around you, you could quit it with that as well."

"Once you've proven that you're worthy of my respect, I shall show you said respect."

"Of course you will…" They watched the sun set behind the horizon, and the sandstorm rage all the harder. "…So, what was your life at the Ranch like?"

"Why do you wish to know?"

"If we want to get along better, and respect each other, we might as well get to know each other."

"Hmph. Well, I was the prized Ponyta of the Ranch. Every visitor wanted to see and pet me, and when the Pokémon all had battles I would end up as either the victor or close to the victor."

"Guess that's where you got that attitude from," Cobalt snarked.

"Silence, Jackal. Other than that, not many things occurred at the Ranch, which is partly the reason why I wanted to be captured by Sapphire. What of you? What was your home?"

"My home? It was a place in Sinnoh, a small village of Pokemon, mostly other Riolu and Lucario, but some others as well. No houses like human villages of course, that's just the best word for the place," Cobalt laughed. "It was fun there, most days I trained with other Pokémon for fun, while other days we just messed around…"

"And then Sapphire captured you? You are his Partner, correct?"

Cobalt's gaze became downcast, remembering. "… No. It was poachers, these people in black clothing, I can't really remember what exactly they looked like, but they had powerful Pokémon. I remember being captured and shoved inside a cage. We were flying to Kanto, and I heard them say something about how we were being sold to Team Rocket for funding."

Spirit looked towards him, and a guilty expression crossed her face, feeling sorry that she had brought up the memories. "I… see."

"Hey, I asked about your past first. Don't worry about me. The flight is something I don't remember well, the poachers yelled a lot at us to quiet down and stop trying to escape our cages… I remember one Pokémon being hit with a Flamethrower because he wouldn't stop trying to break out, but even then he kept trying… the exact opposite of me. I was so scared that I couldn't move, I just sat there in my cage, trying not to be a target."

"That's understandable, Jackal. In such a situation, anyone would be afraid." This time, when she called him Jackal, it didn't have any hostility.

"Not the Pokémon around me… and if Sapphire had been there, I'm willing to bet he'd be kicking and screaming to let him out." Cobalt sunk against the wall, sighing. "When we landed in Kanto, the Pokémon around me took the opportunity. They busted out, in the process smashing my cage, and fought against the Poachers and Team Rocket grunts that had come to pick us up.

"I was terrified, so instead of helping, I just… I just ran! I don't know for how long, I remember a stray attack hitting my leg as I escaped, but I didn't even stop for that, I just kept running and running… I collapsed after a while, and that's when I met Sapphire. He sensed me just as I sensed him, even though he shouldn't have had any aura abilities at the time. He coaxed me out and fed me, got me help…" Cobalt chuckled. "I really look up to him. He faces any trial head-on, never wavering. I wish that I could have his willpower, his hope, his determination…"

Spirit didn't respond, but Cobalt felt like they understood each other just a bit more. But, they were no closer to escaping this infinite desert. They fell asleep for a second time with the sound of sand scraping at their nook, with no idea of what to do.


When they next woke up it wasn't due to naturally waking after a night's rest, but due to something hard impacting with their shelter. Cobalt scrambled around, and Spirit accidentally let off a jet of flame in shock. The sandstorm was still raging due to it being late at night, and Cobalt winced as he stuck his head out of their hovel.

Something sped towards him at high speed and he barely ducked back in time as a small roundish blue streak shot past and dug into the wall. The object then shot back out and slammed into Cobalt's back, tossing him into the storm. He bounced along the ground and grunted, rolling to his feet and sliding to a stop with a grimace. The blue shape dove into the ground and began digging around, and Cobalt shifted his feet as he looked around.

"What troublemaker interrupts my sleep?!" Spirit galloped out into the sandstorm and began looking around in anger before the sand pelting her flaming hide caused her to hide back inside shelter. "Jackal, take care of the intruder!"

"What, can't handle some sand?!" He growled and looked around before he felt a rumble behind him. His eyes flared as he used Detect, dodging back as the blue object leaped from the sand and tried to bite down on him with rows of sharp teeth. It tried several more times to chomp down on his body until Cobalt kicked it out of the air, sending it back several feet.

As it stopped it gnashed its fangs and snarled at him, the sandstorm partially hiding its body. It was blue and slightly round as Cobalt had already noted, but it also had short stubby arms and legs, with a red underbelly and two horns that looked like engines next to a large shark-like fin. "Stay still, I haven't eaten in days!"

"Yeah, I haven't either, but you don't see me immediately attacking random Pokémon! Go find and eat a desert scorpion or something!"

"You think I haven't tried that?! This whole area is desolate!" The Pokémon snarled and shot forward, claws glowing with purple fire. Cobalt lifted his leg and lit it aflame with his own red and orange fire, kicking out. His foot and the Pokémon's claws clashed with an explosion of fire before they each began a flurry of blows. Cobalt, still using Detect, managed to dive in and land a kick on his opponent's face, using them as a springboard to launch into the air and fire several back-to-back Aura Spheres.

They exploded and sent sand flying into the whipping wind, before a jet of purple flame in the shape of a dragon flew from the sand cloud and slammed into him, throwing him back into their rocky home with a crack. He grimaced as pain shot through his back and the rock crumbled behind him before the shark-like Pokémon appeared from nowhere and tried to bite down on him.

He stopped the Pokémon by grabbing its horns, struggling to hold it back as it bit down on air, trying to get at him. "Get… off… of me!" He spat sand from his mouth as he twirled and tossed the shark into the sky, powering up a Mega Sphere and launching it. It cut through and left a visible path in the sandstorm, even if it was quickly filled, slamming into his opponent with a massive bang.

The explosion briefly cut through the wind around him, but it picked back up and whipped at his body, sand pelting his fur. He grimaced in both pain and annoyance, the sand wasn't enough to knock him out, even with how fatigued he was, but it was certainly an annoyance. Luckily he wasn't a Steel-Type Lucario yet…

His aura flared in warning before something impacted with his back, and he grunted as he flew off the rock and rolled through the sand, the shark landing on top of him and building up purple flames in its mouth. "I'll roast you alive!"

"Begone, you heathen! Unclaw my underling!" Spirit came in out of nowhere, wreathed in flames. She impacted with the shark hard, tossing him away as the sand that flew past her heated up and transformed into liquid glass. "Jackal, are you well?"

"Holy crap, is that concern I hear in your voice?"

"If I leave you to be eaten, I will have no backup against this Pokémon that likely has the Type-Advantage against me."

"Oh. Well, screw you too, flamebrain." He pushed himself up and leaped onto Spirit's back as she made sure her flames wouldn't burn made sure to watch her blindspot as she watched his, the both of them wincing as sand continued to scrape past them. The shark suddenly appeared from behind Spirit, trying to bite down on her back, but that was right where Cobalt was waiting.

The Fighting-Type waited for the attack to land as his body glowed red, and he grinned as pain coursed through his body. "Enduring Counter!" The attack's power was doubled and sent back into the shark, sending him soaring back. As they were still in the air, Spirit spun and unleashed a burst of fire, roasting the Pokémon midair. It dove and began digging under the ground again, causing them both to growl.

"A war of attrition will not go in our favor in the midst of this sandstorm."

"Yeah, no kidding. Seeker Spheres!" He smashed two Aura Spheres together to form the cloud of Seeker Spheres before they were all popped by the sandstorm. "Well, that didn't work… I guess they're too small to remain stable when pelted by attacks like the normal and mega-sized spheres are."

"What were you even trying to accomplish with them, jackal?"

"I was going to try and make a minefield out of them since Aura Spheres track targets."

"They wouldn't track me instead?"

"Aura is the soul, so Aura Spheres launched by me can be… I guess programmed?" As he spoke he made sure to watch the sandy ground, as did Spirit. "As long as I have some idea of what I want the spheres to do, follow a target, form a minefield, just launch in a straight line until they hit something, they'll do that."

The ground rumbled and Cobalt spun to attack the spot, only for it to turn out to be a feint as the shark leaped from the ground in front of Spirit, wreathed in sand. Spirit wasn't worried, and in fact smirked, building up fire inside of her. When she unleashed it, the flames torched the Pokémon and turned the sand coating its body into liquid glass, burning it. "That should teach you not-"

Spirit's gloating was cut off as the Pokémon ignored the pain and dug back underground, ignoring her. "Nicely done," Cobalt snorted.

"Silence!" They both watched for any signs of the next attack, but the wind whipping past annoyed Spirit enough to make her slowly retreat towards their shelter.

"Hey, don't go back in there, they could-" He was cut off as the shark proved his future words right, busting through the side of the rock with a roar as they bit down on Spirit's flank. Spirit cried out in surprise, and Cobalt jumped down to kick the Pokémon away. It slammed into the wall and snarled, surrounding itself in purple flames before rocketing towards Cobalt.

He grunted as he was tossed backward, snarling as he tried to hold back the Pokémon. Spirit whinnied in panic and tried to use Flame Charge, but tornadoes of sand exploded from the ground and grabbed her legs as the land shark used Sand Tomb, holding her in place. With her held off, the Pokémon turned its attention fully to Cobalt, unleashing a point-blank Dragon Rage.

Cobalt snarled and used Endure, wincing as the draconic fire burnt him. Endure kept him from going unconscious, but as he tried to reach up and throw the Pokémon from his body more Sand Tombs exploded up and grabbed him, keeping him from moving. "Damn it- let go of me!"

"Jackal!" Spirit tried to reach him, but the sand holding her down simply got heavier, with the sandstorm that was still raging not helping. "Unhoof me… you heathen!"

"Spirit, help!"

Spirit's eyes flashed, and fire coursed through her body, heating the sand until it was hot enough that any other Pokémon that wasn't a Fire-Type would be burnt, and it quickly transformed into yet more liquid glass, before her body began growing and glowing. The flames on her body grew in size and flickered in the wind, while her legs grew longer and her body larger, with a horn appearing on her forehead, like a unicorn's. When the transformation was complete her body was taller, about six to seven feet in height, and she tossed her head in pride.

She stomped on the ground, unleashing a tornado of flame that managed to completely ignore Cobalt but picked up the shark, tossing it into the air. Cobalt groaned as he lay on the ground, before shaking his head. He got to his feet and used High Jump Kick, knocking the Pokémon down towards Spirit, with a cry of "Hit it! Spirit, let's combo this guy!"

"Do not order me around!" Even saying that Spirit worked with him and galloped forward, her horn growing in size and gaining a green-orange glow as she used Megahorn, stabbing into the wild Pokémon. It let out a cry of pain before Spirit spun and slammed her back hooves into it, launching it away.

Cobalt fell from above, legs glowing with flames, kicking it back like a soccer ball. "Do not-"

She readied herself and used Flame Charge, returning the Pokémon to Cobalt. "Try and harm-"

Cobalt cupped his paws together and unleashed a veritable stream of Aura Spheres. "Or mess with-"

Spirit breathed in and let a Flamethrower wash over the land shark. "Team Solar-"

The Pokémon slid to a stop, and she built up as much fire as her body would allow while Cobalt powered up a Mega Sphere. "Or face our wrath! Burning Aura Ultima Comet!" They both unleashed their attacks as they shouted at once, and the sphere sucked in the flames, turning from the deep blue of Cobalt's aura to the light-blue of her flames, with a streak following it like a comet before it crashed into the Pokémon and exploded, knocking the Pokémon out cold.


Gible awoke and shook its head trying to get rid of his headache. He felt his stomach growl and winced, but as he tried to get up he tripped. He looked back and saw rock wrapped around his arms, trapping him.

"You dig through the ground by eating it, right? With how short your arms are and strong your jaws are, that's probably how. As long as your jaws can't reach those rocks, you can't get free."

"You're wrong about one thing, I can't eat what I dig through. I've been starving for days." He glared at the small blue Pokémon that was talking to him, and the larger flaming horse next to it.

"So have we, pal. How'd you get here? Far as we can tell, no other living things are trapped in this illusion with us."

"Like I said, I've been here for several days, trying to get out."

"Hm. I guess you were under the sand and saw us walking then. And you were planning on eating us?"

Gible blushed at the question. "Well… yes?"

"…Fair enough. I was probably going to try and eat flamebrain here soon."

"Excuse me?"

"Anyway… what are you doing here? It's obvious that other Pokémon besides Tapu Bulu live in this desert, but you'd think that the natural Pokémon here would… I don't know, have some sort of sense for where Bulu's domain is and stay away from it."

"Can you let me out of these confines?"

"I think not, considering you wished to consume us."

"Whatever. I was here 'cause my Trainer abandoned me. Didn't think I was tough enough for her team. And of course, I'm unlucky enough to get trapped here."

"I'd ask if this person was Crystal, but for one Crystal's a dude, and two, he trains Eeveelutions. Still, I guess we'll have to get out of here together and get to our Trainer. He can probably feed you before you go off to wherever. I'm Cobalt, by the way. The unicorn here is Spirit."

"How do you know your Trainer hasn't abandoned you?"

Cobalt and Spirit snorted. "Yeah, I doubt that'll happen. Anyway, if you've been here longer than us, do you have any idea on how to get out of here?"

"Nada. Only things I've seen in this whole place is this rock and the sun."

"Only the sun and this ro- oh boy." Cobalt looked underneath his feet and focused, feeling the same aura that he had thought was simply the illusion. But no. The aura was concentrated directly underneath the rock they had been using as shelter, and it was a powerful one.

Legendary-level power.

"Alright, I'm going to break those rock shackles, and you'll dig down."

"Why?"

"I think it's a way out of here. So, can you do that… sorry, what Pokémon are you? Do you have a nickname?"

"Gible. And my lovely Trainer never cared for nicknames."

"From now on your nickname is Jaws." Cobalt smashes the rocks around his stubby hands.

"How did you make those shackles by the way?"

"Don't worry about it."

He shrugged, before jumping into the air and angling himself down, chewing through the rock, and then sandstone beneath it. "How deep am I going?"

"Deep. When you were using Dig to attack us earlier you didn't go too deep, right? Well, go deeper than you were then."

"Thanks, real helpful."

"Don't get dirt on my fur."

"This is sand, flamebrain, you've been hit with it enough in the past few days. Get used to it."

Gible, because he was not going to be called Jaws, ignored their byplay and continued to Dig, going further and further down. Eventually, he bit through stone. And not naturally formed, either, but carved stone. The ground cracked, and they all yelped as they suddenly fell through. They crashed to the ground in the middle of the ruins, and Gible groaned as the full weight of a horse sat on his back.

"Ow."

"Where did you bring us, Jackal?" They were on some kind of wooden floor, with sand trickling down around them. The walls were stone, with several patterns on them, and towards one end was a doorway, while at the other was a throne-like area.

"The Ruins of Abundance." All three Pokémon froze up at the words and the aura of power they carried. They turned, and upon the throne-like area floated down a black and yellow Pokémon, with a wooden helm and calm eyes. "This place is hidden from all Pokémon… Most wild Pokémon know not to approach or be stuck in the illusion of endless scarcity. But you are not wild…"

"Uh, yeah…" Cobalt coughed into his paw as the Guardian circled them. "We were kind of caught up by accident… can you let us out?"

"Hm? Hm… very well." Tapu Bulu did… something, and Cobalt felt some kind of wave of power flow from the Legendary before it nodded. "You may leave now."

"That went better than expected," Gible muttered. As they turned to leave, the Tapu waved an arm calmly.

"You, Riolu."

"Cobalt."

"Yes, you. Stay for a moment." Cobalt looked at Spirit and Gible, and they just shrugged. He nodded, and they exited the room while he turned back to the Tapu. "I sense you are tired, so this will take but a moment. I sense the essence of the sun on you, the one I wished for the sandstorms to bring to me."

"Um… I'm not sure what that means? I was outside a few minutes ago… Wait, are you the reason that the sandstorms started early and separated us all?!"

Tapu Bulu completely ignored him. "Hm. Your Trainer, describe him."

"Sapphire? Uh, well he's loud, energetic, really confident… boisterous is the best description. And he never gives up when faced with an obstacle."

"Does he seem to have a radiance like the rising sun? And a companion who encompasses the void of the new moon and light of the full moon?"

"Uhh… yes? Maybe?"

"You do not know what I am speaking of… understandable. But your Trainer does seem to be the one myself and Tapu Koko awaits. When the Swallower of the Sunne and Moone appears, and the Beasts of Eternity attack, we shall assist and defend our islands. Once the crisis is over, have your Trainer visit Tapu Koko and myself. We wish to test the Guardian of the Sunne when the looming calamity no longer threatens us. Now, begone."

"Yeah, uh, Ima be real with you, chief, I've got no idea what anything you just said means."

"BEGONE!"

"You got it!" He turned and sped out of the room, quickly recognizing that he shouldn't risk being around the temperamental Legendary for any longer. Outside, Spirit and Gible awaited him.

"Jackal, what exactly was that about?"

"Don't look at me, I've got no clue."


Sapphire chugged a water bottle, looking out into the desert for any sign of his Pokémon. Next to him, Willow looked at him in concern. "Sapphire, perhaps you should get some shade…"

"If they don't see us, and we don't see them, they could pass us by." Sapphire smiled, even as it sent stabs of pain through his face. His entire body was one huge sunburn by this point, but he was going to be the first to see his Pokémon return. He would make sure of it.

"If you say so… We could have our Pokémon keep watch you know."

Sapphire didn't answer, and Willow just shook her head. While the boy had stayed in the desert and tried to explore to find his Pokémon each day that they had been gone with a Pokémon staying behind to keep watch, he always returned to their landmark near the end of the day to watch the dunes and only got up from his spot to hide away from the sandstorms, while she returned to Tapu Village to restock on food and water. She supposed that it was a testament to his willpower, but she worried about him. "Promise that if you start feeling faint you'll at least take a few minutes break?"

Once more he said nothing, but his eyes did turn to her. She took it as confirmation, even though she knew he wouldn't move. "You're sure that they'll get back?"

"I believe in them." That had been his only answer whenever she asked. She wished that she could have his confidence, but… "It's because they have faith in me."

"What?"

"They always trust me, my Pokémon that is, and especially Cobalt, believing that I can always come up with a way out of some situation, or some way to win a battle. I sometimes doubt if a plan will work, but they never do, always going through with it without question… If they have that much confidence in me, then how the hell can I not have confidence in them?"

She smiled after a moment of processing his explanation. She settled down next to him, stretching. "Then… I'll wait next to you."

"Yeah? I mean, you can probably make a tan work, but I think I rock it better." She giggled at his retort, and they both watched the sandy dunes. After a few hours, something blue crested the horizon, and galloping towards them was Spirit, now a Rapidash, with Cobalt on her back and a Gible sitting behind him. "See?" Sapphire wasn't cheering, or ecstatic, but simply happy, with a smirk crossing his face. After all, he knew they'd return. "Told you."

The Pokémon waved in the distance, and he raised his hand, giving them a two-fingered salute back as he shouted, "Welcome back, you guys!"


Chapter done. We'll learn more about what the 'Guardian of the Sunne' means and all that when we get to it, but with how I've been dropping hints since the beginning of the story with character personalities, backstories... and of course the biggest hints with their names, I'm sure it's pretty obvious.

A friend asked if I thought there were multiple of certain legendaries, and I kind of do, kind of don't. Certain legendaries like Arceus, the Creation Trio, Weather Trio, and Mewtwo would, of course, be the only ones of their kind, but lesser Legendaries like Victini, Heatran, Manaphy could have multiple. Some Pokedex entries and games even confirm this such as Latias' saying "They make a small herd of only several members." or how you can get the Regi Trio in Emerald, who at the same time are being used by Brandon. Just thought that was a fun thing to discuss, what do y'all think?

Omake Name: The Pickup King

Sapphire tries to teach Willow some pickup lines.


"So, we should work on your pickup lines."

Willow began coughing, putting down her cup. "I- What?"

"Pickup lines!" Sapphire crossed his arms and nodded. "If you're going to eventually date me, you've got to work on your pickup lines."

"Why...? Isn't it the guy's job to say the pickup lines?"

"I'm an advocate of true gender equality. I think both men and women should have th responsibility of going to the one they're interested in and tell them pickup lines."

"You just want to see me embarrassed."

"Exactly. Now start!"

Willow sighed and shook her head, thinking. "Uh... alright, how about... Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?"

"Willow, that's the most cliche one in existence!"

"Well it isn't like I had very long to prepare for this, you know. Just go along with it!"

"Ugh, fine."

"Ahem... Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?"

"No, but I scraped my knees when I crawled out of hell." Sapphire snorted at her exasperated expression, "Hey, sometimes the one you're trying to pick up won't go along with your pickup lines, you've got to be ready for anything."

"I thought I was just practicing to be able to use these on you?"

"And do you really think I'll accept such basic lines without trying to switch things up?"

Willow rolled her eyes. "Alright, so you scraped your knees climbing out of hell. I bet that's why you're so h-h-h-"

Sapphire began laughing as Willow tried to finish her sentence. "Alright, alright, stop, I know I'm hot, you don't have to finish that."

Willow huffed in frustration as a blush rose up her cheeks. "Okay then, romance guru, how about you try one?"

"Romance guru? How did you know my side job?"

"Stop stalling, or are you actually not that good with pickup lines?"

"A challenge eh? Alright then, let's do this." He leaned forward, cupping Willow's face. "Are you a transformer? Because if you were, you'd be Optimus Fine."

Willow's face was stoic for a few seconds before she snorted. "O-Oh my god, that sucked."

"Uh, no, it was amazing"

"No, it wasn't."

"Listen, comedy is essential when picking up chicks-"

"Oh, are you picking up women other than me?"

"Listen, I am extremely popular, I'll have you know. In any case, just as you get to a man through his stomach, you get to a woman through humor."

"Where are you learning these things?"

"Anthony, duh. How about this one: Are you a parking ticket? Because you've got fine written all over you!"

"Oh my god, these are all puns aren't they?"

"You're goddamn right they are. You try one."

"Okay. Let's see... Your eyes are bluer than the Atlantic ocean. And I-I don't mind being lost at sea."

"Ha, nice! Is there an airport nearby, or is that just my heart taking off?"

"Are you a bank loan? Because you've g-got my interest!"

"You must be a camera, because every time I look at you I smile!"

"Do you have a name? Or can I call you m-mine?"

"If you were a phaser on Star Trek, you'd be set to stun!"

As they continued to go back and forth with pickup lines, Cobalt and Cream looked at each other before gagging exaggeratedly.


Alrighty, leave a review on everything you liked in the chapter or just a 'nice.' Both are always great to read.

Sapphire:

-Riolu, Cobalt

-Torracat, Claws

-Midday_Lycanroc, Chrysant

-Vikavolt, Storm

-Gengar, Spooks

-Noibat, Blast

-Talonflame, Inferno

-Seadra, Wave

-Rotom, Volt

-Eevee, Puffball

-Rapidash, Spirit

-Ivysaur, Hemlock

-Chinchou

-Ditto, Mimic

-Bastiodon, Aegis

-Metang

Willow:

-Meowstic, Cream

-Dartrix

-Slowking

-Alolan_Muk, Abaddon

-Murkrow, Karasu

-Leafeon

-Midnight_Lycanroc

-? ? ?

See y'all next time.