That's when Riley remembered his Max Revive! He took it out of his organized bag and fed it to Flaradillo. Flaradillo jumped up, pumped and ready to do battle! It took Corvekt's place. Pikachu used Iron Tail, but Flaradillo dodged! Flaradillo used Flame Wheel and landed a critical hit on Pikachu, reducing it to half of its health.
Pikachu used Thunder, creating a giant storm that nearly knocked out Flaradillo! If not for its great desire to protect and serve its Trainer, it would have fainted! But it held on! It used Fire Fang, and Pikachu was reduced to a quarter of its health thanks to a critical hit!
Corvekt took Flaradillo's spot, nodding its head in honour at the Pokemon. It slashed its wooden broadsword across Pikachu's stomach, and Pikachu took so much damage that it fainted! Team Delta's Leader had been defeated!
"You may have beaten me in a Pokemon battle, but that doesn't mean I'm giving up!" Team Delta's Leader growled. "My efforts to preserve this world for Pokemon and people to continue living will not be ended. The alternative is too dire." He let out a sigh. "We will prevail, and don't you even question it."
With that, Team Delta peacefully left the occupied area, though the chaotic mess they'd made still remained. It would take months to fix all this. Lilly came running up the stairs, meeting Riley and Night Shadow on the widest balcony, the one right outside the stairwell.
"Riley," she panted. "I was exploring the desert when I'd gotten news of this event with Team Delta! I came running to help, but the desert is so big I couldn't get here in time, apparently."
"No worries," began Night Shadow. "You made the effort, and that's what really counts. If you'll both excuse me, I have other things to attend to."
Night Shadow jumped off the balcony, hitting the rocky ground below without as much as even flinching. He continued making huge jumps, his Racrook following just a second behind him.
Lilly turned to Riley, then started, "I'll be in the Contest Palace. I feel like doing more Pokemon Contests! I'll see you later, then, Riley! Best of luck getting to wherever it is you want to go for your next Gym Battle."
Riley smiled and waved her off. Just as she was out of sight, Riley got a call on his PokeVice. He answered it. Professor Maple's face appeared as a holographic projection. She was smiling, "Hey Riley, Lilly. I want you to meet me in Tempura Forest for a bit of a mission in helping Pokemon. I'll explain more when you're here! See you soon! That's all, thanks! Bye-bye!"
Riley headed back onto the subway train. He boarded the train back to Eclisse City, and once he was there he went immediately to the tram station. He ordered himself a tram ticket, took the tram down, observed the stunning view of the canyon, and got off at the lower station in Dinohlr Town.
He stopped at the Pokemon Centre, where he not only healed his Pokemon but also retrieved Darwing. Going into the desert, since Lilly had confirmed the sandstorm had lifted, it would be good to take a Water-type with him. He smiled at Nurse Joy and retrieved his five Pokemon.
Now that the sandstorm was gone, Riley could see so much farther. From Sherrow City, it wasn't as easy to spot since there was a long road between it and the desert. But from Dinohlr Town, it was visible from the border of town. Riley sighed and straightened his posture. Darwing perched itself on his shoulder and dug its feet into the sash of his bag, uncomfortable having its feet exposed.
Right at the entrance of the desert, Riley saw a Pokemon! It was a big, yellow cat with black metal over its ears and on the tip of its tail, like a caracal. "Lynk!" it meowed, spotting Riley and lowering its torso in preparation for battle.
"Number 22, Lynk. Electric-type. The Lynx Pokèmon. The metallic surfaces on their ears, back, and tail, each generate electricity. That electricity can then be stored, or released, however, it can only be stored so much before it begins to hurt the Lynk. They're fantastic at jumping and running, and are the top predators in many of their habitats. Their claws can use the electricity they generate to easily fry their prey's flesh before they even eat it."
An Electric-type!? In the desert!? Riley didn't know what to do! Darwing would be weak. So would Corvekt. None of his Pokemon knew Ground-type moves! Riley really wished he had a Stoath that could use Dig.
He tried avoiding the Lynk, but it was hot on his trail. He simply wasn't fit to fight it... There! Near a cactus! Another form of Darwing! It Subterrain Form! A Ground-type Pokemon!
If he could catch that Pokemon before Lynk engaged him in a battle...!
No! The Lynk pounced! Riley sent out Barksky, not knowing who else to use against it! Barksky used Brick Break, but it did little damage to Lynk. Lynk used Discharge! It discharged a field of electricity around its body that damaged Barksky, and nearly got Riley himself!
The Darwing's attention was caught! It dragged its heavy claw-bearing wings alongside it as they dragged like long sleeves of a robe. This form of Darwing had a regal nature to it. It stood next to Lynk, joining the battle! It used Dig! The grounded bird used its wings to shovel out a tunnel underneath the sand, and popped out right underneath Barksky, scratching it with its claws!
Riley ordered Barksky to use Brick Break again, this time on Darwing! It wound up its hind legs and kicked off into a backflip, smashing into Darwing's head with its powerful kick. Wow, that was a new way of using Brick Break! Darwing, being part Rock-type, nearly fainted. Riley used this opportunity to throw a Great Ball!
1 shake... 2 shakes... 3 shakes...! Riley had miraculously been able to capture Subterrain Darwing!
Right in the nick of time, too! Lynk used Discharge again, and it hit Barksky, bringing it into critical condition! Riley switched him out the second he saw his beloved Pokemon's body seize up in electric shock-induced paralysis!
He sent out Subterrain Darwing, who he'd miraculously just caught! He had it use Dig! It dug under the ground with its strong claw-studded wings. It dodged Lynk, who tried to use Scratch on the lump in the sand that Darwing ad created, then struck! It was super effective! Lynk fainted!
Riley wiped his forehead. It was sweating from both the heat of the desert sun and the stress of his encounter with Lynk. He took off his hat and stuffed it with the utmost respect and care into his waist-level bag. He proceeded on, exploring the sandy dunes and rocky rises of Osuyasa Desert with care not to hurt himself or any of the Pokemon that were residing here.
A girl with short, messy-cut black hair sat on the edge of a rocky cliff. Riley noticed her, but he thought he could walk underneath the cliff and avoid her field of view. He was wrong. "Hey!" she shouted. "Don't be a lame-o and battle me! I'm practically dying in the heat up here!"
Riley sighed, his entire body slouching as he did not want to battle. But it was the rules that he had to battle now that he'd been spotted. The girl had dark eyes and pale skin. Her outfit was a studded jacket- also black- and ripped jean shorts that were way too revealing to be considered "shorts."
"Maskalmon! You're out!" she shouted.
Maskalmon!? Riley didn't expect to see one of them in the desert! He sent out Corvekt, who he would have use Leaf Blade.
Maskalmon used Surf, whipping up a wave that rammed into Corvekt. When the bird got back up from its fall, it made its blade bloom with greenery, before swinging it at the Maskalmon and doing enough damage to take it down in one it!
The Punk Girl next sent out Lumbeaver, a Pokemon Riley had seen before but never battled against. They were common in moist forests like Tempura Forest and Route 2, and also Route 1. He pointed his PokeDex at it to find out what it had to say about this common Pokemon.
"Number 2, Lumbeaver. Water- and Grass-type. The Beaver Pokèmon. Lumbeaver are especially good at cutting things. Their large tails allow them to pat mud into place, which allows them to build structures from tree branches and mud. Many of the bridges on Route 2, and the dams at the base of Charm Mountain are actually the work of Lumbeaver. They spend their lives creating wooden armour that they use when they evolve."
Riley did't know what to use here. What was Water weak to that Grass was also weak to? Water was weak to Electric-type, but Grass resisted it. Grass was weak to Fire, but Water wasn't.
He'd use Corvekt's Fly, a move that would be super effective on Lumbeaver's Grass typing! And it did, managing to sneak in the first move! It flew up way too high for Lumbeaver to attack. The mammal Pokemon used Cut, but its attack missed Corvekt, who was high in the dusty sky!
Corvekt nosedived, drilling its beak into Lumbeaver, causing it to faint!
"Gah! Last Pokemon, time to go for broke!" the Punk Girl, who hadn't said her name, yelped, clearly desperate.
She sent out Worrum, the worm-like Pokemon that was extremely common all around the world. It screeched, opening its mouth and revealing its hidden eye as the oddly calm sound bellowed out. "Use Iron Tail!"
Worrum was about 90% tail, so it hardened its body and slammed itself against Corvekt's head. Hitting it right on the temple, it landed a critical hit! Riley had to switch out Corvekt to avoid it falling into risky territory!
He sent out Flaradillo, who he ordered to use Flame Wheel! It was super effective on Worrum's Bug typing, and the Pokemon fainted. The girl sitting on the cliff edge looked devastated to have lost.
She inched herself closer to the edge, whimpering. Soon, she would fall! Then she slipped and fell straight down!