"Feel that!" Robert held out his arms. "That's some good des-URK!" He began coughing violently on the sand being blown in the wind.

Alex snorted. "I miss the cold already."

"At least it has a road," Zeno said, sounding optimistic. "Does it connect all the way to Nimbasa?"

The three of them had just left Castelia City behind and entered the desert Route 4. A paved road stretched onwards, turning to the left so as to not run straight into what had once been a construction site. Now-

"That's weird," Robert choked out, coughing a couple more times. He peered ahead. "It looks like the construction sites have been taken down. But the fences are still there..." He began jogging down the road, Alex and Zeno following him. His eyes widened when he reached the bend in the road as he peered down into what could only be a giant excavation site.

"That's amazing!" Robert exclaimed as he surveyed the ancient buildings half buried in sand in the manmade valley. It was easily bigger than many small towns, with sandstone roads going this way and that. From up here Robert could see many archeologists digging and making their way through the ruins.

"I gotta get in on this," Robert took off down the road just as Alex and Zeno had caught up to him.

"Oh come on!" Alex yelled after him. "Wait up for us!"

Robert raised a thumbs-up, but kept going. He turned right and came to the end of the road. A staircase led down into the excavation site and onto a path that led to the other side with more stairs. But Robert had no intention of leaving the ruins once he got down there.

Practically flying down the steps, he landed on the sandy ground, blowing up a small cloud. A warning fence blocked the way into the ruins, which Robert frowned at.

"So that's it then," Alex mused as she and Zeno finally caught up. "Unless you're able to use your authority as the Professor's assistant?"

Robert shook his head. "It could, but that job title doesn't include archaeology in it." He groaned in defeat. "Looks like I'm out of lu-" His eyes widened and he straightened, peering at a man walking thirty feet beyond the fence, his faded blonde-gray hair glinting in the harsh sunlight. He seemed to be murmuring to himself as he examined a piece of something in his hand.

"Yellow striped shirt, check," Robert's surprised expression slowly morphed into a grin. "Brown pants, check. C'mon, at least change your outfit once in a while you old man."

"Wha-?" Zeno looked very confused.

"HEY!" Robert yelled, frantically waving both arms. "Professor Juniper! Over here!"

"Professor Juniper?" Alex gave Robert a concerned look. "When did you hit your head? I must've missed it."

"Could be all the times you've hit him," Zeno suggested.

Alex frowned. "Maybe I do hit him a bit much in the head."

While the two had that exchange, the man had taken notice of Robert's shouting and his dark, bushy eyebrows shot up. He grinned widely and jogged over. "Well if it isn't Robert! I wasn't told you were back in Unova." He wiggled his brows. "You come back to see the dig site?"

"Would have been a motivating factor for sure if I knew about it," Robert shot back with a grin. "But nah, I came back to get back to working with your daughter. I ain't gonna become a real professor if I don't do the work for it."

"Well no time like the present," the man picked up one of the gates and tossed it aside. "Come on in! Your friends can come too!"

"Thanks," Alex said. "By the way, by daughter, does that mean..."

"Why yes it does, young miss," the man grinned proudly. "I'm Professor Juniper. You've likely met my daughter in Nuvema Town already." He pointed his thumb at himself. "Just call me Cedric."

After introductions, Robert hurriedly ran amongst the buildings, creating footprints in the sand covering the sandstone street. "This is just amazing! Who knew there was a city this big under Route 4!"

"That's just the tip of the sandberg," Cedric said triumphantly as he led the trio down the ancient street. "We believe it has a connection to Relic Castle on Route 4. There have been a ton of artifacts we've found-AHA!" He stooped and picked up something half buried in sand. He produced a brush from his side and brushed off the sand. "Look at this." It looked like a thin stone shard of sorts, with faded red markings.

"Can I see?" Robert asked and Cedric handed it over. Robert ran his fingers along the edges and grooves. "Clay? Probably a piece of pottery."

"Exactly!" Cedric practically danced. "We're finding this kind of stuff all over the place. This place is a goldmine! No actual gold yet, but we did find a small cache of emeralds. Back to what I was saying a moment ago, we already found artifacts that we're sure have ties to artifacts found in Relic Castle."

Robert froze. "You're joking." Cedric shook his head and Robert whooped. "Oh man! Then this means this town could actually be the city, or a small part of a larger city connected to Relic Castle!"

"Probably not connected," Cedric corrected him. "Relic Castle is still pretty far off in the desert. We think this may have been a trading outpost with Relic Castle in view from a distance. But this begs the question," he wagged a finger. "What if there's a city lying beneath all that sand in the Desert Resort?"

"That-That would be the discovery of the century!" Robert proclaimed. He grinned at the Professor. "You mind if I take a look around this city?"

"And make your mark during this historic process?" Cedric raised an eyebrow before a grin arose. "Be my guest! I'm sure you might end up finding something even I missed!"

"Oh, what about my friends?" Robert asked, glancing back at Zeno and Alex.

"Finally remembered we exist did you?" Alex questioned.

Zeno elbowed her. "Would it be alright if we helped Robert?"

"I don't see why not," Cedric shrugged. "I find the way kids do things these days can prove to be more effective than what we adults can do sometimes. Just, uh, no Pokemon battles. So avoid catching any wild Pokemon, alright?"

"It won't be an issue, Professor Juniper, " Zeno confirmed.

"Cedric, please," the man insisted with a smile. Frowning, he added, "Actually, be on the lookout for anything unusual. We've been seeing our food supplies getting raided. Probably by the desert Pokemon, but we haven't caught any in the action."

"Sure thing," Robert saluted.

"Oh, take this," Cedric handed each of us a guest tag. "We had a tour group come by yesterday. Only in the parts we've already finished in of course, but I think you know what you're doing, Robert. You've got a right head on you."

Robert reddened and rubbed the back of his head. "Well, I..."

Alex shook her head and tugged on his ear. "What a time to be modest. C'mon, if we're gonna see some ancient ruins, I wanna see some ancient ruins."

"Alright alright," Robert freed his ear and waved goodbye to Cedric. "I promise not to break anything!"

"I'll hold you to that!" Cedric called back with a laugh.

"Hold up," Robert stopped his friends while he took off his pack and began digging through it. He produced his lab coat moments later. "Never leave home without it!"

"That's kinda sad, don't you think?" Zeno asked.

Robert raised a brow. "Coming from the guy who used to wear a trench like it was actually in style."

"Touché."

Walking down the street gave Robert a sense of what it must have been like to live here way back when it was a bustling city. He could already imagine the people in robes walking down the streets, children running around being nuisances, and clothes being hung out to dry outside the homes. He peeked into one, seeing a square room. Sand piles covered half the room, but the half that was easy to walk through wasn't bare. In fact, there looked to be a half buried frame for a bed and very raggedy sheets.

"There isn't much here," Alex noted as they left the house.

"The archaeologists must have already been through here," Robert said with a shrug. "What I wouldn't have given to been here when they found the place..." He trailed off, seeing what was up ahead. He broke into a trot, not stopping until he arrived in the ancient, circular plaza. It was quite a large place, most of it buried under sand, but Robert could see piles of old, broken wood and what looked like counters made of mud.

"This might have been where all the vendors were," Robert mused. "It would be an ideal place for trading and selling." He looked down at his feet and moved around, tracing the faded, multicolored patterns of sandstone. From dark brown to faded blue to even fader green, they all ran in looping circles, never touching.

"Gotta admit," Zeno said, looking around. "Not bad."

"Just imagine living way back then," Robert breathed, finally coming to a stop and letting himself have a moment for his head to stop spinning. "And seeing the sights, breathing in the smells of local delicacies, and experiencing their way of living. What I wouldn't give..."

"Oi, come on," Alex said, already heading out of the plaza for a street on the far side. "We might as well look for any artifacts or whatever. Maybe they'll give us money as a reward."

"The real reward will be giving it up for science!" Robert yelled after her as he and Zeno jogged to catch up.

Alex turned around, jogging backwards. "Yeah yeah, whatever. Keep talking all that the real treasure is the friends we made-!"

CRASH

Alex stumbled and fell backwards as Robert and Zeno came to a halt. Both looked to the source of the crash, a building to their side where a small sand cloud was rising into the air. A wave of hot hair blasted outwards, scattering the sand. What appeared was a round body with a face and burly arms with fists. Flames sprung like extended eyebrows as he roared, pounding his chest. Dancing at his side appeared to be a troop of his pre-evolutions.

"A Darmanitan!" Robert yelled in both shock and delight. "Usually only Darumaka are seen on this route!"

"Alright you big monkey!" Alex shouted as she stood, rubbing her backside as she glared angrily at the Fire type. She shook her fist. "What's the big idea!?"

Darmanitan actually looked confused at her yelling before his eyes narrowed. He pounded his chest and the Darumaka troop leaped off the building, surrounding the three friends in a wide circle.

"Six total, we can take them," Alex said, grabbing a pokeball.

"Hold it!" Robert grabbed her arm. "No battling! We can't risk the damage to the buildings!"

"Tell that to them," Alex pointed to the Darumakas, who were closing the circle slowly, watching for signs of aggressive movements.

"Robert, we're gonna have to fight," Zeno told his friend. "But," he held up a pokeball. "That doesn't mean we can't fight carefully."

"Minimize damage as much as possible," Robert said, giving in as he grabbed his own pokeball. "On the count of three-"

"Now!" Alex shouted, tossing her pokeball in front of her. Absol appeared, instantly going into a crouch upon seeing the ready to attack Darumaka.

Zeno launched his farther out while Robert released Krokorok. "Stone Edge around us!"

"Krok!" Krokorok yelled as he pounded the ground with his feet. A circle of stones erupted in a circle, pushing back the Fire types.

"Handle the pawns!" Alex said as the stones disappeared and she bolted past the Darumakas towards the Darmanitan on the building. "This one's mine!"

"Whatever floats your boat," Zeno said. "Greninja, Cut!"

Greninja appeared from the shadows of a building, flying past a Darumaka, slashing his blade along the Fire type's side. He then whipped around, flinging a Water Shuriken for good measure.

"Shadow Claw!" Robert yelled and Krokorok lunged forwards, slashing at a Darumaka's belly. The Zen Charm Pokemon retaliated by chomping down on Krokorok's hand with fiery fangs. Two more Darumakas on either side lowered their heads and charged, slamming into Krokorok's sides. He fell to one knee, shaking his head.

"Incoming!" Zeno yelled as Greninja launched one of the Fire types towards Krokorok.

"Slam 'em together!" Robert shouted and Krokorok swung the Darumaka still biting his hand into the one sent as a projectile. Both slammed into one another and the one biting fell off. "Now use Scorching Sands!"

Krokorok spun his tail around, whipping up sand into both Darumakas on either side, pushing them back. Greninja then quickly dispatched both with two shurikens.

"How's your girlfriend doing?" Robert wondered aloud to Zeno, looking for her.

"That all you got!?" Alex yelled as she leaped backwards as Darmanitan crashed into the street where she'd been. Absol leaped ahead of her, striking at the Fire type's head with dark winds. "Follow up with Snarl!"

Absol bared her fangs and snarled, a fierce sound that reverberated down both sides of the street. Darkness spread outwards with the snarl, slamming into Darmanitan and forcing him to stumble backwards. Then his fist came swinging up, trailing flames as he sent Absol straight up. He leaped from the ground, cracking the sandstone beneath him as he clasped both fists together. A harsh glow surrounded them as he slammed them into Absol and sent her crashing to the ground with extreme force.

"What's going on over here!?" A voice yelled from back down the street. Robert turned to see a group of archeologists led by Cedric running towards them. They stopped, eyes widening upon seeing the nearly 5 foot Darmanitan punch Absol down the street.

"Greninja!" Zeno shouted and Greninja leaped forwards, shooting several Water Shurikens into Darmanitan. The big Fire type backed up as Greninja landed next to Alex. Krokorok nearly stumbled as all the Darumakas fled past him towards Darmanitan. The Blazing Pokemon snorted at us and turned, leaping atop a building and lumbering away with his troop following close behind.

"Dang't," Alex growled, kneeling next to her Absol. "So much for giving that thing payback. Now I got more beef with it."

"I'm so sorry about what happened," Robert tried apologizing profusely to Cedric as he and his fellow team members came over.

"Nonsense," Cedric waved his hand. "You've nothing to apologize for. In fact, I should have warned you kids. We've been having trouble with those Fire types as of late. They've been getting into our food supplies and interrupting our dig sites."

"No kidding?" Alex asked as she and Zeno came over. "Why?"

Cedric frowned. "Robert, how familiar are you with Relic Castle?"

"Somewhat familiar," Robert answered. "I've read a couple books on it and I've been on tour with you once inside."

"What about the statues guarding one of the entrances?" Cedric pressed.

Robert rubbed his chin. "The Darmanitan ones, correct? Their Zen forms."

"Exactly," Cedric nodded. "Now, nothing is proven, but my hypothesis is that they remain in that state as guardians of what remains of Relic Castle. If that's the case, perhaps this Darmanitan had been in his Zen form until we began digging here."

"If that's the case then that would mean he's a guardian of this city," Robert said, piecing the information together. "And could explain why he's being so hostile."

"Or he's just a wild Pokemon trying to gain territory," Cedric said bluntly, causing everyone to groan. "Who knows. But I quite like my hypothesis better," he finished with a grin.

"Professor Juniper," one of the archeologists spoke up. "Perhaps we should make sure our food supplies are locked up tighter."

Cedric nodded. "We'll have to pause digging for the day then."

Robert stared down at his feet, tapping his foot unconsciously. "I... I may have an idea actually."


"You come up with the craziest strategies," Alex said, fitting the Safety Goggles over her eyes.

"Where'd you even get all these?" Zeno asked as he fit a pair over Greninja.

"Standard equipment when working in the desert," Cedric said. He glanced back towards Robert. "You ready?"

"Yep," Robert wiped his forehead and stepped back from his completed work, night upon them. He and Swampert had gathered half of the food supplies sealed in metal crates and had put them in a circle. It was meant to be bait, plain and simple. But there wouldn't be a hidden rope trap or anything of the sort. Instead it would all come down to trainers battling wild Pokemon.

They left the crates of food in a large sand pit with broken pieces of sandstone and other remnants of ancient buildings sticking up from the sand. It was one of the few dig sites the archeologists had finished their work in, so hopefully nothing of value would be destroyed here. This particular hole was located a fair bit of distance from the ruins of the city, so that shouldn't be an issue either.

"Now we wait," Robert said to everyone as he managed to scramble out of the pit with the help of Swampert. He returned her as they all went inside a nearby tent to wait. "If all goes according to plan, the Darmanitan and his lackeys will show up, go for the food, then we strike while we have the high ground. Do not, and I repeat, do not give up the high ground. It's almost like you're asking to get burned."

"Where's Krookodile?" Zeno asked.

Robert opened the flap of the tent and pointed to a spot near the edge of the pit. "Somewhere over there. Can't see well with no lights, but he's there below the sand, waiting."

"We'll take Darmanitan," Alex said, crouching next to Absol. "We have a score to settle." Absol growled in agreement, flexing her claws.

"Whatever floats your boat," Robert said cheerfully, then in an undertone to Zeno, "Are we sure she isn't a natural redhead? I know she dyed it red, but it finally feels like her hair and personality have finally matched perfectly. Let's just ignore the blonde highlights for now."

Zeno shrugged. "Speak louder, I don't think she heard you."

"What?" Alex asked from behind.

Robert froze, chuckling nervously. "Nothing, nothing, don't worry about it."

"Shh," Cedric said suddenly, peeking out of the flap. "I think they're here."

Everyone stilled. Robert strained his ears to try and hear anything besides the gentle night wind, but he couldn't hear a thing. He nearly did a double take when he looked around the tent. For a moment he couldn't see Zeno and Greninja's form beside him in the dark tent before he finally saw their outlines.

I guess blending in with darkness comes naturally to them, Robert thought, turning his attention back to the front of the tent. Daring, he crept forwards, inching open the flap. At first he couldn't make anything out in the darkness, but he could start to make out a lumbering shape.

Must be Darmanitan, Robert realized, looking around the ground where he could see where the Fire type was. Little shapes moved around his feet, so he assumed those were the Darumaka.

Robert felt a presence slide itself next to him. "There's more than just one Darmanitan," Zeno whispered.

"How can you tell?" Robert whispered back.

"Greninja can sense them," he answered.

A pause. "When did you go all Kage-Shinobi?"

Another pause. "We... didn't."

Is your bond that strong? Robert thought to himself, turning away. That you can sense one another's feelings and thoughts without transforming? He remembered a certain battle between champions back in Kalos. He, Zeno, and Alex had arrived in Shalour City to find Diantha and Leon having a match. What had astonished Robert more than the fighting itself and how strong they both were, it was how Diantha battled with her Gardevoir. More accurately, how Diantha gave her Gardevoir orders without speaking aloud. Their strength through their incredible bond spoke for itself.

Then there's N, Robert thought. The green haired guy could communicate with Pokemon, no matter what kind they were. What does it take? He wondered. To have a bond so close with Pokemon to understand even the most minuet detail?

"They've gone into the pit," Zeno said, body tensing next to Robert. "It's now or never."

Robert shook his head, clearing his thoughts from his pondering. "Cedric, hit the lights!"

With the push of a button, several large lights lit up, all projecting beams down into the pit. Robert rushed out of the tent first to see several Darmanitan and at least a dozen Darumaka crying out from the sudden light.

"Now Krookodile!" Robert shouted as his Pokemon burst from the sand. "Sandstorm!"

"Kroooook!" He roared and a sudden surge of sand blasted upwards, surrounding the pit and everything inside it. Without the goggles Robert and everyone else was currently wearing, they wouldn't have been able to see.

"Take out the Darumakas!" Zeno shouted. "Greninja, Water Shuriken!"

As the Water type began hurling shuriken after shuriken into the pit, the three Darmanitan leaped upwards, the biggest one landing first.

"Our turn," Alex said, producing a silver necklace from beneath her shirt. She grasped the hanging orb and light spiked from it. Strands connected her to Absol by her side, white, feathery wings sprouting from her neck fur. Absol cried out as she transformed into an angelic being. Alex took a single step forwards, grinning as she stared down the trio of Darmanitan. "You mess with us and we'll make sure to knock you down a peg! Absol, charge up a Razor Wind!"

Absol went to stand in front of Alex, her wings beating up a fierce wind, kicking up more sand in the air to add to the sandstorm. The Darmanitans charged as one, bodies glowing orange.

"Back!" Alex commanded as she ran to the side, giving Absol room to leap backwards. The wind reached its swirling peak and was unleashed outwards. Directed at the charging Fire types, it blasted them off their feet and onto their backs.

"Night Slash!" Alex roared and dark winds swirled around Absol's single horn. She lunged forwards, swinging her head, slashing the wind across the sand and into the Darmanitans. However, one of them, the biggest one, leapt upwards, avoiding the attack. Fire blasted around him as he shot towards Absol. The Dark type had just enough time to widen her eyes before he crashed into her with a fiery explosion that parted the sandstorm for a moment.

"C'mon!" Alex shouted as Absol forced herself to her feet. The other Darmanitans pounded their chests, an orange glow surrounding their bodies. Alex grimaced. "Crap. Belly Drum. Absol, Future Sight then use Psycho Cut!"

Absol's eyes glowed a harsh pink as the lead Darmanitan charged her, the other two close behind. She then leaped backwards, swinging her head. Several psychic blades shot from her horn, crashing into each Fire type. It didn't do much to slow them down, however, as they all began to glow orange.

"Get ready!" Alex shouted to Absol and the Dark type nodded, crouching.

As the Darmanitans tried launching themselves at Absol, Alex yelled, "Baton Pass!"

Absol disappeared, a red light being sucked back into her pokeball.

"And Pokemon number two is-!" Alex hurled the ball out. "Ninetales!"

Ninetales landed in the sand, her nine tales flicking as she turned to face the Darmanitans.

"Play with fire and we'll burn you," Alex said with a wide grin, slamming a foot forwards in the sand. "Fire Spin!" Flames sprung to life at each tip of Ninetales' tails as they shot straight up. The flaming orbs shot towards the group of Fire types, spinning around them and creating a circle of flames that tightened around them as it scorched their fur. The air above them suddenly ripped open as psychic energy assaulted them, making them cry out in pain. The lead Darmanitan began glowing, shrinking into what looked like a statue.

"Let's finish this!" Alex roared, shooting out an outstretched hand. "Fire Blast!"

The resulting explosion lit up the night, scattering what little remained of the dwindling sandstorm. When all had settled, the Darmanitans and the Darumakas had been defeated.

"Phew," Robert wiped his forehead. "That was fun, I guess. Now we heal them."

He went around, and with help from Zeno, Alex, and Cedric, they healed up all the Fire types with revives and potions.

"There goes most of our stock," Zeno said, shifting through his pack. "We'll need to buy more."

Robert knelt down in front of the now awake Fire types. They stared at Robert as if confused why he would heal them after fainting them.

"Look," Robert began. "We know your some sort of protectors of this ruined city. It might be good for you to know that no one here is going to destroy the place. In fact, the goal is to preserve this city and make sure that once the story of this place is discovered, that it may never be lost."

"Exactly," Cedric came over. He grinned. "An archeologist would never destroy something so precious as an ancient city. But, uh," he chuckled. "Could you please not steal our food anymore? We would still be happy to share mind you provided you let us stay here without causing us trouble."

The head Darmanitan rose to his feet and knuckles, regarding both of them before turning his head back to his troop. He seemed to bark an order and they all scattered into the desert night. Then the big Fire type lumbered over to Alex, who took a wary step back. Ninetales hurried to place herself between the wild Pokemon and her trainer, growling. Darmanitan paid no need to the warning and stopped just before trainer and Pokemon. He snorted and lowered himself.

Alex's eyes widened. "You're-!?"

Robert smirked. "Looks like he took a liking to you."

"You already have a lot of Fire types," Zeno pointed out.

"What's one more," Alex shrugged with a laugh before she grew serious. "Darmanitan, are you sure you want to come with me."

A low rumble of agreement.

"Well then," Alex held out a pokeball, clicking it on his head. "Let's see what kind of firepower you'll add to the team. Welcome aboard, Darmanitan."


The following morning, and after bidding farewell to Cedric, the three of them found themselves back on the road to Nimbasa City.

Robert glanced at Alex, who was rolling Darmanitan's pokeball in her hand. "You do realize why he chose to go with you, right?"

"I think so," Alex tucked it away. "But enlighten me."

"Your nature," Robert said, shying away as she gave him the stink-eye. "Now now, calm down. But that kind of fiery attitude of yours seems to be reflected in most of your Pokemon, especially your Fire types. Heck, even Absol has been affected. Did you know that most Absol tend to want to avoid battles like that?"

"Really?" Alex blinked. "That's surprising. Absol has always been willing to fight."

"When she used to be under Kamake's care, I think she only fought because she was ordered to," Robert said. "But under your care, she opened up to you and allowed you to influence her. I think that same firecracker-like attitude is what made Darmanitan so impressed. That guy, if he really was an ancient guardian of that city, must have seen something he liked in you as a trainer if we was willing to submit."

Alex was quiet for a couple of seconds. "What about you?"

"Me?"

"Yeah," Alex shoved her hands in her pockets. "Pokemon tend to be drawn towards my firecrackerness or whatever, and Zeno's Pokemon seem to connect to him on a personal level. So what about you? What kind of bond do you and your Pokemon have together?"

Robert fell silent. "I guess..." He thought about his Pokemon. Most of them he caught during a period where he was hellbent on battling and becoming stronger. But now that he found himself standing at a crossroad of which path to follow, he had no idea what kind of bond truly connected him to his Pokemon.

Battling, he thought. Pokemon Professor. Scientist. He stared down at the sand as he walked, imagining an ancient city lying beneath it. Archeologist. I don't know what I truly want to do. So then what connect me to my Pokemon?

"Hey, Zeno?"

Robert brought himself out of this thoughts as he heard Alex's questioning voice. He followed her gaze to where Zeno was standing still a ways behind them, staring down at his Xtransceiver.

"Zeno?" Alex started walking towards him, Robert following close behind. "What are you doing?"

As they drew closer, Robert was just able to make out Zeno glaring down at the screen before he became solemn-faced and turned the device off.

"What was it?" Alex asked.

"Nothing," Zeno said stiffly and hurried past. "C'mon, we need to get to Nimbasa."

Robert glanced at Alex, who looked just as confused as he felt. Worried, he hurried after his friend.