Chapter 40:

Desert Dares

Location: Route 13

Route 13 wasn't so much a route but more like an oasis with some caravans around it. I say oasis because to the north was a desert, the Haina Desert. To the west, Tapu Village, the sight of my next Trial. I had the day to myself through, so I decided to visit the desert after some relaxing. I had let out all my Pokémon for some deserved R&R. Incineroar and Hariyama were flexing their muscles. Toucannon was flying around in the sky with Misdreavus. Snorlax was sleeping in the shade and Slowpoke had dipped its tail in the water.

"You guys deserve this," I said. "And then this afternoon, we'll visit the desert! I've heard that Tapu Bulu's ruins are located there!"

Everyone was a bit too occupied with relaxing to notice though. Particularly Snorlax; it was out like a Lampent. "I got everything. Roto." Rotom Dex assured me. "I can alwayzz recap."

Suddenly, Slowpoke shouted and shot a Psybeam from its eyes. "Wow Slowpoke! You learned Psybeam!"

"Great!" Rotom Dex said. "But it looks like it's in pain! Slowpoke, what's wrong?"

Slowpoke pulled up its tail to reveal a… hideous looking aquatic Pokémon of multiple colours. Its sharp teeth were clamped down on poor Slowpoke's tail.

"Urgh," I said. "What is that thing?"

Bruxish (ハギギシリ)

#320

Water/Psychic Type

Gnash Teeth Pokémon

2'11" (0.9 m)

41.9 lbs (19 kg)

When it unleashes its Psychic power from the protuberance on its head, the grating sound of grinding teeth echoes through the area.

Bruxish has no known evolutions (Good Arceus imagine if it evolved into something even more horrific).

"We'll get it off!" I said. "Just stay still…"

Suddenly, Snorlax came over and used Body Slam on Slowpoke. Taken by surprise, Bruxish let go and went back into the river. "Nice one! Roto!" Rotom Dex went over to Snorlax; it was sleeping. "Hey, how did it?"

"Sleep Talk." We saw a Hiker come over to us. "It's a move that randomly selects an attack whilst ze user is sleeping."

"Great job!" I told Snorlax (even if it was too deep in its slumber to hear). "But you kinda crushed Slowpoke in the process."

"Alola! Heinrich, a desert explorer. I've travelled all around the world seeking the many deserts and this time, my travels take me to the Alola region's Haina Desert. I really hope we get to find some wonderful treasure."

"Great timing!" I replied. "We were going to explore the desert today! If you don't mind, can we tag along?"

"If you don't mind a bit of sand in your shoes!" he replied. "I might need some assistance anyway. Tapu Bulu is usually quite lazy but when it gets around, oh boy."

"Then it's settled!" I said. "Heinrich, you be our desert guide!"

Location: Haina Desert

We walked into the desert. Multiple brown rocks were strewed about all over the place. However, the desert wasn't an open wasteland like it's presented in movies; it was more like a maze of rocks.

"Oh ho ho ho! I'm so excited!" Heinrich said.

"I'm a bit more concerned than excited," I replied. "We don't have a desert in Kanto, so I'm not as use to this as you." I got out a Pokéball. "Toucannon can find a way!"

"Pause!" Heinrich said. I stopped.

"Why?" I asked.

"Toucannon could be a valuable asset, but it would ruin ze fun of new of new discoveries! We can have an explore around first."

I put Toucannon's Pokéball away. "Why do I feel like this man will be the death of us?" I asked Rotom Dex. "Wait, do you have any Pokémon?"

"I do!" he replied. "Gehen, Sandile!" Out came a Pokémon that was like Krokorok, but much smaller.

Sandile (メグロコ)

#301

Ground/Dark Type

Desert Croc Pokémon

2'04" (0.7 m)

33.5 lbs (15.2 kg)

It conceals itself in the sand and chomps down on the legs of any prey that unwarily walk over it. Its favourite food is Trapinch.

"I got this little guy during an exploration at Unova's Desert Resort. It saved me from a bunch of Maractus and we've been buddies since!"

"Interesting," I replied. "Well, let's get a move on! Or we'll roast."

"Here!" Heinrich said. He went into his bag and threw me a bottle of water. It's important to stay hydrated in this heat. Take it from an expert!"

I opened the bottle of water and had a sip. "That's refreshing. Come on!"

We turned a corner and found two paths.

"So… which way?" I asked.

"Let's split up!" Heinrich announced.

"That izz the stupidezzt idea I've ever heard, Roto! And thizz izz a Rotom that wazzn't lizztened to when almozzt ambushed by a Wishiwashi! No! We stick together! Zzt zzt!"

"Sorry," I said. "I'm with Rotom on this one."

"My friend, this is an adventure! You have to take risks!"

I slapped my sweaty forehead and took another swig of water. "We. Are. In. A. DESERT!

Desert.

Desert." My voice echoed. "Look, I know you are used to doing these solo, and yes. I do travel alone sometimes."

"I'm right here, Roto."

"I mean humans," I replied. "Sorry. You need to stop thinking about all this thrill and start thinking about others. Yes, this is exciting. But it's also dangerous. Let's go together."

Heinrich sighed. "If you say so."

That way was a dead end, so we went the other way.

We slowly walked through the sandy labyrinth. I even found a Zygarde Cell! (I did say I would stop updating on those, but I found a lot since!).

"Hey," I asked. "Has your Sandile ever battled?"

"Battled?" Heinrich asked. "Not particularly unless you count those Maractus."

"Hard to believe," I said. "How could one small Ground Type take on a team of… what Type are they?"

"Dunno. Roto. These Maractus aren't found in Alola."

"No, I haven't," he said.

"Well give it a go!" I replied. "You want excitement? Find a wild Pokémon!"

"If you say so," he replied. A short distance away, we saw an orange Pokémon with a large mouth.

Trapinch (ナックラー)

#304

Ground Type

Ant Pit Pokémon

2'04" (0.7 m)

33.1 lbs (15 kg)

Its jaws are strong enough to crush rocks but so heavy that it can't get up if it flips over. Sandile seize those moments as their chance.

We saw Sandile licking its lips. "Maybe not that one," I said. "How about…" The other Pokémon we saw was round and blue with bulky arms. "Let's try that!"

Golett (ゴビシト)

#312

Ghost/Ground Type

Automaton Pokémon

3'03" (1 m)

92 kg (202.8 lbs)

Although ancient people apparently built it by working with clay, the source of its energy is unclear.

"It's a bit strong, isn't it?" he asked.

We compared levels. Sandile was Lv. 19 and Golett was Lv. 32. "Actually… yeah. Forget that, let's keep… let's keep…" Everything around me started going all spirally. "I need another bottle please."

"Of course." Heinrich went into his bag and gave me another bottle.

"Okay," I said. "Let's keep going."

We continued to make our way around the rocks. "We can't have far to go," I said.

As I tried to adjust my mind, I came across another Pokémon. It was cream coloured with red outlines. It was spinning in the air on its singular leg.

Baltoy (ヤジロン)

#310

Ground/Psychic Type

Clay Doll Pokémon

1'08" (0.5 m)

47.4 lbs (21.5 kg)

When they find others of their kind, they cry out loudly and gather together. Large numbers of them can be found in old graveyards.

"Misdreavus, go," I said. I threw the Pokéball a bit floppily and sent it out. "Use Hex." Misdreavus' eyes started glowing and it stared at Baltoy, doing lots of damage. Baltoy then sent out a blast of Psychic energy.

"It'zz Extrasensory! Roto!"

"Another Hex." Misdreavus stared at Baltoy once more, knocking it out.

"You have trained your Misdreavus very vell!" said Heinrich.

"I… guess I have…" I replied. "Come on… let's… conti… NO WAY!" In the distance, I saw something in the middle of the lake shimmering… water! "It's water! Come on!"

"I… don't see anything. Roto."

"It's a mirage," Heinrich said. "It's a refraction of light on heated air that can give the illusion of water."

"It'zz not real! Zzt zzt!"

I saw Heinrich and Rotom Dex chase after me.

"No!" I said. "Bottles won't cut it!"

But when I got to the place where I saw the water, nothing was there except for a pedestal. "Hold up! Roto!" Rotom Dex went in front of me. "Don't go running off like that! Zzt zzt!"

I looked at the pedestal. "Guys… this is a Z-Crystal holder!" I went round and found a pink one! "Yes! It's a Z-Crystal!"

Rotom Dex looked at the description. There was an engraving on the back of a position that included putting one's hands to his head, then putting one hand out. "Thizz muzzt be the pozze. Roto."

I pulled it out.

I got… A Z-CRYSTAL!

"I… did..." I fell forward. Heinrich and Rotom Dex looked around me concerned as I closed my eyes.

Location: Tapu Village Pokémon Center

I woke up on a sofa with cold air being blown over me. I looked to see the source: a Pokémon that looked like an ice cream was using Icy Wind.

Vanillite (バニプツチ)

#332

Ice Type

Fresh Snow Pokémon

1'04" (0.4 m)

12.6 lbs (5.7 kg)

It feels pleasantly cool when embraced. This Pokémon is treasured by households in warm regions.

"Oh good, you're awake," said Nurse Joy.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Heinrich told me all about it," said Professor Kukui. "You just got a bit of heat stroke. I can tell you've never been in a desert before." He felt my head. "You're still pretty warm. My advice; don't do anything wacky tomorrow. I know you want to take on the Trial, but Acerola isn't ready yet."

"Honestly," I said weakly. "I don't think I am." It was then I remembered. "Oh, I picked up a Z-Crystal!"

"This one?" Professor Kukui asked, holding out the one I found in the desert. "Heinrich gave it to me to give to you. It's the Psychinium Z which allows you to use Shattered Psyche."

"Great," I replied. "I saw the position in the desert, but could you show me please?"

Professor Kukui put both hands to his head. Then, he brought one out with his palm spread. "And that's how you do it!"

I smiled. "Thanks."

I decided to get some more sleep whilst I had the Icy Wind on me.

Rotom's Move Dex!

Elliott sure did take a beating by the sun today! Roto! In Haina Dezzert, we saw quite a few Ground Type Pokémon. Therefore, it'zz Ground Type time!

Rototiller!

Now herezz a move you've probably never heard of becauzze… it'zz admittedly situational. It raizzezz the Attack and Sp. Attack of all grounded Grazz Typezz in the area. Thizz… izz pretty rizzky but play your cardzz right and it can be really well done! Roto!

Pokémon that can learn Rototiller include both Dugtrio formzz, Mudsdale and Tapu Bulu.

I'll azzk again; will thizz help in a garden? Roto?