Lapis challenged the Lavaridge Town Gym for his fourth badge. The challenge went smoothly despite the sand teleportation tunnels. Even the beginning of the Gym battle against Flannery started easy, until Moonstone was knocked out by a powerful Overheat. The Nuzlocker fought through the Gym Leader's taunts and her strongest Pokémon, winning the match with Zuli's help. Though he accepted his prize, the victory was hollow due to Flannery's temporary ban and loss of one of his stronger Pokémon. After having a heart-to-heart conversation with the fallen Flying type, Lapis substituted her with Celestite, the Swablu. Running out of training spots before the next Gym, Lapis learns about the desert on Route 111 and sees a mysterious sight there. What is it and will he discover its secrets?

Lapis' Pokémon:

Zuli (Lvl. 31 Marshtomp, male; Item: Soft Sand): Impish Nature, Torrent Ability, moves: Tackle, Strength, Mud Shot, Water Gun

SmokyQuarz (Lvl. 28 Numel, male): Gentle Nature, Oblivious Ability, moves: Growl, Tackle, Ember, Magnitude

Onyx (Lvl. 30 Mightyena, female; Item: King's Rock): Mild Nature, Intimidate Ability, moves: Tackle, Rock Smash, Sand Attack, Bite

Pearl (Lvl. 25 Spoink, female): Lax Nature, Thick Fat Ability, moves: Psywave, Psybeam, Odor Sleuth, Confuse Ray

Celestite (Lvl. 16 Swablu, female; Item: Exp. Share): Gentle Nature, Natural Cure Ability, moves: Peck, Growl, Astonish, Sing

Amethyst (Lvl. 25 Gloom, female; Item: Miracle Seed): Quiet Nature, Chlorophyll Ability, moves: Absorb, Acid, Stun Spore, Sleep Powder

Pokémon sent to the PLA: Tiger Eyes (Linoone, male), Citrine (Makuhita, female), Kyanite (Electrike, female), Moonstone (Swellow, female)

Chapter 25: Sifting through the Mirage

Lapis left Lavaridge Town with a somewhat heavy heart. Amethyst followed closely, acknowledging his silence with her own.

Damn, now I have to focus on training three newbies to the team. At least Pearl and SmokyQuarz have some promise. But where should I go train? I've been everywhere around here.

He then noticed a familiar person standing at the Route 111 crossroads. But when he got closer, she became nervous.

"L-Lapis!"

"Jade? Why the hell're you here? I thought you'd be off frolickin' in a grass patch."

"Hey! I didn't want to be here. I-I'm just doing it for Uncle Birch, that's all."

He smirked. "Right…"

She shoved a box into his hands. It contained a pair of thick black goggles with green lenses.

"What're those?"

"Go-Goggles. They help you see through a sandstorm."

"Sandstorm? Where would a sandstorm even be in this region?"

She pointed to the nearby desert. "Duh, the only desert in Hoenn, that's where."

"Oh, yeah. I ignored it the last time I was here."

"Well, at least you didn't try to force your way through it. The storms there are really rough. I'm surprised some Trainers actually go there without the Go Goggles."

Trainers, eh? "Well then, gotta get goin'. Nuzlocke challenge and all, you know."

Jade tilted her head. "Since when did you want to end a conversation, Lapis?"

He paused. "Just now."

He was about to leave when Jade asked, "Lapis…is it because of what's happening during your challenge?"

"Jade… Just go."

"O-Oh… Okay… Well, good luck then."

As she got on her bike and pedaled back to Mauville City, he fell to his knees.

That was stupid of me. She was worried about me and I acted like a dick. He felt something soft yet solid brush gently against his arm. Amethyst.

He petted the Grass type. "Thanks, Amethyst."

He looked at the box and put on the Go Goggles. I better give the prof a call and…thank him and Jade for the gift.

A few hours later…

The teen sighed as his Pokémon battled not only the wild ones, but also the swirling sand. All this effort for a Trapinch, Rare Candy, Stardust, and a useless TM for Sandstorm. Isn't there anything else in this desert?

He yawned, but some sand flew into his mouth. Lapis spit it out and internally sighed. Then he felt the ground shake and something tall blocking the wind behind him. He turned around and saw a strange tower made of sandstone bricks.

What the hell? That wasn't there before.

SmokyQuarz waddled over. "Wow…so it's true."

"What's true, SmokyQuarz?"

"Growing up on Route 112, I heard rumors from the humans about a weird tall thing in the desert. They even called it a mi-ra-ge?"

Lapis crossed his arms. "A mirage, huh? Thought those were only in burnin' hot deserts. Oh well, maybe there's somethin' useful in there."

He returned everyone except for Amethyst, who shielded herself from the sandstorm, and headed inside. It was a welcome shelter from the howling winds outside, but it was eerily silent. A large column of rock in the center stabilized the structure, creating a path that circled around it.

After catching another Trapinch, the pair headed upstairs. But just when Lapis began to walk counterclockwise, the Gloom stopped him.

"What's up?"

She grabbed a rock with her arms and tossed it over the area he was able to step on. The floor immediately gave way and the rock fell down to the floor below.

"Oh, good eye, Amethyst."

After seeing her beam, Lapis took out his Mach Bike. "Guess this wild bike'll be good for somethin'."

He returned her and readied himself. Okay, if I go this way, then I should be able to cross and get further upstairs.

He sped forward but was unable to turn quickly enough. The cracked floor gave way, and he landed onto the first floor.

"Damn it," he muttered as he rubbed his back. "Why did the floor have to be that way?" He stood up and grabbed his bike. Let's try it again.

One hour later…

Zuli and SmokyQuarz dragged an injured Lapis towards the northern end of the desert.

"Damn those floors!" the Trainer roared. "That tower better be hidin' somethin' important or we wasted that time for nothin'!"

"I agree, Loud Lapis," the Marshtomp replied. "I'm getting tired of the rough shaking whenever you land on the floor below."

SmokyQuarz was confused. "But aren't you in the Poké Ball, Zuli? We're protected when we're in there."

"Yeah, but I still don't like the jolts. Makes the sensing from my fins go out of whack."

The three felt the air lighten and the sun warm their bodies.

"F-Finally," the Nuzlocker groaned. "But I can't get up…"

He heard two people approach.

A male pre-teen's voice said, "I don't know, Mr. Kaseki. Will it appear this time?"

A man with a greasy voice responded, "Of course it will, young Samir. I sense their presence…"

"Okay…well-" The younger person noticed Lapis and his Pokémon. "Excuse me, are you okay?"

He ran over, his light green shirt and brown knapsack fluttering past his matching khaki outdoor vest and pants.

"Just…peachy, nerd," Lapis muttered.

The pre-teen wasn't fazed, but intrigued. "Oh, you wouldn't happen to be Lapis Eurig, would you?"

"What's it to you?"

He adjusted his khaki hat. "Well, I've heard about you from Summer and Weldon."

Great…how many people do those two know in this region?!

The other man, a short and chubby person, caught up. He wore similar clothing to his companion, except for the khaki shirt. He adjusted his thick rimmed glasses. "What an interesting specimen. With the sand on your body and the Ground types next to you, you must have returned from the desert!"

"Nice observation, genius," the teen scowled.

The younger person retrieved some bottles of Fresh Water from his bag and handed them to the sand-battered group. "Drink this. You'll feel much better."

Lapis reluctantly drank but continued to as he felt the healing effects of the water. "Thanks, or whatever," he said after wiping his mouth. He then returned his Pokémon.

Beaming, the water giver replied, "Oh, I forgot to introduce ourselves. I'm Samir Patajhad, a junior researcher. And this is my colleague, Mr. Koji Kaseki. But he's more well known as the Fossil Maniac."

The Nuzlocker raised an eyebrow. "So he's into…fossils."

"It is more of a passion than an interest, plebeian! The texture, the composition, the history! That, in essence, is the fossil!"

"Right… So why're you guys here anyway?"

Samir answered, "Mr. Kaseki told me about a tower that appears in this desert that's supposed to have rare fossils at the top."

"Yes, the famed Mirage Tower! It blesses its presence to those who seek its treasures, most likely fossils, protected above. Though none have succeeded. The plebeians who have reported seeing it said it disappears when they approach it or when they take photographs of it."

Lapis was dumbfounded. "Seriously? I just saw that building. That's why I'm like this."

Samir and the Fossil Maniac gasped. The latter became excited.

"Then we must hurry before it disappears again!"

Lapis rubbed the back of his head. "Then how're you gonna get over those cracked floors?"

Samir smiled. "Oh, I have an idea. You can come if you want, Lapis."

"What 'bout the fossil weirdo?"

The Fossil Maniac scoffed. "How dare you?! I have important things to do as well."

"Like…?"

"Like seeing if there are really fossils in there!"

I can see why they call him a fossil maniac. "Okay, fine, whatever. Let's just go already."

The three humans put on their Go Goggles and ventured into the sandy terrain. Lapis guided them to where he saw the tower, which was still looming over the desert.

They entered the structure and headed to the second floor.

"Okay, genius," Lapis said sarcastically as he crossed his arms. "How do you propose to get across?"

"Simple." Samir let out an Espeon. "Akasha, can you carry us over to the stairs with your Psychic attack?"

"Of course, Samir."

Her eyes glowed magenta, and the same color energy surrounded them. But as she tried to carry them over the cracked floor, Lapis was stopped by an invisible barrier. No matter how hard she tried, Akasha couldn't move the Nuzlocker towards the stairs like the others.

"Damn this Nuzlocke challenge!" the teen yelled, pounding on the wall.

Once they landed safely by the stairs, Samir shouted, "Lapis, do you have a Mach Bike? I heard they can help you cross those kinds of floors."

"I already tried that and I kept crashin' into the walls and boulders!"

"Oh. I know! Akasha, use Psychic to guide Lapis' Mach Bike!"

She nodded and waited for the teen to take out his bike and get on. Then, she surrounded the vehicle and herself with the magenta energy and moved both of them around the room. All Lapis had to do was sit there.

"That's much better," the Nuzlocker complimented as they rejoined Samir and the Fossil Maniac.

The junior researcher petted his Espeon. "Thank you, Akasha. Are you able to keep going?"

"Yes, Samir."

"All right then. We have a few more floors to go."

The group continued their levitating ascent until they reached a rock platform with two large objects on it.

The Fossil Maniac gasped. "Oh my, a Claw Fossil and a Root Fossil. And in such pristine condition as well."

"So, now what?" Lapis asked with a shrug.

"We take them, of course!"

"For research purposes only, Mr. Kaseki!" Samir clarified. "I'm supposed to take both of them back to the Devon Corporation for further analysis."

"Why them?" the Nuzlocker inquired.

"They have the devices to not only study fossils, but also to revive them."

"Oh, sounds…pretty cool."

The junior researcher was surprised by the teen's fascination, but the Fossil Maniac was more interested in the task at hand.

He eyed the treasures carefully. "Now then, how to remove them…"

"Why'd ya say that?"

The Fossil Maniac sneered, "Well, as documented in Florida Fenn and the Temple of the Last Zoroark, you need something with the right weight to remove the fossils, just in case a booby trap goes off."

Samir sighed. "Mr. Kaseki, that's a fictional film."

"My point still stands, Samir!"

"I don't believe this…" Lapis rolled his eyes. "Look, if that was from a film, let's just take 'em both and get outta here."

Before they could stop him, the Nuzlocker swiped both fossils and placed them into his bag. The room shook and hordes of Baltoy fell from the cracking ceiling.

"I knew it! A booby trap!" the Fossil Maniac screeched. "They're gonna explode on us!"

"Then we better lessen the blow." Samir readied a Poké Ball. "Go, Banksia!"

A Meganium appeared, determined to protect her Trainer.

Lapis followed suit. "Go, Zuli!"

The Marshtomp braced himself as the Clay Doll Pokémon inched closer.

"Banksia, use Magical Leaf!"

"Zuli, use Water Gun!"

The super effective attacks were able to stop a few rows of Baltoy, but the remaining Ground types continued their spinning march.

"We can't keep it up, Lapis," Samir said as he returned Banksia. "We need to escape now!"

"But the EXP…"

"Your life is more important! Come on!"

The teen reluctantly returned his starter, and the three ran downstairs, only to find the floor full of large holes.

They heard the droning sound get closer.

Samir and the Fossil Maniac were able to jump over to a safe spot, but the floor eroded more before Lapis could do so.

He looked back and grimaced. "Looks like I ain't gotta choice. Go-"

SmokyQuarz emerged and stood in front of the stairs.

"Sm-SmokyQuarz, what the hell're you doin'?!"

He gave his Trainer a solemn look. "Go, Lapis. Before it's too late."

"Wh-What are you talkin' about?!"

"It…It's my fault. I was the one who told you about those rumors… If I hadn't, then…"

"It wouldn't have mattered, SmokyQuarz! I was the one who took 'em. And this all would've played out anyway since we ran into Patajhad and the fossil weirdo!"

The man shouted, "I heard that!"

"Not now, fossil weirdo!"

But the Numel didn't budge. "I want to help you, Lapis. No matter what happens."

"No!"

He ran towards his Fire type, but the Baltoy shook violently and glowed white. The force of the combined Self Destruct launched everyone out of the tower. After a few seconds, Lapis felt his body hit the scorching sand. He shielded his eyes and slowly opened them, only to find an unconscious SmokyQuarz.

Lapis put on his Go Goggles and cradled the Numel in his arms. He then approached Samir and the Fossil Maniac, who just got back on their feet.

"I-Is everyone okay?" the junior researcher asked.

The Fossil Maniac brushed the sand off his clothes. "Nothing more than a scratch."

Lapis gritted his teeth. "You're getting' on my nerves, fossil weirdo."

The man was about to correct the teen, but Samir stopped him. "Not now, Mr. Kaseki. What's more important is taking SmokyQuarz back to the Pokémon Center."

The Nuzlocker glanced away. "No use, Patajhad. He…fainted."

"Oh… W-We should still head to the Mauville City Pokémon Center anyway."

Seeing Samir meant well, the group headed south back to civilization. Once inside the cool Pokémon Center, Lapis scanned his PC for a suitable replacement.

Guess replacing a Numel with another one makes the most sense. Either Trapinch, Peridot or Emerald, would take a lot of time to train, and there would be a double typing if Celestite evolves into an Altaria.

He took out Bixbite's Poké Ball and went outside. He let everyone out, and the mood was quiet, just like SmokyQuarz's personality.

But the weakened Numel spoke first. "Sorry I can't go any further with all of you."

Onyx walked forward and nuzzled him. "You did your best, SmokyQuarz. It was great battling alongside you."

"Thanks, Onyx. I'm glad I met you first."

As everyone said their goodbyes and the two Numel shared information, Zuli was unusually silent.

Lapis walked over to his starter. "What's up with you, Zuli?"

He was surprised to hear the Marshtomp sniffle.

"I-It's nothing, Lapis."

The Nuzlocker knelt down. "You don't hafta hide it from me, Zuli."

"I-It's my fault SmokyQuarz fainted. If I was stronger, then those Baltoy wouldn't have…"

"Zuli?" Onyx walked over, her face full of concern.

The Water type refused to face her. "I-I'm fine, Onyx. Don't worry about me."

"O-Okay, I won't…"

Lapis hid a frown as he returned everyone. After he sent SmokyQuarz to the PLA, he saw Samir waiting for him.

"What happened to the fossil weirdo?"

The younger boy sighed. "He already left for Rustboro City so he can get a good hotel room."

"Then why're you still here?"

"To…apologize…"

"Oh…" Lapis took a deep breath. "Look, Patajhad, this ain't your fault."

"But we…no, I was the one who wanted you to join us to explore Mirage Tower."

"Sure…but I was the one who took the fossils without waitin' for you two to finish with the plan. Though it was a quicker way to get 'em."

Chuckling, Samir replied, "It was, and it was actually exciting too. Anyway, I should head over to Rustboro as well. Do you want to join me?"

"Nah, though the offer's nice. I gotta train some more."

"Well, I can hold onto the fossils for now and revive them when you're ready."

"Whatcha mean?"

"Since you were the one who got the fossils, you deserve to keep one of the revived Pokémon, Anorith or Lileep."

"Huh. Good to know. I'll let ya know when I meet up with you."

"Sounds good. Here's my Pokégear number. I'll see you soon."

Samir left the building while Lapis went back to the desert.

"Well, this is the only decent place now. Back to the sand battling shenanigans…"

Several more hours later of pelting sand, Sand Veil Sandshrew, and Sand Attack Trapinch, the team was getting stronger. Especially Zuli, who was training against Self Destructing Baltoy.

"Are you sure ya want to keep up with this, Zuli?" his Trainer asked. "Self Destruct could kill you."

"I-I don't care…" he muttered as he drank some Lemonade. "I have to get stronger…"

Onyx walked over. "Zuli, are you sure you're okay? You're not acting like yourself."

Unable to hold it in anymore, he replied as he cried, "Onyx… I failed SmokyQuarz. I'm supposed to be the Pokémon leader of the team, but all I do is cause everyone trouble."

She sat next to him and gave him a comforting nuzzle. "You're actually the opposite, Zuli. You may be a goofball, but you care about everyone and Lapis. You also work the hardest during our training sessions. I always admired that about you."

"Y-You do?"

"Of course! Look at where I am now, a fully evolved Mightyena and a reliable member. It's all because of you, Lapis, and everyone that I made the vow to get stronger so we can win this Nuzlocke challenge together."

The Marshtomp gave her a heartfelt hug. "Th-Thanks, Onyx. I…really needed to hear that."

The Water type started to glow, and he grew bigger. When the light faded, a Swampert appeared in the same place.

Lapis asked, "How do you feel, Zuli?"

He smiled as he gazed at his longer arms. Then he replied in a deeper voice, "Stronger, Lapis."

"Well, at least you're not adding "loud" to my name now."

"Oh, I will, but only when necessary."

"H-Hey!"

"Sorry, can't hear you, gotta keep training!"

Zuli ran back into the desert, with Lapis in tow, as Onyx giggled. It was nice to see her oldest friends have a moment of fun.

Questions for the Chapter:

What did you think of the desert and Mirage Tower?

What did you think of Samir and the Fossil Maniac?

What did you think of the shift, both in members and mentality, in Lapis' team?