Lucas looked helplessly at Raifort—dressed most impractically for the Asado Desert—and the gray fox at her side.
Zoroark…
Not a legendary, yet with its own feature film—peak clout for a rare Pokémon.
Zoroark is cool, but if Lucas had to pick, he'd go for the smaller Zorua, or the Hisuian shiny Zorua.
Two balls of fluff—hugging them would be therapy.
"Miss Raifort, what brings you here?"
As he asked, he searched his memory.
He recalled Raifort being one of the new hires the Academy brought on after the clean-up operation, a history instructor versed in ancient scripts, deeply curious about old legends.
He'd crossed paths with her a few times, mostly with her seeking him out.
She wanted to learn about the legend of Shamouti Island from Lucas. As someone who had confronted the Fire, Thunder, and Ice Gods and fought alongside the Sea Guardian, he must know details the TV never aired.
Unfortunately, he hadn't followed the "normal" route; delivery runs were handled by Ash, Professor Oak, and Lugia. Lucas just fought and had fun.
And his memory of the movie's Shamouti legend had faded—he only remembered the three birds and Lugia being tied to global climate.
Ask Ash and he might know more than Lucas.
After a few tries, Raifort realized she wouldn't pry any exclusives from him and stopped pressing.
Apparently remembering their prior talks, Raifort showed no embarrassment. She shrugged, even a little aggrieved: "I helped chase off that pack of Cacturne tailing you and came excited for praise, and you greet me so coldly—how heartbreaking~"
"…So that was you," Lucas sighed, glancing at her Zoroark. Likely this Zoroark, with Dark resisting Dark, scattered the Cacturne—impressive strength. "You know they weren't a threat to me."
"I appreciate the thought."
"So, what's the real aim behind buttering me up? You only realized who I was when you stepped out of the truck, right?"
"So sharp—working with smart people is a joy." Surprise flickered across her face, quickly replaced with a smile. "Yes, I had my eye on 'your' strength and didn't expect to hit the jackpot."
Being colleagues, she didn't bother to hide it.
She briefly explained how she'd seen someone use a Fire-type move to cow the rampaging Tauros, judged the trainer strong, then tracked him by Mudsdale's prints to observe, finally choosing to use the Cacturne to make contact.
She hadn't expected that trainer to be an acquaintance.
"…You shadowed me all day without even knowing who I was? Where's your monocular?"
Lucas was speechless for a beat. Wasn't she supposed to be meticulous, given her… former line of work?
"I lost it. It's not easy to find a strong hand out here. To be honest, I've been wandering the Asado Desert for days."
She looked past Lucas to Mudsdale resting by the fire and to Dragonite.
So that Fire-type move was likely Dragonite's—reasonable for the dragon that beat the Fire God.
"Sit by the fire. We can talk."
As colleagues, Lucas invited her to warm up—she'd likely been driving for over a dozen hours.
Indeed, her eyes stung with fatigue, and her body cried out for rest.
"Thanks."
With Zoroark's support, Raifort sat by the fire, leaning against the dependable gray fox.
She didn't forget her goal, forcing herself to speak—only to be "silenced" by a warm sandwich from Lucas.
"Eat. I'm tired too, so no cooking tonight."
"…Thank you."
She split it in half for Zoroark and nibbled.
The fillings were generous, the bread still soft—delicious, and a luxury in this desert.
Not everyone can afford space gear, let alone carry a full cooking set like Lucas, even if he skipped it today out of fatigue.
One might think they were picnicking, not exploring.
When they'd about finished, Lucas handed them an unopened bottle of water.
Raifort took it, let the recently-battled Zoroark drink first, then finished the rest herself.
Her throat soothed, she smiled. "You didn't have to. I've got water and rations in the trunk."
"Consider it thanks for 'helping' with the Cacturne?"
He leaned on the word helping.
Raifort covered her mouth, helpless. "Can't do that. It would ruin my plan—how else could I invite you to help me?"
After her words, silence hung in the air. After a while, Lucas spoke.
"What do you need a powerful trainer for?"
"Your Zoroark beat a big pack of Cacturne even with poor offensive typing—that's not weak."
Zoroark's ears twitched at the praise, and it sat up straighter.
"Not enough for those foes," Raifort shook her head, meeting his eyes. "I want your help investigating a ruin buried under this desert—guarded by powerful Pokémon. Zoroark and I can't break through."
Lucas frowned slightly. "A ruin… what ruin?"
He thought of the treasure rumor that had fueled the Asado Desert's gold rush—the last Paldean emperor's hoard.
Did Raifort buy into that and come treasure-hunting?
"Uh… do I have to say?"
She looked awkward—she didn't want to reveal her previous activities.
But Lucas's firm stance told her that saying nothing meant no help. She sighed, put her palms together. "Please don't tell the other staff."
"I'm investigating a Paldean Imperial legend: a merchant selling four treasures to the king."
"I can't confirm it yet. But under this desert lies the tomb of an official who witnessed the transaction. His journal might hold clues to test my hypothesis."
"But he held high office, and ancient tombs typically used Golurk as guardians. Based on my experience, that tomb's Golurk will be exceptionally strong."
"That's strength I can't match as a half-desk scholar. So I came to you."
Lucas: "…You're awfully familiar with the process. Were you a tomb raider?"
Raifort grinned. "Don't say that. It's not 'raiding,' it's contributing to archaeology—entering ancient ruins and tombs when necessary for research."
"You know, I've gone straight now. No more of that."
"Besides, I have a Paldea League archaeology license. I'm a bona fide archaeologist."
Seeing his reluctance at "tomb raiding," she pressed on: "All I need is for you to suppress the Golurk. I'll handle the traps. Aside from journals for historical study, I won't take any valuables."
"And I'll pay you. How about it?"
He knew she was investigating the Four Treasures of Ruin—a key side quest in the games.
It was a sincere offer, but…
"I have my own matters to attend to. I'm afraid I can't accept."
Before she could fully look disappointed, he added, "However, if you can wait one day, I can come take a look. Honestly, I'm interested in ancient history too."
"As for payment—forget it. Best not to tie this to money."
"So, specifically, where is your target?"
The whiplash made Raifort's heart nearly leap out of her chest.
Luckily, he agreed—just needed a day. There was still time before summer ended. She could wait.
She nodded, stopped petting Zoroark, picked up a twig, and sketched in the sand.
"We're going here—the leaning watchtower at the center of the Asado Desert."
...
Bonus chapter at 100 PS