"Screee!"
Cyclizar is not stupid; it quickly figured this out.
"Want to try by yourself?" Naoki said.
Cyclizar nodded, then seized the moment, its figure flashed and it arrived in front of Koraidon.
The glowing Dragon Claw was raised high and then swung toward Koraidon.
However, this time, Koraidon moved.
Cyclizar's speed was fast, but Koraidon's speed was evidently faster.
Before the Dragon Claw could land on it, Koraidon grabbed Cyclizar's arm and threw it flying.
Koraidon's speed was really fast!
Naoki couldn't help but be amazed; he had never seen this Koraidon exert itself fully before.
But thinking carefully, Cyclizar's speed species strength is 121; though this number surpasses many Pokemon, it still doesn't exceed the Legendary Pokemon, Koraidon.
If he remembered correctly, Koraidon's speed species strength was as high as 135.
"That's enough, stop here!"
Naoki called to stop the battle and watched Cyclizar come over looking all dusty.
"Screee...," it still couldn't beat Koraidon...
Naoki smiled and patted Cyclizar's head: "No worries, you're only one and a half years old now, not even two, there's still plenty of time to gradually become stronger."
"Screee~" Cyclizar felt comforted. It happily nuzzled Naoki's palm and then looked at Koraidon with a full fighting spirit.
"Graaah..." Koraidon felt a complicated surge internally.
Moments later, it spoke to its past self: "Graaah!"
Cyclizar froze for a moment.
Naoki stood between the two Pokemon, glanced at one, then the other, and said with a smile:
"That's more like it! You two need to get along well in the future!"
Reflecting on Koraidon's earnest guidance during this time, Cyclizar happily nodded: "Screee!"
Though Koraidon might appear intimidating, Cyclizar could sense that this Pokemon's heart was just as kind as its own!
Cyclizar had wanted to be friends with Koraidon for a long time, but back then Koraidon was always fierce to it, only recently had it gotten better.
Koraidon looked at Naoki, then at Cyclizar, and with a bit of resignation nodded: "Graaah..."
*
Naoki had never robbed a tomb before nor explored underground ruins.
So, that night, when he logged onto the forum, he specifically sought advice from Raifort, who had extensive tomb-robbing experience.
[Wing King: Only two days left until our scheduled time, is there anything I need to prepare on my end?]
Raifort happened to be online, so Naoki quickly received her reply.
[Ancient Investigator: No need; I've got everything ready on my end. You just need to bring your ace Pokemon with you when the time comes.]
[Wing King: Alright, where should we meet then?]
[Ancient Investigator: Let's meet in Cascarrafa City, as I found in ancient documents that the capital of the Paldea Empire is buried beneath the sands of Asado Desert.]
Asado Desert?
Isn't that just south of Porto Marinada Town?
In the game, it's a vast, extensive desert where The Quaking Earth Titan Great Tusk and Iron Treads ran to after breaking through the Paldea Giant Pit's defense line.
But presently, those two Paradox Pokemon probably haven't run out of Paldea Giant Pit yet.
[Wing King: Got it. I'll be waiting for you in Cascarrafa City then.]
Once the two made their arrangements, Naoki logged off.
The desert is different from the outside; although Raifort said she would prepare, Naoki, being cautious, still went to the town beforehand to procure some necessary adventure supplies.
Items like dust-proof goggles to prevent sand, enough drinking water and food, a compass for direction, and clothes for warmth in cold weather.
Deserts have vast temperature differences between day and night; it's scorching hot during the day and temperatures plummet at night.
Naoki, always being careful, after thorough consideration, besides Koraidon, decided to also bring Slugma, Gogoat, and a Water Type Psyduck.
If they encounter a sandstorm and lose their luggage, they can use Slugma for warmth, drink goat's milk to regain strength, and have Psyduck use Water Gun to replenish their water supply.
Once everything was prepared, the time had come for the appointed date.
On July 25th, in the 199th year of the League calendar, Naoki, after arranging the work at the ranch, rode Koraidon towards Cascarrafa City, known as the "Water City."
When Naoki arrived at the destination, Raifort was already there waiting.
She stood at the topmost level of Cascarrafa City, leaning against a scenic fountain, holding a telescope and gazing towards the Asado Desert.
Following Raifort's gaze, Naoki saw a vast expanse of endless yellow sands creating a desert landscape.
Raifort was dressed in a brown-yellow exploration outfit, wearing dust-proof goggles, looking fully equipped.
"You've come!" Upon seeing Naoki and Koraidon, Raifort smiled slightly, put away the telescope, and asked, "Are you ready?"
Naoki: "Do we set off now?"
Raifort looked him up and down, then took an exploration outfit from her bag, "Change into this first; we'll set off once you're ready."
Naoki didn't say a word, took the clothes, and went to a roadside changing room.
When he came back out, he saw Raifort with eyes gleaming, examining Koraidon.
"Living relics of the past...I never thought I'd have a chance to see such a Pokemon in my lifetime!"
"Maybe you'll see more ancient Pokemon in the future!" Naoki smiled.
After all, when the defenses of the Paldea Giant Pit eventually collapse, those ancient and future Paradox Pokemon will emerge from the pit and invade the Paldea Region.
But Raifort didn't understand: "What do you mean?"
Naoki: "It's nothing, I was just thinking that if Koraidon could travel through time to the Paldea Region, then perhaps other Pokemon might do the same."
"Is that so?" Raifort nodded slightly.
However, she didn't dwell on this topic for long, as she was more concerned with what lay ahead.
Finding the lost royal city of the Ancient Paldea Empire might lead to more information about the four Treasures of Ruin.
She could then determine the locations where the Treasures of Ruin were imprisoned and collect them.
"Let's head out!" Raifort said.
Then Naoki watched as she drove out a black off-road buggy resembling a buffalo from a nearby alley.
Naoki was almost speechless: "T-this is way too extravagant!"
Raifort laughed, casually patting the seat behind her: "Hurry, both of you, get on!"
Naoki nervously climbed on with Koraidon.
Raifort stepped on the gas, and the vehicle charged out of Cascarrafa City.
After passing a stretch of asphalt road, they officially entered the desert area.
The four-wheel-drive buggy sped quickly across the sand, the engine roaring, and the four large tires spun, leaving an exaggerated trail of yellow sand behind.
"It's so fast!"
Naoki shouted, feeling uneasy, fearing the vehicle might flip at any moment.
Raifort, however, smirked: "Relax, trust my driving skills!"
"Moo!"
Suddenly, in the distance, a cloud of yellow sand rose as if something was rushing their way.
Naoki took up Raifort's telescope to check and saw a herd of robust, wild Pokemon with coarse black fur charging towards them.
Tauros! Those are Tauros! And the fiery-tempered Blaze Breed Tauros!
The Tauros ran incredibly fast over the desert, quickly closing the distance to the vehicle.
This herd of unruly bull-like Pokemon seemed to have mistaken the roaring buggy for an intruder in their territory, showing a determination to overturn the vehicle.
"Tauros are catching up—!" Naoki shouted.
Raifort glanced in the rearview mirror with a smirk: "Put on your goggles!"
Naoki hurriedly put on dust-proof goggles for both himself and Koraidon.
Raifort slammed the gas pedal and turned the handlebars.
A monstrous roar echoed from the engine, and in the next instant, the off-road buggy accelerated forward, immediately widening the gap from the charging Tauros behind them.