On the sand dunes.
At sunset.
Baimu gazed into the distance. At a glance, he spotted a Pokémon Center beside an oasis beneath the evening glow, its enormous Poké Ball sign shining faintly.
"We're here. It's not a mirage."
Warm, gentle light shone through its floor-to-ceiling windows, easing the heat and exhaustion he felt.
"Finally! Thank goodness!"
Iris and Fraxure trailed behind him. At his words, they both teared up and pitched face-first into the sand, turning their heads just enough to breathe.
The two had walked beneath the blazing sun from afternoon until dusk, through a desert no less. That alone was a grueling test of stamina.
Yet Iris had fallen for mirages twice, sprinting a long way for nothing. Then she had spotted a Flygon and chased it like mad, burning through even more energy.
After traveling with her for half a day, Baimu found the idea of traveling alone increasingly appealing.
Of course.
Having company wasn't without its pleasures. Someone to chat with while walking helped him forget his fatigue, and it felt quite different from chatting with Aggron and his other Pokémon.
As they talked, they had shared plenty about themselves—
Strictly speaking, Iris had done most of the sharing.
Like Ash, she couldn't help describing her dream of becoming a Dragon Master whenever she chatted with someone.
Perhaps she hadn't always done that, but after traveling with Ash for so long, the habit had rubbed off on her.
There was nothing wrong with that.
Aside from a few obnoxious brats and villains, most adults in the Pokémon animated world praised and supported other people's dreams. No one would mock her for talking about hers all the time.
Baimu had a goal of his own, so he certainly wouldn't laugh at her.
Besides, she would one