The great desert was no longer sweltering at night, sinking instead into cold stillness. Even the ceaseless wind and sand seemed to have grown tired, losing their daytime fury and becoming much calmer.
The moon had replaced the blazing sun, bringing a chill to the entire region, though that chill was rather biting.
Most of the Pokémon living here were Ground-type or Rock-type. Their tough bodies could withstand the harsh sandstorms, and most had steady temperaments, rarely approaching humans on their own. The plentiful rocks and sand, along with the minerals underground, could meet all their needs for survival and growth.
So they had no need to risk attacking humans.
But not every Pokémon living in the desert was like that. Many mischievous Pokémon, or ones that hated humans, also lived here. They watched travelers entering their territory and secretly followed them, waiting until the humans were exhausted to steal their food and wreck their camps.
Some even attacked outright!
And the moment Yong entered this desert, one Pokémon had set its sights on him.
A faint red glow appeared on the horizon.
Outside the makeshift campsite, a figure suddenly appeared, silently watching the cave entrance beneath the rocks.
Perhaps the presence of Steelix and Marshtomp made him hesitate, keeping him from acting rashly. But as a Dark-type Pokémon, his violent temper was no less fierce than that of Fire-type or Fighting-type Pokémon!
"Kaa!!"
With a low cry, he raised both arms. Spike after spike shot out, pelting the rock blocking the entrance in an unbroken barrage!
Boom!
The instant the rock shattered, Steelix emerged from the underground cave with Yong wrapped in his tail. Amid the flying sand and stones, he rammed headfirst into the Pokémon.
Bam!
"Kaa!"
Caught unprepared, the attacker was knocked away and landed some distance