The wind and sand were a little kinder than yesterday. Perhaps they had grown familiar with his face and could no longer bear to torment him.
Yong and Marshtomp trudged through the desert. Every step across the soft sand took extra effort, and Marshtomp's stubby legs even sank completely into the yellow sand.
"Where are all the Ground-type Pokémon I was promised? Why haven't I seen a single one?"
A deep sense of defeat washed over Yong as he glared at the yellow sand swirling around him.
"Are we still in Cacturne's territory? We've been walking forever, haven't we, Marshtomp?"
"Maru~"
Sprawled limply in the sand, Marshtomp gave a lazy cry, making it clear that there was no interest in answering him.
"Ugh, just let me find a Pokémon! I'm not asking for much! Any Ground-type will do!"
As though answering the boy's wish, a sudden rustling came from the sand ahead, and a strange Pokémon poked out of the ground.
"Diglett~ Diglett!"
All that showed was an oval brown head and a red nose-or mouth-with the rest of its body buried underground.
"Well, would you look at that! Speak of the devil! It's a Diglett!"
Diglett
Yong looked at the Pokémon that had suddenly appeared and said in delight,
"Not quite what I was hoping for, but since you're the first Ground-type Pokémon I've found, I'm going to catch you! Diglett! Go, Marshtomp!"
"Maru!"
With something to do at last, Marshtomp perked up, quickly rose from the sand, and stood before Diglett, brimming with fighting spirit.
"Diglett~!"
"Diglett!"
"Trio, trio, trio, trio~~!!"
"Trio, trio, trio, trio, trio, trio!!!"
Just as Yong was about to have Marshtomp attack, the little Pokémon opposite them suddenly cried out, bobbing up and down. Then the sand all around them began to shift. More