On July 23rd, Year 199 of the Alliance dar, just two days remained before Naoki would embark on his jouro explore the a ruins.

  That m, Naoki decided to evaluate the progress of the special training the Cyclizar and Dragonairs had undergoh Koraidohe past few weeks.

  The Dragonairs were in good form. Their training had been incorporated into pyful exercises, and each had mastered one or two new moves over the st fht. Cyclizar, however, had approached its training with airely different attitude—focused and intense.

  When Koraidon had first offered to mentor Cyclizar, the tter had been stunned. Koraidon, after all, usually maintained a detached attitude, her overly close nor too distant from it.

  Cyclizar initially thought Koraidon was joking. But upon realizing the siy behind Koraidon's offer, it resolved to give its all to the training.

  Now, weeks ter, the results of that effort were ready to be showcased.

  Standing on the lush grass of the pasture, Cyclizar fidently dispyed the moves it had learned under Koraidon's guidas first demonstration was a high-speed charge, leaping into the air and using its entire body to press down on an imagined oppo.

  "That looks a lot like a physical move with overwhelming force," Naoki observed, making a mental note.

  Watg Cyclizar execute the maneuver, Naoki noticed a resembo Koraidon's Collision Crash—a move that also involved leaping high and smming into the oppo with great force.

  "Good work, keep it up!" Naoki enced, jotting down Cyclizar's progress in his notebook.

  The Pokémon then proceeded to demonstrate its other newly learned moves. Time seemed to fly as Cyclizar showcased its full repertoire over the en minutes.

  When it finally pleted its final move, Naoki g the detailed notes in his journal:

  [Name]: Cyclizar

  [Personality]: Pyful, naive, determined. Lately, it seems inspired to grow stronger like Dragonite and Koraidon.

  [Hobbies]: Sunbathing, chasing butterflies, and happily assisting with chores.

  [Favorite Foods]: Grilled steak, Naoki's secret sandwich, fresh fruit juice, and MooMoo Milk.

  [Mastered Moves]: Crash, Screech, Rapid Spin, Dragon Tail, Agility, Wide Guard, Quick Attack, Acrobatics, Double Hit, Body Sm, Gear Shift, Dragon Pulse, Dragon Rush, e, Iron Head, Giga Impact.

  As Naoki reviewed the list, two moves stood out to him: Gear Shift and Agility—both speed-enhang teiques.

  A curious thought crossed his mind. "Just how fast could Cyclizar go if it pushed itself to its limit?"

  Intrigued, Naoki turo the Pokémon. "Cyclizar, show me how you use Gear Shift."

  "Raao!" Cyclizar chirped, its determination evident. The wheel-like structure on its chest began to glow with a brilliant white light, spinning rapidly like a high-performaorcycle engine.

  "Now run!" Naoki instructed.

  Cyclizar took off, dashing across the grass at a stunning speed.

  "Impressive!" Naoki marveled, taking notes.

  He then instructed Cyclizar to stack Gear Shift and Agility for maximum speed before running again. The Pokémon trated hard, buffing itself to the limit.

  When Cyclizar took off this time, it became nothing more than a blur, disappearing from Naoki's sight in an instant.

  "What incredible speed!" Naoki muttered in awe. He recalled reading in the Pokédex that Cyclizar's top speed could reach 120 km/h. Now, seeing it in a, he had no doubts about the cim.

  Cyclizar's speed was a clear asset. In battle, it could easily use this to dodge attacks, close the gap with an oppo, and unch moves like Dragon Tail or Iron Head for devastating impact.

  Satisfied with the demonstration, Naoki called Cyclizar bad expined his thoughts: "Speed is yreatest strength. During battles, use it to outmaneuver your oppos. In professional terms, this strategy is called 'kiting'—keeping your distance while wearing them down."

  Cyclizar tilted its head quizzically. "Raao?"

  Before Naoki could expin further, Koraidon yawned zily from its spot on the grass, catg his attention.

  Aruck him.

  "Instead of expining, let's practice," Naoki decided. "Koraidon, would you mind being Cyclizar's sparring partner? I'll direct Cyclizar in a mock battle against you."

  Koraidon blinked, looking slightly a the sudden request. But after a moment's hesitation, it gave a resigned nod and rose to its feet, positioning itself on the grass.

  The Cyclizar's expression was brimming with determination as it faced Koraidon.

  The battle officially began!

  Cyclizar versus Koraidon—a test of speed and strategy. With Naoki's and, Cyclizar used Breaking Swipe, a Dragon-type move, as its opening strike.

  Cyclizar darted forward, its sturdy tail glowing faintly before sweeping toward Koraidon in a wide arc.

  Koraidon, true to its cooperative nature, remained motionless, ag as a stationary target for the demonstration.

  As soon as the attaded, Naoki issued the and: "Create distance! Don't let your oppo close in on you!"

  Cyclizar immediately retreated, using its impressive speed to circle around Koraidon.

  "Go again—this time, use Dragon d pull back just as fast!"

  With incredible agility, Cyclizar charged in once more, cws glowing with dragon energy. After nding a precise hit, it leapt away to safety.

  These two quick exges seemed to spark uanding in Cyclizar. Its movements became more deliberate, its fidence building.

  Naoki took the opportunity to expin further: "Do you see now? This is called a kiting tactic. Your speed is yreatest strength. Use it to maintain distarike decisively, areat before your oppo retaliate."

  "Gah!" Cyclizar nodded, its eyes gleaming with determination as it began to prehend the strategy.

  "Want to try it on your own?" Naoki asked with a grin.

  Cyclizar nodded eagerly. It waited for the right moment, then bolted forward, closing the distao Koraidon in an instant. Its cws shimmered as it raised them high, preparing to strike with Dragon Cw.

  But this time, Koraidon moved.

  Though Cyclizar was incredibly fast, Koraidon's movements were even faster. Before the Dragon Cw could ect, Koraidoly caught Cyclizar's arm and, with a burst of strength, tossed it aside.

  Cyclizar tumbled across the grass, stunned by the sheer speed and power of its oppo.

  Naoki observed the iion with a mixture of amazement and uanding. Koraidon had rarely dispyed its full capabilities before. It was clear now just how much faster and stro was pared to the young Cyclizar.

  "Let's stop here for now!" Naoki called out, signaling the end of the battle.

  Cyclizar got to its feet, covered in dust, and walked back toward Naoki, its expression slightly downcast.

  "Gah…" it murmured softly, clearly disappoi its inability to match Koraidon.

  Naoki crouched down aly patted Cyclizar's head. "It's okay. You're only one and a half years old—still so young. There's plenty of time for you to grow stronger."

  Cyclizar's eyes brighte the reassura nuzzled Naoki's palm affeately, its fighting spirit reigniting. It turo Koraidon, its expression full of resolve, silently promising to grow stronger and challe again.

  Koraidon, this, let out a flicted but uanding sigh. "Raao…"

  Cyclizar tilted its head, momentarily fused by Koraidon's tone.

  Naoki, standiweewo Pokémon, looked at them both and ughed. "That's right! You two should get along from now on—after all, there's a lot you learn from each other."

  Cyclizar looked at Koraidon with a happy expression. "Raao!" it chirped, its eyes full of gratitude.

  Although Koraidon had a fearsome appearance, Cyclizar had e ts ki. For the loime, Cyclizar had wao befriend Koraidon, but Koraidon's cold demeanor had kept it at bay. Only retly had things begun to ge.

  Koraidon g Naoki, then back at Cyclizar, and gave a relut nod. "Raao…" it sighed, a mix of acceptand amusement in its tone.

  ...

  Later that evening, Naoki logged into the forum to sult with Raifort'

  [Gold King: Only two days left until the expedition. Is there anything I o prepare?]

  Raifort was online and replied almost immediately.

  [A Explorer: No need. I've already prepared everything. Just bring your best Pokémon with you.]

  [Gold King: Got it. Where should we meet?]

  [A Explorer: Let's meet in Cascarrafa City. I've found some a records indig that the capital of the Paldea Empire is buried beh the sands of the Great Desert.]

  The Great Desert? That was just south of Kosaji Town!

  In the Pokémon games, it was a vast expanse of sandy terrain where legendary paradox Pokémon, Great Tusk and Iron Treads, roamed freely after esg the depths of Area Zero.

  [Wing King: Uood. I'll meet you in Cascarrafa City.]

  With their p, Naoki logged off and began preparing for the expedition.

  The desert was an uable pce, and while Raifort had assured him she would handle most of the preparations, Naoki decided to gather additional supplies, just in case. He purchased dust goggles for sandstorms, an ample supply of water and food, a pass, and warm clothing to bat the desert's freezing nights.

  Naoki also carefully selected his Pokémon for the journey. Aside from Koraidon, he decided t Slugma for warmth, Gogoat, and a Psyduck.

  In case their luggage is lost due to a sandstorm or something, they also use Slugma to keep warm, drink goat milk to restore their strength, a Psyduck use a water gun to replenish water.

  After all the preparations were pleted, the agreed deadline arrived.

  On July 25, Alliance dar Year 199, Naoki finished making arras for his ranch before setting off. He mounted Koraidon and made his way to Cascarrafa City, known for its shimmering waterways and niame, "Water Town."

  Upon arriving, Naoki spotted Raifort waiting oop floor of a tower he city's tral fountain. She stood poised, sing the endless desert with a telescope. The golden expanse of sand stretched as far as the eye could see, shimmering uhe bzing sun.

  Raifort was dressed in a rugged brown-and-yellow expedition suit, plete with dust goggles and sturdy boots. Her fident stand prepared gear gave her an air of seasoned professionalism.

  As Naoki and Koraidon approached, Raifort lowered the telescope and smiled. "You made it," she said warmly. "Are you ready?"

  "Are we heading out now?" Naoki asked, surveying the desert ahead.

  Raifort nodded but scrutinized Naoki's casual attire. Without a word, she reached int and pulled out a matg expedition suit. "Put this on first," she instructed. "The desert isn't fiving, even to experieravelers."

  Naoki quietly took the expedition suit from Raifort and headed to the nearby ging room. When he emerged, fully dressed in the rugged outfit, he noticed Raifort staring at Koraidon with wide, awestruck eyes.

  "The Winged King of the Past… I never imagined I'd get to see such a Pokémon in my lifetime!" Raifort marveled.

  Naoki chuckled. "Who knows? Maybe you'll see even more a Pokémon iure."

  He was thinking of the iable breach at Area Zero, when paradox Pokémon from both a and futuristic times would spill into Paldea. But Raifort tilted her head, puzzled.

  "What do you mean?" she asked.

  "Oh, nothing," Naoki replied nontly. "I was just thinking—if Koraidon could appear in Paldea, maybe others like it will too."

  Raifort sidered his words for a moment before nodding. "You might be right." She didn't linger oopic, though; her mind was already fixed on the real goal ahead.

  If they could uhe lost royal city of the a Paldean Empire buried beh the Great Desert, she might also find critical clues about the four Treasures of Ruin. Those discoveries would bring her closer to determining the locations of their seals—and perhaps acquiring them herself.

  "Let's move out!" Raifort decred.

  To Naoki's astonishment, Raifort walked to a nearby alley and drove out in a massive, bck, off-road vehicle that resembled a Tauros with its rugged build and horns painted on the front.

  Naoki's jaw nearly dropped. "Isn't this a bit… over the top?"

  Raifrinned and patted the seat behind her. "Hop on, both of you!"

  Naoki hesitated but climbed aboard with Koraidon, who perched carefully behind him, its tail tucked securely. The vehicle rumbled as Raifort stomped on the accelerator, and they sped out of Cascarrafa City, kig up clouds of dust as they left the asphalt road behind.

  The real adventure began as they ehe desert. The off-road vehicle roared across the sandy dunes, its massive tires carvirails in the golden sand. Each turn and acceleratio a fresh cascade of sand flying behind them.

  "This is too fast!" Naoki shouted, clutg the sides of the vehicle for dear life. He was sure the whole thing would tip over any sed.

  Raifnced back at him with a smirk. "Rex! Trust my driving!"

  "Ruoom!"

  Naoki's attention was drawn to the horizon, where he salume of yellow sand billowing in the distance. Something was moving fast—something big.

  He quickly grabbed Raifort's telescope to get a better look and was greeted by the sight of a herd of wild Tauros. These weren't just any Tauros; they were the fiery Paldean breed, their bck fur glinting uhe sun and their sharp eyes filled with fury.

  "It's Tauros! A whole herd of them!" Naoki excimed, his voice filled with tension.

  The Tauros charged through the desert with incredible speed, their hooves kig up sand in all dires. It was clear they had mistaken the r off-road vehicle for a threat to their territory, and they were determio drive it out—or overturn it pletely.

  "They're gaining on us!" Naoki cried, gng nervously at Koraidon, who growled in anticipation of a fight.

  Raif the charging Tauros in her rearview mirror, her lips curling into aed grin. "Put on ygles!" she instructed.

  Naoki fumbled to secure his dust goggles, quickly helping Koraidon adjust its own.

  Without missing a beat, Raifripped the handlebars tightly and floored the accelerator. The engine roared like a beast unleashed, and the vehicle surged forward, its massive tires spinning faster as it barreled across the sand. The sudden burst of speed created a widening gap between them and the Tauros herd.

  ...

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