89 Encountering a Stranger

The journey through the desert this time was extremely perilous, but the gains were much greater than expected. Not only did Yuga obtain the Trapinch as intended, but also a Gligar. On top of that, encountering the Guardian Orb was such a stroke of luck that Yuga thought he might wake up laughing from his dreams when he returned.

Yuga felt it was time to head back.

Looking at the massive Flygon before him, Yuga suddenly realized something: Why walk when he had a mount?

So, Yuga recalled Flygon leader and, with Audino and Linoone in tow, he mounted the back of Flygon leader.

Meanwhile, Swellow followed behind Flygon.

Thankfully, Flygon leader was considerably larger than a regular Flygon. Otherwise, accommodating both Yuga and his companions' large forms would have been impossible.

Flygon truly lived up to its title as a desert spirit; its control over sandstorms was remarkable. During the flight, Yuga didn't feel a single grain of sand hitting his face.

Yuga rode Flygon, following the direction indicated by his compass, flying southward.

Before entering the desert, Yuga knew that Verdanturf Town lay to the south of the desert.

As for why Yuga didn't fly north to return to Mauville City and then take a car to Verdanturf Town, it was simply more convenient this way. After spending a few days in the desert, Yuga was truly eager to return home.

Yuga had been away for quite a few days now. He couldn't help but worry about his group of Pokémon back home. Even though they were being taken care of by Miltanks, he was still very concerned.

Flygon's speed was impressive. After flying for almost half a day, Yuga finally saw green vegetation in the distance.

Just then, he heard the cries of Pokémon from the ground. Looking down, he spotted a Lairon.

What caught Yuga's attention was that this Lairon had a person on its back, looking up at Yuga in plea for help.

Yuga signaled to Flygon to descend. Although he didn't like meddling in others' affairs, he couldn't just ignore someone in need.

Descending from Flygon's back, Yuga carefully lifted the person off Lairon. He offered the person some water and then took a closer look at their appearance. His first impression was: Wow, this person is really messy.

The person's clothes and shoes were all dirty, almost impossible to discern their original colors. Their hair was disheveled, covered not only in sand but also emanating a strange odor.

As for their face, it was even harder to make out. Yuga couldn't tell what they looked like; all he saw was a smudge of dirt.

Looking at the person lying on the ground, Yuga asked Lairon, "Did you all get into trouble while exploring the desert?"

Lairon quickly nodded.

Observing the tough armor on Lairon's back and the various protruding metal pieces, Yuga couldn't help but sympathize. Did this person really faint because they hit their head on Lairon's back?

Yuga: "Don't worry, I'll make sure he's safely taken to the Pokémon Center. Your Poké Balls are with him, right? I'll recall you for now, or I won't be able to take you with me."

Lairon nodded gratefully and used its head to nudge the person's waist, producing an Ultra Ball.

Yuga picked up the Ultra Ball and recalled Lairon, then released another Flygon.

Placing the person onto the back of Flygon leader, he let Audino sit together with that person to prevent him from falling off midway. While Yuga and Linoone ride the newly released Flygon.

The two Flygons took off, continuing their journey.

As they gradually left the desert behind and entered a forested area, the first thing Yuga saw in the distance was the towering Mt. Chimey. Yuga realized he had entered the range of Lavaridge Town.

He hadn't planned to pass through Lavaridge Town when he set out, yet here he was on his way back.

With his location confirmed, Yuga instructed Flygon to speed up. Finally, by evening, they arrived at Lavaridge Town.

Upon arriving, Yuga's first destination was the Pokémon Center. After all, he was carrying a "dead weight" with him.

Let Linoone help the person down from the back of Flygon, and recall both Flygons. Then, Yuga strode into the Pokémon Center and called out, "Nurse Joy, come take a look at this person."

Soon after, Nurse Joy and Chansey guided the person into the examination room.

After a while, Nurse Joy emerged from the room and told Yuga, "Your friend is fine. They were just a bit dehydrated and probably haven't eaten for a few days. As long as they drink plenty of water and eat something, they'll be okay."

Yuga waved his hand and told Nurse Joy, "No, no, no. I don't know this person. I found him in the desert. Since they're okay now, I'll be on my way. This is his Poké Ball. When he wake up, please return it to him."

With that, Yuga handed over the Poké Ball containing Lairon to Nurse Joy.

Nurse Joy accepted the Poké Ball and said, "I see, that's how it is. Don't worry, I'll give it back to him."

Looking at the time outside, Yuga realized it was evening, but the sky hadn't turned dark yet. He decided to fly back to Verdanturf directly using Flygon's speed. Given its pace, they should be able to make it smoothly.

So, Yuga wasted no time. He had Audino and the others climb onto the back of Flygon leader, pointed in the direction of Verdanturf, and instructed Flygon leader to fly straight there.

Fortunately, Verdanturf wasn't far from Lavaridge Town. By around 8 o'clock in the evening, Yuga successfully arrived in Verdanturf.

Upon reaching the outskirts of Verdanturf, Yuga recalled Flygon leader and headed home with Audino and the others.

Meanwhile, back at the Lavaridge Town Pokémon Center, the person Yuga had brought back, who had been unconscious all this time, finally woke up.

They opened their bewildered eyes, finding themselves under a pristine white ceiling. They felt a bit disoriented, wondering, "Wasn't I supposed to be in the desert? Where am I?"

Just then, Nurse Joy came for rounds and, seeing that the person was awake, exclaimed in delight, "Oh, you're awake! Is there anything wrong?"

"Nurse Joy? Is this the Pokémon Center?"

Nurse Joy smiled and replied, "Yes, it is. This is the Lavaridge Town Pokémon Center. You were brought here while you were unconscious, so naturally, you wouldn't know."

"How did I get here?"

Nurse Joy answered, "A young man brought you here. He said he found you in the desert. Here, this is the Poké Ball he wanted me to give you."

As Nurse Joy spoke, she gestured to the Poké Ball placed beside the person's pillow.

The person turned to look at their Poké Ball and then asked Nurse Joy, "Do you know who that young man is? Where does he live?"

Shaking her head, Nurse Joy replied, "I don't know. He didn't say. As soon as he heard you were okay, he left."

"I see."