Rollin’ round the Sandy Dunes



Knock Knock



No one answered the door.



Knock Knock



More seconds pass with no one answering the door.



Knock Knock KNOCK



???: I’m coming in!



The door to the room slowly opens, and Xsar walks in from the outside. From her tail hung a few bags from her small trip of errands.



Xsar: Sam! I’m home!



She puts the bags down and walks into the room that Sam usually sat. Normally she would come in on him watching the show, but today was not a show day, so the TV sat silent.



Xsar: Sam??



He was not in his usual spot either, and it set off alarm bells in Xsar’s mind. If it were not for the scrap of paper that caught her eye, she would have turned the place upside down looking for the Flareon.



Xsar: What’s this..?



She picked up the paper and read. It was a note from Sam.



Dear Xsar,



I’m sosososo sorry for leaving the house while you were away, but the show people appeared, and said that I was needed now.



I know it’s against the rules for my safety to leave the house without your consent, but I didn’t have much of a choice… if only you were here to make it easier.



It’s really scary, but I’m a strong Flareon, and you know it! They said they were taking me to the train station if you wanted to know.



I hope to see you soon~



-Sam



Xsar: Oh no they just didn’t…



She huffed before yelling internally to the empty house.



Xsar: I should have never agreed. Never never never!



Her paws hit the entry mat in a flash, and soon she was right out the door again, the bag she had brought in left to rest on the entrance table...



...until the door opened quickly again, a paw reaching into and grabbing a collar with an S out of the bag before it closed again.



-------------------------------



Olden, the Jewel of the Olchen Desert, and main port of the Isle-continent as a whole.



Ships numerous and plenty lined the dockside. Some were cargo, their wares bound for Twitchopolis. Others were liners, ferrying people to and fro the Isle. Many Machoke and dockworkers ran about tending and observing the needed routines for every ship from Cruiser to Private.



Surrounding the port itself was the city. A grand fountain, sculpted of the first explorers of the island, headed the large plaza that sat dead center in the city. It overlooked both the port and the town around it. To its left stood the Olden Port Administrative Branch of the Church of Helix, the oldest site of fossil worship on the island-continent. Its outer walls glimmered in the intense sunlight, and a great many murals were etched on the grand facade. It was a jewel in an otherwise mundane town.



The train finally came to a stop as it entered Olden station. After a few seconds, its doors opened, and a number of mons poured out. Among the crowd were our beloved heroes, Burrito and Sam.



Sam: We’re finally here!



Ubeat was a jolly Sam, interested in the new land. Burrito did not look as happy.



Burrito: Woo…



Sam: Huh?



Burrito: Sorry, it’s just suddenly so hot… I’m sweating even just getting off the train!



He brushes a paw across his forehead to show his point.



Burrito: I would have brought some water if i'd known it would be this hot…



Sam: It isn’t too bad.



Burrito: You’re a fire type Sam. Your kind love the heat, unlike me.



Sam: O-oh… um, sorry?



Burrito: It isn’t your fault Sam, it’s the weather. Now… how should we start to search?

The two take a good look at their surroundings as they walk out of the train station. The station was located toward the edge of town, but even from their location they could see the fountain plaza.



Sam: We could try over there? It looks important enough.



Burrito: Sounds like a start. As long as it has some shade at least…



Sam: (What’s with him and heat? No one else here seems to be complaining…)



Sam continued to question the fact about Burrito as the two began their trek to the central plaza. Busy mons and a few humans, which were not the most common sight on the subcontinent of Twitchen, raced about around them. Some tended to stalls while others carried materials and supplies from the port.



When they reached the plaza, the air was a bit more relaxed. A few pairs of mons hung out around the central fountain, with only a few actually scurrying about.



Sam: That is one large fountain…



Burrito: I could swim in it already.



Sam: Huh?



Burrito: Bah- I mean! Lets look for someone around for info on the mines already!



He rushes of to the nearest mon to ask for answers, leaving Sam confused yet again.



Sam: (A-alright then…)



The first pair they question are unable to give an real answers, aside from the fact that their ship has been delayed. Deterred but not beaten, they question another, but are sent away before they could get any kind of information.



Sam: T-that didn’t work.



Burrito: No… but we have to keep going for her sake! (Guhhhh.. this heat!)



He shakes his head to focus, and turns to the next person of interest. There sitting under a tree quaintly was a female Vibrava. She seemed to be taking a nice little nap despite the bustling plaza nearby.



Sam: Um… I don’t think it would be nice to wake someone from a nap.



He had a point.



Burrito: I know I know… but we need to find a starting point on these mines.



Sam: Why are we even going t-



He stopped when he saw Burrito’s face fall faster than a drop of water.



Sam: N-nevermind! I’m sorry I’m sorry!



Burrito pays no mind to his words as he collects himself and moves toward the resting Vibrava.



Burrito: Uh… pardon the rude intrusion, but can may I be able to ask you something?



???: zzz



The Vibrava continued to rest.



Sam: I don’t think that worked.



Burrito: They must be a heavy sleeper if they can sleep out here. What should we do?



Sam: Give a gentle nudge?



Burrito: Sounds like a plan.



Sam: But I do think-



Before he can finish, Burrito moves in and gives a slight nudge to one of the Vibrava’s wings…



...before being launched across the plaza by a large bone.



????: NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!



Burrito: QUAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!



He smashes straight into a large stack of barrels, knocking over and breaking many of them. A few nearby mons look on in shock.



Sam: B-b-b-b-b-burrito!!!



He rushes over to where Burrito was sent as the Vibrava stretches its wings and legs before looking out at it’s attack. She begins to boast.



???: Take that! And stay away from ever touching me you creepy-



Until she hears who it actually is.



???: Wait; BURRITO?!?! Oh my g-



----------------



Burrito: Mynaaah… Stars... I see so many stars…



Sam: G-good stars, right? Right?!?!



A few minutes of intense barrel digging had finally landed Burrito out of the barrel pile. Sam was the first to hold the Espeon steady, and as far away from the Vibrava as he could.



Despite his attempts, the mon continued to attempt to approach and apologize.



???: Look, I didn’t know it was Burrito! I’ve had some weird people attempt to touch my wings before, and i just acted on instinct!



Sam: B-but what if Burrito was really hurt? W-what if you had-



???: I didn’t mean it! I swear!



Sam: …



Burrito: Sammy… I believe her… Trusssst me...



???: See?



Sam: I...-I don’t think my name is Sammy… and who are you?



???: Hmph, let me tell you then. Since it sounds like you need the know.



The Vibrava spins once before pulling out 5 random cards. She holds them before her in front of Sam.



???: Pick a card any card!



Sam: Why?



???: Just pick one!



Sam: O-okay…



He reaches forward and grabs a single card. Upon closer inspection, the card is blank both on the front and the back.



Sam: This card is-



???: You’ve just activated my TRUMP CARD!



Sam: Wha?!?



Another outlandish pose from the Vibrava before she moves on to the formalities. Sam is spooked.



Trumprava: The names Trumprava, Johto’s mistress and dealer of cards and hammers. Nice to meet ya!



Sam: N-nice to meet you…



Trumpava: You certainly seem to be the shy one.



Sam: S-s-s-shy…



But before the Trump could shrink the spooked Flareon more, Burrito finally approached most recovered from his fly over the plaza.



Burrito: Johto’s... mistress?



Trumprava: That is correct! It may not be on your level Burrito, but it holds high regard in it’s own right!



Burrito: ...then why have I never heard of you before?



And to the floor Trumprava fell.



Trumprava: Hahahaaaaaaaaaaaa….



Burrito: Um…



Trumprava: Nevermind nevermind. Now what did you want? You did approach me, no?



Burrito: Yea. We wanted to know something abou-



KAPOW!!!



A gigantic explosion emanated from the port of the city, shaking a few nearby trees and disrupting the flow of the water for a small second. As smoke started to rise from the detonation point; Burrito, Sam, and a few other mons flew into a panic. Most others however, were unfazed.



Trumprava sighs.



Trumprava: And that is the fourth one this week. At this rate I’m never going to be able to go back to Johto!



Burrito: Fourth time this week?!?!?!



Trumprava: Yes, someone has thought of it funny to start detonating explosives in some of the ships in port. While no one has been hurt or seriously injured in the explosions, it has completely scared away many vessels and lines, stranding people in town like me.



Burrito: But that’s insane! Why would someone do that?!?



Trumprava: Don’t ask me, I’m not any sort of pyromaniac.



Sam looked completely freaked out.



Sam: I-i-i hate explosions… (so scary…)



Trumprava: You’ll be fine as long as you don’t go near the docks. The perpetrator hasn’t targeted anything else so far.



Burrito: But what if they do hurt someone? They should be stopped!



Trumprava nodded, but with a frown.



Trumprava: They should… however, no one has been able to catch the perpetrator.



Burrito: Why not? This is the fourth time correct? Shouldn’t they at least have seen the culprit?



Trumprava: Seen yes…



The ground begins to rumble below their feet and Trumpava is cut off as a rolling mass of rock tumbles their way.



Sam: Now r-r-r-ROCKS?!?



Burrito: Is that-?



Trumrava: Yes! But we need to move NOW!



The three dive out of the way, not without something small slipping out of Sam’s pockets, to avoid the rolling mass about to trainroll them.



Burrito: Nughh! This is the second time I’ve been on the ground in the short time I’ve been here. This city and it’s heat fallings are not fun!!



Sam: (Scaryrockscaryrockscaryrockscaryrock)



Trumprava: Heat fallings?



Burrito: I made it up okay???



Trumrava: Sheesh, if you were going to be this crabby about it I’d let you take a face full of that rollout.



Burrito: U-uh.. I mean- sorry….



He gets up and begins to profusely apologize. Annoying the heck out of Trumprava.



Trumprava: And now you can stop apologizing! This is even worse than earlier!



Burrito: Gah! Sorry!



Trumprava: Nevermind, lets just move on okay!



The two continued their little game, unaware of the now frantic Sam searching around them.



Sam: W-where did it go?!?!?!



He searches around where he dove away from the rolling rock, accidentally bumping into Burrito.



Burrito: Okay I’l- Eh? What's the matter Sam?



Sam: I can’t find it!



Burrito: Find what? Did you drop something?



Sam: ‘Did I drop something?’?!? Only just the most important thing to me!



Burrito: I understand that some items are important, but al least we are safe! We can look for it later, I promise.



Sam rejects his offer.



Sam: No! You don’t understand how much it actually means! Really!!!



Burrito: ..okay, we will look for it. If that’s okay with you?



He looks back at Trumprava.



Trumprava: It’s not like I’m going anywhere anytime soon with all these recent explosions. I’ll be waiting if you need to ask me anything.



Burrito: Thanks.



He returns to Sam and the two begin their search.



Burrito: Now where do you think you left it? On the train?



Sam: No… I made sure it was there when we were walking to the square. So that would mean…

It clicks.



Sam: Nooo!



He quickly dashes to the spot where he dived out of the way to find any trace of the object. There was nothing there, only a small rugged mark leading out of the city by the rollout escape.



Sam: I-i have to get it back! I have to!!!



He begins to follow the trail out of the city, catching Burrito completely off guard.



Burrito: Sam what are you- come back!!! (Please stop running, I’m already burned up in this heat as it is! What are we even looking for?!?!?)



He begins to follow Sam out of the city, attempting to catch up and stop the Flareon. All the commotion is only caught at the end by Trumprava.



Trumprava: Wait where are those two goin-



She watched as their small forms passed the outer wall and into the expansive desert outlining the city.



Trumprava: Are they really going out into the desert alone and with no prior preparation? That’s suicide for any non Ground, Rock, or Steel mon! (I have to stop them!)



Stop them she would have to indeed, as off on the horizon, a large plume of dust and sand had begun to lay claim to the skies…



Chapter 12 END