Chapter 15: Come Forth, Sandstorm!
This crystallized rock was the very same Smooth Rock Crystal that Basalt had brought with him when he transmigrated. It could also be called a Flawless-grade Smooth Rock. But no matter what it was called, its preciousness could not be denied.
In the games, after a sandstorm-loving Pokémon consumed a Smooth Rock Crystal, it would be guaranteed to learn the move "Sandstorm" and become extremely proficient at using it, only slightly less so than a Pokémon with the "Sand Stream" ability. In addition, the pure elemental energy contained within the Smooth Rock Crystal would also transform the Pokémon's body, making it even more attuned to the Rock type and enhancing its natural potential.
That's right, in the real world, besides being a held item, a Smooth Rock could also be consumed, just like the Type Gem fragments. The reason precious items in the Pokémon world had such special effects was, to put it bluntly, because they contained pure elemental energy. And since it was energy, it could certainly be absorbed by Pokémon and converted for their own use.
The only thing was, after consuming a Smooth Rock Crystal, the pure energy inside would be completely absorbed until it vanished entirely. If it were just held by a Pokémon, it could be used indefinitely. In other words, consuming it was a one-time use, while holding it was for permanent use. But in terms of effect, consumption was clearly superior.
As Basalt's starter Pokémon, Drilbur was worthy of a Smooth Rock Crystal.
"Chari~" (oωo)
As a sandstorm Pokémon, the moment the Smooth Rock Crystal was taken out, Drilbur was captivated. Its eyes turned into little stars. Almost no sandstorm Pokémon could resist the allure of a Smooth Rock, let alone a Flawless-grade one.
After spending the last two weeks together day and night, the bond between Basalt and Drilbur had already begun to form. Therefore, Basalt wasn't afraid that Drilbur would become disobedient or betray him after becoming stronger. He had that much confidence.
"Drilbur, although you are still weak right now, and I am just a novice trainer, I believe that as long as we work hard together, we will one day become the strongest trainer and Pokémon in this world."
"Are you… willing to work hard with me?"
Basalt looked at Drilbur, his eyes burning with intensity.
When he used to watch the anime or play the games, Basalt never really understood the so-called bond between a Pokémon and its trainer. But after spending this time with Drilbur, he was beginning to understand. In the real world, Pokémon weren't just simple pets or tools; they were true partners and friends.
Perhaps in the future, Basalt would catch many Pokémon with stronger talents and higher base stats than his current Drilbur. But no matter what, Drilbur's position in his heart would never be shaken.
Not even for a Tyranitar!
"Chari~" o(TωT)o
Feeling Basalt's sincerity, Drilbur's eyes grew moist. It could sense that the Smooth Rock Crystal was no ordinary item. But now, Basalt was placing it right before its mouth. To say it wasn't moved would be a lie. At this moment, the little mole felt it would do anything for its confidant.
For the rest of its life, it, Drilbur, would follow Basalt and no one else!
Wiping away its tears, Drilbur looked up and met Basalt's gaze. In that instant, the bond between man and mole was elevated, becoming even more unbreakable.
"Eat it."
Basalt smiled and placed the Smooth Rock Crystal in Drilbur's mouth.
"Chari~"
Drilbur nodded solemnly and swallowed the Smooth Rock Crystal in one gulp. Although it had crystallized, it was still essentially a hard rock. Drilbur probably couldn't bite through it, so its only option was to swallow it whole and digest it slowly over time.
"Chari~" (～￣▽￣)～
With the Smooth Rock Crystal in its stomach, Drilbur immediately showed a look of pleasure.
Basalt stared at Drilbur with anticipation, not daring to make a sound to disturb it. The little mole had already closed its eyes, seemingly sensing the changes taking place within its body.
…
A full half an hour passed before Drilbur finally opened its eyes.
"Drilbur, how do you feel?" Basalt quickly asked.
"Chari~" (^ω^)
Drilbur raised its claws again, indicating that it felt great right now, full of a seemingly endless supply of power.
"Chari?"
Suddenly, Drilbur turned its gaze to the sand and gravel on the ground. The little mole could feel that it had somehow established an incredible connection with them. It had a feeling that it… could now control this sand!
Seeing Drilbur's expression, Basalt roughly guessed the source of its confusion and said with delight, "Drilbur, are you sensing the presence of the sand?"
"Chari~"
Drilbur nodded.
"It worked! The effect of the Smooth Rock Crystal is exactly like in the games. This means, Drilbur, you should have learned the move 'Sandstorm'!"
A look of ecstasy appeared on Basalt's face. The Smooth Rock Crystal had not let him down.
"In that case, don't suppress this power, Drilbur. Come forth… Sandstorm!" Basalt waved his hand dramatically, letting out a laugh worthy of a great villain.
Sandstorm, a Rock-type move, kicks up a sandstorm for a period of time, damaging all Pokémon except Rock, Ground, and Steel types. It was an incredibly powerful field-control move and the very core of any sandstorm team. In a sandstorm, sand-loving Pokémon become terrifyingly strong!
"Chari~" (▼へ▼メ)
Drilbur understood. With a sharp cry, it channeled the power in its body through its claws and into the ground, creating a deeper connection with the sand and gravel.
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!
Under the effect of Drilbur's energy, the sand on the ground suddenly lifted into the air, swirling around the little mole without any wind, like a vortex.
Sandstorm… had appeared!
But the intensity of this sandstorm seemed… a little weak?
Around Drilbur, only a tiny wisp of sand was dancing in the air. If Basalt hadn't been standing so close, he wouldn't even have been able to see it clearly.
Basalt: (_)?
He was completely baffled.
This sand was technically moving, so in theory, you could call it a "sandstorm," but it felt like a passing draft could kick up more sand than this. Seriously, if you were standing three meters away, you probably wouldn't even be able to see the sand swirling around Drilbur. There were probably only a few thousand grains of sand dancing around.
A few thousand might sound like a lot in other contexts, but they were talking about grains of sand here! A handful of sand probably contained more than ten thousand grains.
Basalt looked at Drilbur suspiciously and asked tentatively, "Drilbur, were you trying?"
Drilbur: [_?]
This time, it was Drilbur's turn to be baffled.
I think… I was trying pretty hard!
"Drilbur, were you really trying?"
Basalt rushed over to Drilbur, grabbed its shoulders with both hands, his voice filled with emotion.
"Drilbur, don't you play games with me! I want a sandstorm, do you understand what a sandstorm is?" Basalt's voice was already cracking. "The kind that kicks up a huge cloud of dust, the kind that blankets the entire battlefield, the kind that continuously damages the opponent…"
I wanted a sandstorm, and you give me… this?
This?!
Are you serious?
This was a Flawless-grade Smooth Rock Crystal! If you gave it to a dog, even the dog could probably learn Sandstorm!
"Try a little harder, just a little harder…" Basalt was truly on the verge of tears now, but he held them back and tried to encourage Drilbur, hoping for a miracle. However, his encouraging voice was hoarse and more grating than the squeal of a pig being slaughtered.
"Nnngh~~ Nnngh~"
Not far away, Basalt's dad and mom had just returned. From a distance, through the small grove of trees, they heard Basalt's strained exhortations and the little mole's heavy panting.
The two of them exchanged a look… and fell silent.
The air was thick with an awkward atmosphere.
"Honey, let's buy more vegetables lately. Don't give the boy so much meat all the time. He's getting too heated."
After a long pause, Basalt's dad finally broke the silence, his face serious.
"I… I know."
Basalt's mom nodded. But she felt that just buying vegetables wasn't enough. She needed to buy some oranges, dragon fruit, and other similar fruits to help the boy… cool down.
"Yes~ He should drink more water, too."