Amid the swirling sandstorm, two faint white targets appeared in the distance.
Marowak steadied itself, aiming carefully before launching a Bone Club attack. The energy-infused projectile shot out, visibly gaining intensity as it traveled through the sandstorm. However, it missed the moving target.
"Hmm," Rax analyzed, "the power has increased thanks to the sandstorm, but the slower launch speed is affecting accuracy."
Marowak nodded in understanding, already processing the need for improvement.
"Don't worry," Rax reassured. "We'll work on hitting moving targets consistently in varying sandstorm intensities. But that's not the main focus for now."
Marowak tilted its head in confusion.
"The bone boomerang technique—once you master that, you'll dominate in sandstorm conditions!"
---
Rax and Marowak trained until precisely 6:00 PM, emerging from the sandstorm training room as their time ended.
Outside, Lola waited, masked and looking determined.
"The training room is all yours until 6:00 AM tomorrow," Rax said, handing her the access card without further discussion.
"Thanks!" Lola replied quickly before slipping into the room, avoiding eye contact.
Rax raised an eyebrow but shrugged it off, heading out for dinner with Marowak.
Inside, Lola leaned against the wall, her heart racing.
"Why am I acting like this? It must be skiploom's influence!" she muttered, refusing to admit her embarrassment. She then released her Pokémon and immersed herself in training.
---
That evening, Rax returned to his room, where his team eagerly awaited their meal.
Beldum, having been cooped up all day, zoomed around the room excitedly. It bumped into Marowak playfully, stuck close to skiploom, and even challenged Rax to a headbutting contest, which Rax quickly forfeited.
"Fine, fine, you win," Rax laughed, changing the subject.
Later that night, Rax drifted off to sleep, dreaming once again of the moon. The cracks in his spiritual world were nearly gone, and the patterns on the moon grew clearer. He felt confident that full recovery—and the return of the mysterious voice—was near.
---
At 6:00 AM, Rax met Lola at the training room. Her eyes were dark and tired, evidence of a sleepless night.
"You can use it again tonight if you'd like," Rax offered. "No extra charge."
Startled, Lola quickly handed over payment for another night.
"See you later!" she muttered before hurrying off.
skiploom, watching her retreating figure, released a calming Aromatherapy, but Lola only trembled and ran faster.
"Maybe she's afraid of Grass-types," Rax speculated, patting skiploom to console it.
skiploom extended two tiny hands, its round eyes full of expectation.
"Fine, one jar of sweets," Rax said.
"Pluff!" skiploom spun happily, giggling like a weightless balloon.
---
The next two days followed a similar pattern. During the day, Rax trained tirelessly with Marowak in the sandstorm. skiploom, initially enthusiastic, quickly sought refuge in the observation lounge after realizing the harsh conditions. From there, it watched Rax and Marowak with admiration, supporting them with Aromatherapy and Grassy Terrain during breaks.
At night, Lola would quietly take over the training room, though she began to grow more reserved around Jumpluff.
By the end of the third day, Lola declared she couldn't continue the night sessions and needed to fix her sleep schedule. She paid for half a day, training until midnight before finally leaving the room for good.
---
Once Lola left, Rax took Marowak back into the training room. After setting up, he activated a sandstorm simulation and began training Marowak's attacks.
Ten minutes in, a layer of sand mysteriously covered the surveillance cameras.
At that moment, Rax pulled out a mini laptop. Within seconds, the footage on the cameras resumed, displaying pre-recorded footage of Marowak's daytime training.
"Perfect," Rax murmured, satisfied with his workaround.
Marowak, standing nearby, watched patiently as Rax prepared beldum for its turn in the sandstorm.
---
The following morning, Rax returned the access card and headed to the city's gym. Along the way, he pondered the benefits of the training room and considered becoming a member of a five-star hotel chain. The convenience—and the ability to train beldum openly—would make it worthwhile.
Arriving at the Sandstorm Competition venue, Rax completed his registration and settled in the waiting area. Though the shops and stalls along the way were already bustling, the streets were relatively quiet, with only competitors preparing for the preliminary round.
Rax waited calmly, ready for the challenges ahead.