"Okay, these are all Pokémon more suited for me. Aoki, don't worry about it," Steven said.
Aoki waved his hand dismissively. It would be best if Steven took his advice, but if not, it wouldn't affect him significantly. The truth was that Aoki currently lacked the resources to train so many Pokémon simultaneously, though several had caught his interest. Unlike Steven, who came from a wealthy family with abundant resources, Aoki had to plan carefully. While he now owned a small mine, it paled in comparison to the vast mineral wealth controlled by Steven's family.
The wild Pokémon inhabiting the outskirts of the desert region remained relatively weak. With Steven's Anorith and Lileep, combined with Aoki's Marshtomp and Poliwhirl, their team possessed more than enough strength to handle any threats. Aoki noted that Steven's Anorith had the Battle Armor ability; had it been Swift Swim instead, it might have synergized better with Aoki's water-type Pokémon. Still, maintaining rain conditions in the arid desert environment proved challenging regardless.
Occasionally, a few Drilbur emerged from the sand dunes ahead, though they showed no aggression. Ground-type Pokémon like Drilbur tended toward docility. However, more aggressive species soon appeared - a pack of Sandile standing defiantly across their path, accompanied by several evolved Krokorok. The crocodilian Pokémon stood like highway bandits demanding tolls from travelers.
Seeing this as perfect training opportunities, neither trainer considered avoidance. Anorith took point as the frontline fighter while Poliwhirl, Marshtomp and Lileep provided ranged support with supereffective water and grass-type attacks that devastated the opposing Sandile pack. This strategic advantage was precisely why Aoki had chosen the Hoenn Desert - the abundance of ground and rock-types created ideal conditions for water-type specialists.
Though water energy remained scarce in the environment, limiting move efficiency, Aoki carried ample Pokeblocks to restore his team's stamina. Anorith and Lileep required no such assistance, thriving in the rocky desert terrain. As a dual rock/grass-type, Lileep could deal massive damage to desert-dwelling species.
The Sandile proved more numerous than anticipated. Each defeated group summoned reinforcements emerging from the sands until Marshtomp couldn't knock them out faster than new opponents appeared.
"We've hit a crocodile nest! How many are there? We just entered the desert!" Steven complained, overwhelmed by the sea of reptilian eyes surrounding them.
"Sandile are highly social, pack-oriented Pokémon," Aoki reminded him. "We're lucky only juveniles have appeared so far. Keep fighting - opportunities are rare!"
Even as he spoke, Aoki directed Poliwhirl and Marshtomp to intensify their assault. Though frustrated, Steven recognized their advantage - as Elite level trainers, they could easily handle these low-level threats. But after thirty minutes of continuous combat against over a hundred Sandile, with Krokorok joining the fray in increasing numbers, exhaustion set in despite Pokeblock support.
"Did we aggro every Sandile in Hoenn?" Steven gasped between commands as his Pokémon showed visible fatigue.
"Just the local population," Aoki corrected. "Poliwhirl - Rain Dance at full power! Marshtomp, cover him!"
He sent out his Floette to set up Grassy Terrain, extending their stamina. Poliwhirl strained to summon rainclouds in the arid climate, producing only a light drizzle that evaporated on contact with the parched earth. Yet this minor precipitation represented a breakthrough in water-type energy manipulation. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ n̷o̷v̷e̷l̷f̷i̷r̷e̷.net
The faint rainfall transformed the battlefield, granting Aoki's water-types homefield advantage. Marshtomp and Poliwhirl fought with renewed synergy, their combo attacks flowing seamlessly despite the absence of Aron and Combusken.
Watching their rain-enhanced performance, Steven's eyes gleamed with appreciation. "Anorith! Lileep! Don't let them show us up!" he cried, rejoining the fray.
The precipitation accelerated water move execution while boosting their power. However, maintaining the fragile rain conditions required Poliwhirl's constant attention, forcing intermittent pauses to reinforce the weather effect.
Whether due to the weather or reaching the local population limit, Sandile reinforcements slowed dramatically. Some even retreated underground upon sensing the unnatural rain. This allowed Marshtomp to decisively thin their numbers, including several Krokorok. Thankfully no Krookodile appeared - that would have exceeded their current capabilities.
Their efforts bore fruit when Aoki's Marshtomp gained two levels (now 23) and Poliwhirl rose to 26, though maintaining the Rain Dance had left it exhausted. Steven's Anorith and Lileep also showed noticeable improvement from the extended battle.
The entire confrontation demonstrated how environmental adaptation could shift battle dynamics, while highlighting the trainers' ability to overcome unfavorable conditions through strategy and perseverance. Both teams emerged stronger, having turned a potential crisis into valuable experience that would serve them well in future challenges. The desert had tested their limits, and they had proven equal to its harsh demands.