1. Ash's Story (Part 10: Galar)

Chapter 50: Stone in the Storm

The road after Bermingsteel brought us back toward the Wild Area, where the sky had already turned brown with sand. The wind struck before we fully left the transport point, rattling signs, tugging at jackets, and turning every distant shape into a rough outline.

I pulled my cap lower while Pikachu crouched against my shoulder. After polished Bermingsteel, the sandstorm felt almost rude, but the Wild Area had never cared whether travelers were ready for its moods. It simply changed and expected us to learn.

Alice shielded her eyes as Rapidash stood close, mane glowing through the dust. "Rock-type Job day in a sandstorm. That feels intentional."

"Or Galar has a sense of humor," Gloria said, holding Raboot's scarf closer.

Flora looked at the sky and grimaced. "I prefer weather that lets leaves stay leaves."

Helen kept Swirlix close after yesterday's capture, while Appletun stayed safely tucked near her side. Elena checked Feebas's tank cover, making sure no grit could slip inside. Gloria's Toxel rode in her arms, tense but alert whenever lightning-like static flickered through the brown air.

Silicobra's Poké Ball shook lightly at my belt.

I looked down, already knowing what that meant. "The sandstorm is calling you too, huh?"

Pikachu braced one paw against my collar, eyes narrowed into the wind, "Some Pokémon hear weather like a drum under the ground."

I nodded. "Then we listen before we decide."

The academy job board opened on Alice's Rotom Phone after several failed attempts through the grit. Six Rock-type jobs appeared, each written like the sandstorm had chosen the lesson before we did.

Rondo Floral needed rough Rock-type Pokémon to keep rocky-terrain plants company. Bob's Your Uncle wanted rock-solid Pokémon to gather rock salt. DEFOG needed extremely hard rocks for grinding and polishing lenses. Galar Minerals wanted Rock types to handle large rocks in the mining area.

Timburr Builders asked for help with falling rock hazards. Macro Cosmos Energy requested powerful Pokémon good with rocky terrain, even if they might get zapped by electricity. That last request needed thirty Pokémon, and the number made it the clearest full practical.

Gloria looked from the listing to Toxel. "Electricity at a Rock Job? That sounds dangerous."

"Controlled dangerous," Alice said. "Maybe."

The job board stayed open long enough for us to read every listing twice. Rondo Floral, Bob's Your Uncle, DEFOG, Galar Minerals, and Timburr Builders all sounded useful, but narrower.

Macro Cosmos Energy was different. The request mentioned possible electric shocks, which made Gloria frown, but the attached safety file clarified insulated equipment and controlled discharge posts. No Pokémon would be asked to take real injury for convenience.

"That distinction matters," Alice said after reading the file.

"It better," Gloria said, still holding Toxel protectively.

I read the final request again. "Macro Cosmos Energy is the best fit. Big team, rocky terrain, and enough room for a Max Rockfall demonstration."

Helen tilted her head. "It also gives Gloria's Toxel a reason to be careful around electricity without letting the Electric-type lesson take over the whole practical."

Gloria held Toxel a little closer. "You hear that? Careful. Not dramatic."

Toxel blinked up at her, cheeks twitching with tiny sparks.