Sandy choice

“You got to be joking.”
Kurai smiled excited. “We just take the adventure head on!” Pointing at the frigging sandstorm ahead of them. “We could take the train.”

“Oh the train is boring.” Kurai chuckled and already started packing his stuff. Making sure everything they could need on the trip. Pesky was not happy.

Frida and Haruki on the other hand, had a lot of fun. Kurai had been smart enough to bring a few toys with snacks. After all they had to keep them busy until they started their journey.
“The train would take less time. Be less dang-”
“BORING!”
Pesky sighed. Looking at Kurai's stuff. Then back to the destination in front of them. “And we want to go to Thunderdale, don't we?”
“Yeah, but not through the Sandstorm!”

“Of course through it.” Kurai said with an excited gleam in his eyes. Haruki looked up at his trainer, who already looked for more words to just get a different outcome. But it was quite insane. So there was no chance to convince Kurai. But there was something he'd expect before he could even entertain that idea. “Why do you not want the train?” “It's boring. It's much mo-” “No.” Pesky looked at him. Kurai stopped his packing for a moment and looked back. “What no? It's totally bor-” “That is not the reason. Give me the real reason.” Kurai chuckled nervously. “I don't know what you mean.”
Pesky groaned, letting his shoulders hang.
“If you don't fucking tell me, I take the damn train!”
Kurai blinked and looked at him. For a moment pondering, but then saw Frida climb up on his shoulder. She grew bored already with the toy. Haruki on the other hand was no trying to get everything from it. No more sharing needed. Kurai gave a sigh and sat down. “You heard the talks.”
“Some stupid cynic people. Why would that change anything?”
“We can't risk that.”
“We can risk a sandstorm?!”
Kurai nod. “Much safer. You know I have experience with them. I can tell you the sandstorm is safer.”
Pesky looked at him. Blinking dot eyes on his visor. “Come on please. I get you some googles for your..well googles and visor. And rest we put some scarfs and caps on!”
Pesky looked at him for a moment, then sighed.

“You know you don't wanna drive the train alone. If something happens.”

Slumped shoulders, he grabbed his bag. He wasn't really set up for a whole trip through a sandstorm. Neither was Haruki. But Kurai evidently had packed for both. Already giving the eevee some googles and a cape to make sure he wouldn't be hurt. Frida had some too. Neither of the Pokemon were too happy about it, but they behaved. Pesky looked at the googles and scarf Kurai handed him with a grin. “I even got a lot of water and a desert tent for the worst case.” “Kurai the worst case is we die...” “Okay, for the second to last worst case.”
Pesky sighed again and then nod.

Following after Kurai who headed onward.

More than excited for a big adventure.

And a big adventure it clearly was becoming.

They pushed forward through the sand. The storm in the distance, but coming ever closer. Kurai grinned and chuckled, as another breeze almost uprooted Pesky. Holding onto Haruki, to at least if they got flown away, be together. But Kurai grabbed him last minute. Frida around his neck, holding on just as much for dear life as the rest. Only Kurai really enjoyed the whole ordeal.

“Come on!” “That was the fifth time I almost flew away!” Pesky shouted back and Kurai looked at him. For a moment thinking, then pulling Pesky closer. “Hold onto me!” Pesky huffed, stuffing Haruki into his jacket at his chest, so he could hold onto Kurai better. Haruki was very happy to finally be in a more save space. At least less sand got close to him.

Kurai rummaged through his own bag, after pulling it off, shielding Pesky from the sand as much as he could.

Pulling out a rope with a grin.

“Now hold still.”
“Very funny!” Pesky grunted, but made sure Kurai could tie the rope around his waist as easily as possible. Before tying it around his own waist.

“Alright, time to proceed.”
Pesky grumbled, but followed after him. At least now save to not get pulled away by the breeze. “Don't worry! We won't directly go through! But a bit to the side of the middle of it!” shouted Kurai over the roaring storm. “That is still considered going through!”

Kurai smiled amused as they kept going. He hoped that the map he had memorized would be enough. And that they wouldn't loose their way.

It was a bit hard.
A glance to the compass.

Still seemed fine.

Frida snuggled up more to him and he pet her briefly, before pushing forward. Feeling how he had to pull Pesky a bit with him. The boy really tried to be lazy. Bad luck for him that Kurai had not much trouble going ahead. He would've tried flying, if the storm hadn't already taken some down. He looked around and noticed a few rocks peaking out of the sand. “Lets make a brief stop there!” he shouted back and Pesky flashed him a thumb up on his screen. Before pushing himself forward. The sand fighting him a lot.

They got the safety of the rocks.

Kurai pulling up a bit of the tent material over them so they could take off the googles and cover. Haruki yawned, staying comfy in Pesky's jacket. While Frida tried her best to get as much sand out of her fur as possible. Which made the cover of the tent material almost useless.

At least it wasn't as sharp and aggressive.

Kurai chuckled, pulling down his scarf. “If I remember right we are almost halfway there.”
“Half way not even reached?” Pesky whined and slumped down more. Kurai chuckled and pulled him close. “Don't worry, here.” He handed him a bottle of water. Opening one himself and letting Frida have a few sips. Pesky eyed the bottle and grumbled. “If I am to die in the sand, I hope I become some terrifying monster to haunt idiots like you.”
“So even more people die?” Kurai grinned amused. “That is pretty cruel.” “I like being cruel.” Pesky huffed. “And I would haunt them by dancing. I think that is very funny.”

Kurai chuckled and took a sip.

Relaxing a bit more, as they recharged. Just to dare and go through the storm again. Pesky had not been fond of going but staying was much worse.

Following after Kurai, the way was a lot easier after the second rest they took. It had not been as difficult. And Pesky was much more motivated after hearing they had less than half left to do. Kurai almost had trouble keeping up. Only tied together by the rope. Pesky was basically pulling him along the last half.

Thunderdale had to get ready for them.