Howard talked a lot of sense, and Oscar would nod along as he shared some of his philosophy. Oscar agreed with everything he said, though he had a differing perspective on the temporary nature of their struggles. Oscar fully intended to one day figure out a way to live forever, so that he could continue to influence the world for eternity. Perhaps his current struggles will mean very little, but Oscar wanted to be around to create new imprints in time until time itself finally ceased.

He would keep this to himself though; in his experience the search for immortality tended to create a lot of debate that Oscar did not feel mentally prepared to partake in currently. Plus he did not want to seem too crazy to Howard. Not until they were closer anyway. Oscar zoned out as Howard continued to cook, closing his eyes as the sand shifted over their structure. "I just hope this does not set us back too far. Not that it's a big deal, we can just pull up the topsoil again."

From there Oscar silently meditated to the sound of the sandstorm, taking full advantage of their opportunity to rest. His serene trance was abruptly broken by what sounded like a not-too distant roar. Not an ordinary roar mind you, but a deep bellow that seemed as ancient as it was chilling. Oscar's eyes snapped open.

"Did you hear that?"

@howard

"It's a setback. A heavy one, actually." Howard admitted as the pot bubbled. "Sandstorms are common. If we want to keep this place functional, we need to ensure that we're not constantly buried in dunes. Shit. This will likely shred anything we've planted out there."

Blast. He hadn't thought that far ahead. When you think of a sandstorm, it's often on how to survive it. Howard wasn't used to thinking beyond that into what came after. Hell, he didn't even think there would be a before, present, or after. What they were doing now defined common logic.

Not that it mattered. Much defied common logic. Oscar's goals, for one.

"What the..." Howard immediately stood, alert. What the hell was that? A giant Orthworm, maybe? If it was, this entire project was about to collapse in on itself. He turned to Oscar and gestured vaguely. "I don't know what that sound is. Oscar..."

He cautiously walked towards the door, ignoring the pitter patter of sand on steel.

---

oscar clayton

Oscar furrowed his brows as Howard walked toward the slab. "Howard?" Rosco stood up, keeping his back pressed against the makeshift door. It was clear that he had no intention of moving. Oscar slowly stood up as well, "Now is not the time to be doing anything nutty. If you get hurt..."

Whatever confrontation that could have happened would disperse as the unfamiliar roar would ring out once again--this time right above them. The entire shelter shook, putting everyone inside in danger of falling over. Oscar teetered back and forth, his heart falling as the fate of this project--and their lives--was thrust into the hands of the unknown.

Yet as the echoes of the roar faded, and the shelter settled down, Oscar would hear something even more shocking. Or more accurately, not hear. Oscar rose his has and yelled over the hollering of their pokemon. "Shut up, everyone shut the fuck up! Listen!" The pokemon calmed down, allowing everyone to hear--nothing. The sandstorm had stopped.

Oscar pointed at Rosco, "Move!" Rosco indeed stood aside, pulling the metal slab away. Sand did not pour in as Oscar expected, so the confused scientist would step outside. What he discovered was impossible. There was sand piled around them, but the farm and base themselves were untouched. Even their top soil was perfectly safe. Whatever that roaring creature was--did it save them?

Oscar blinked, running his hands through his hair as the bizarre circumstances of this development sank in. Oscar looked to Howard, "I um--I think we should call it here for now."

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howard slayte

"What the..."

The duo and their Pokémon walked out into a paradise hidden between dunes of sand. It was the only place for hundreds of miles where life dared to thrive. It should've been crushed to bits, buried under metric tons of sand. The world had little need to care for the struggles of mankind, nature didn't appreciate attempts to tame it.

Yet here the farm stood.

"..." Howard frowned as he looked into the sky, seeing a streak of cloud disappear over the horizon. "Agreed. Pack up and let's go."

Howard let out a whistle, and a Dugtrio and Excadrill appeared from the dirt. Howard returned them to his Pokeballs, and threw out his Stakataka. The mass of blocks changed shape into a platform. Howard turned to Oscar and gestured.

"Come on, up!"

---

oscar clayton



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