"So here we are once again exploring unknown lands and…falling rocks." Himiko said as some of the group took cover as boulders were rolling down the mountainside.

"Whoa! Look at all these boulders!" Trish said.

"Where the heck are they all even coming from?" Adora asked.

"I'm guessing from big bird over there." Jexi said, pointing to the large bird dropping the boulders.

"Bzzt! Bombirdier, the Item Drop Pokémon! A Flying and Dark Type! It gathers things up in an apron made from shed feathers added to the Pokémon's chest feathers, then drops those things from high places for fun." Rotomphone said.

"Well, this one seems to be having a blast." David said. "God, that one sounded corny…"

"The lair containing the next Herba Mystica must be on top of this mountain." Adora said. "But how are we supposed to get up there with all these boulders falling?"

"I could use Aetherial Pulse to protect us, but there is still the matter of the avian Pokémon swooping down on us." Y'shtola said.

Rutega, who had rejoined the group, had an idea. "I could send out Lucario to deal with the boulders, and use my newly evolved lightning guy to help fight it."

"Or better yet, maybe Rutega and I can drive Koraidon and Miraidon up the mountain to spook it. That should give you all clearing to catch up." David said.

"That sounds even better." Rutega nodded, mounting Koraidon. "Whenever you're ready, David!"

"Ready as I'll ever be. Let's go, Miraidon! Full Throttle!" David said.

"Go, Koraidon! Pedal to the Metal!" Rutega exclaimed.

Both Pokemon raced up the mountain, using their newly regained speed to charge right through and avoid all the incoming boulders the titan was dropping. As soon as they got up to the top, that's when the titanic Item Drop Pokémon got spooked and swooped down for a confrontation, screeching as it flapped in place, ready for a battle.

The Open Sky Titan

Bombirdier

(Cue- VS Titan Pokémon- Pokémon Scarlet/Violet)

"Let's get to it, Skarmory!" David said as he sent out his Skarmory.

"Pawmot, let's light it up!" Rutega said as she brought out a taller looking version of Pawmi, having lighter orange fur with thinner arms and a broader coat, standing on two legs like a human, looking ready for combat.

"Bzzt! Pawmot, the Hands on Pokémon, and the final evolution of Pawmi! An Electric and Fighting Type! This Pokémon normally is slow to react, but once it enters battle, it will strike down its enemies with lightning-fast movements." Rotomphone said.

"Kirlia, you join in too!" Himiko as she caught up and sent out a Kirlia.

"Start it off, little guy! THUNDER PUNCH!" Rutega yelled as Pawmot leapt into the air as lightning coated its paws, as it landed furious blows into Bombirdier, looking similar to a Dragon Ball character in its own right with how intense it was going.

"Now, Fairy Wind!" Himiko said.

"Hey, don't leave me out of this. Steel Wing!" David said.

While Kirlia buffeted Bombirdier with its glittering wind, Skarmory got in close and slashed the stork-like Pokémon with its metal coated wings. Two of its weak points, Electric and Fairy, hit back to back, causing major damage. The Pokémon screeched in defiance as it flew over to the highest point of the mountain just above them.

"It's going for the Herba Mystica!" Adora noted.

"Don't let it escape!" Rutega said as Pawmot hopped on Koraidon with her to pursue.

"Come on!" Hyde said.

The group followed the Titan Bombirder up a short distance as they saw it jab its beak into a weak area of the mountain, exposing the lair of the Herba Mystica.

"The Herba Mystica!" Nuna said, pointing to a dark green herb that Bombirder was eating.

"Once it's done eating that, it's round 2." Bow said.

"Pawmot, you know what to do." Rutega said as her Pokémon nodded in affirmation.

"Hey, guys!" Arven said, running up. "Am I too late?"

"Nope!" Rutega smiled as Bombirdier finished eating and powered up. "Just in time, you got it, Pawmot!"

Pawmot leapt off Koraidon to continue the fight, pounding its paws as it gained electrical charge.

"Let me jump into this Raid Battle! Help 'em out, Nacli!" Arven said, sending out a rock pokemon that had a bit of a rectangular lump of salt growing out of its head.

"Bzzt! Nacli, the Rock Salt Pokemon! A Rock Type! It was born in a layer of rock salt deep under the earth. This species was particularly treasured in the old days, as they would share precious salt." Rotomphone said.

"Try to keep up if ya do! Ready to try that move we were practicing, Pawmot?" Rutega asked as Pawmot nodded. "Alright then, go for it!"

Pawmot nodded as it jumped up, looking like Thunder Punch round 2… but it was different this time.

"THUNDERING CLOSE COMBAT!" Rutega yelled as Pawmot unleashed Thunder Punch combined with the might of Close Combat on the Item Drop Titan.

"Get ready, Skarmory! Flash Cannon!" David said.

"Now, finish it up with Moonblast!" Himiko said.

"And just for good measure, I'll toss in a Smack Down!" Arven said.

All three attacks converged onto the large bird before taking it down as it collapsed onto the mountain side.

"Looks like our combo did it. Let's snag the Herba Mystica before it comes to." Arven said.

They headed on inside where they saw the herbs set up inside.

"No doubt…this is the Bitter Herba Mystica." Arven said.

"Which means we cleared another titan battle…which of course…means it's time to eat." Himiko said.

"Of course." Arven said as the picnic spot was quickly set up as he started making sandwiches. While he was making them, Koraidon and Miraidon popped out of their balls and eyed up Arvens craft.

"Hm? What's up, Miraidon? Do you want some too?" David asked.

"Looks like Koraidon feels the same." Rutega said.

"Very well. Luckily I made extra for the brutes." Arven said.

"Brutes?" Natyal asked.

"Don't take it too personally, remember, his parents are Pokémon Professors who are probably obsessed with these two." Adora reminded.

"Probably for all the wrong reasons." David said as he fed Miraidon his sandwich. "I mean… I can kind of understand why, but… I don't know. You'd think they'd take some time off for other things."

"When it comes to researchers, sometimes the priority of their research takes first with everything else pushed to second." Twilight said.

With that, the group started digging into their own meals as both Koraidon and Miraidon regained their lost abilities of swimming before looking to a sandwich left on the table as they moved for it.

"That is not for you!" Arven declared suddenly as the two dragons backed off.

"Whoa…dial it back a little." Jexi said. "What's gotten into you?"

"Hmm…I suppose it's time I explained." Arven said as he took out a Pokéball and tossed it as out came a large black dog.

"Bzzt! Mabosstiff, the Boss Pokémon and the evolved form of Maschiff! A Dark Type! Mabosstiff loves playing with children. Though usually gentle, it takes on an intimidating look when protecting its family." Rotomphone said.

"This Mabosstiff is my partner. We've been together as long as I can remember. One day though, something bad happened and he got seriously hurt. Nothing so far has worked to help him, not even Pokémon Centers can treat him right." Arvan said.

"So that's why you're gathering the Herba Mystica." Yuri said.

"That's right. I've read that each one has amazing healing qualities. If I get Mabostiff to eat all 5… maybe it'll be back in shape." Arven said. "It's the reason why I sorta fell behind. I was feeding a Sweet Herba Mystica Sandwich to him."

"And did it work?" Adora asked.

"I finally felt warmth coming from his paws after so long." Arven said.

"That's a good sign, I take it." Trish said.

"Now…let's see if a second dose will help." Arven said as he broke off part of the sandwich as Mabosstiff slowly ate it. Soon enough after, the dog Pokemon soon slowly opened its eyes. "He opened his eyes! Yes!"

"That's great to see." Rutega smiled as she saw this.

"I'm sure if we find the last 3 Herba Mystica, Mabosstiff will be back to normal." Bow said. "Arven, let's keep on this hunt until your partner is back to his old self!"

"If I knew you guys were this eager to help me, I would never have hid anything from you." Arven smiled. "Alright. There are 3 Locations left where the remaining Herba Mystica might be. The den of the Quaking Earth Titan isn't far off from here, but unfortunately there's a Team Star Base nearby."

"No worries. We know just who to call." David said as he called up the comms. "Hello, Mayumi? Can you hear me?"

"Yeah. We're currently planning the raid of the next base." Mayumi said.

"That's great. Because I think the Dark Crew is blocking the way for Shun'ei as well. Can you and the others take care of this?" David asked.

"Funny. That was the crew we were already planning to take on." Mayumi said.

"Works out for everyone, then. I didn't know those guys were that big a roadblock." David said.

"I better get over there then! My Fighting types will blast through those guys!" Rutega exclaimed. "Catch you guys at the next Titan!" She added before dashing off.

"She does know the checkpoint is within walking distance, right?" Ryoma asked.

"I just wanna ride Koraidon, give me a breaaaak!" Rutega exclaimed back as Koraidon carried her further off into the West province.

"While we're waiting for Mark's team to dismantle the Team Star blockade barring our way towards the Quaking Earth Titan, why don't we kill time by scoping out the den of one of the others?" Bow recommended.

"Actually…instead of the Quaking Earth Titan…we should go for the Lurking Steel Titan instead." Adora said.

"All the way on the other side of the region?" Kaede asked.

"I don't see the harm in it." Adora said.

"Besides, there are flying taxis that can take us to places we've been." Twilight said.

"All right…we'll call one up and head over there as soon as possible." Jexi said. "For now…we'll explore what the area has to offer."