"This desert is so vast…how will we even know…when we find them?" Dan said as they trudged the desert.
"They're called Titans for a reason. We'll find them." Jexi said.
After conquering the Orthworm within the mines, the group has travelled to the Asado Desert in order to locate the twin titans known as the Quaking Earth Titans.
"Hey…I…I think I see one." Tenko said as the ground shook as in front of them walked by a large elephant-like creature with incredibly long tusks. "Whoa…it really does look like an ancient Donphan."
"If that one's here, the other can't be far behind." Ginseng said.
"I doubt they're joined at the hip like that." Hope said as they looked at the other side of the area as a large mechanical looking Donphan roamed. "Whoa…it looks like a robot."
"This is really weird, it's like looking at both the past and future of a Pokémon." Ace said.
"But Paldea doesn't have any species like it roaming around." Twilight said.
"Maybe not in the widespread areas." Aelita said looking to the Great Crater. "Area Zero…that's where the Herba Mystica are supposed to come from…maybe that's where these two come from too."
"It is possible." Yuri said. "But for right now, we need to find the Herba Mystica these two are guarding."
"Right. Only one way to do that." Himiko said. "Floragato, attack with Seed Bomb!" she said sending out Floragato as it attacked one of the creatures, provoking both to look at the group with anger as they let out angry roars.
"Now we just made them mad." David said. "Swampert, help her out!" he said as he sent out Swampert.
"They're both definitely Ground Types. So Water and Grass is our best bet." Twilight said.
"Right. Floragato, Magical Leaf!" Himiko said as magical leaves ravaged both titans.
"Now, Surf!" David said.
The Donphan with large tusks was greatly damaged by both types while the mechanical Donphan flinched from the Water type move.
"Weird…Grass didn't do as much damage to the future one. Must have Steel Type traits." Twilight said.
"Most likely. It would make sense if that was the case." David said. "In that case, I'll need to try something. Hope you've got coverage for this, Himiko. Earthquake!"
The ground shook underneath the robotic Donphan as it was greatly damaged by the attack.
"Huh, guess Ground types with Steel as their secondary are weak to Ground type moves." Al said.
"Well, of course. Steel is weak to Ground, after all." David said.
The mechanical looking Donphan let out a cry as it curled into a ball and rolled right into the wall of a rock formation, breaking it open.
"Hey, sorry I'm late but…" Arven said, arriving as he looked at the two. "No way…they look…just like in the books…The Great Tusk…and the Iron Treads."
"That's what they're called?" Balthus asked.
"According to explorers anyway. They're monsters from Area Zero." Arven said.
"We thought as much." Yuri said. "But let's save the chitchat for later."
"Sorry I'm late!" Rutega would call as she rushed into view on Koraidon. "What'd I miss?"
"Us about to face two massive monsters. Now go, Scovillain!" Arven said sending out a plant like Pokémon with two pepper heads.
"Bzzt! Scovillain, the Spicy Pepper Pokémon and the evolved form of Capsakid! A Grass and Fire Type! The red head converts spicy chemicals into fire energy and blasts the surrounding area with a super spicy stream of flame." Rotomphone said.
"Interesting. I think Aubin and I will join in too." Yuri said before whistling as Aubin the Corviknight was seen flapping his wings down to the group.
"Sounds fun! Let's do this, Iron Valiant!" Rutega said, bringing out the robotic fusion of Gardevoir and Gallade to help.
Both Pokémon powered up from the herbs as they went on the warpath and rampaged towards the group.
Twin Titans of Quaking Earth
Great Tusk & Iron Treads
Cue: Breaking Through It All - Sonic Frontiers OST
"Rutega, both these guys are Ground types, but Great Tusk is Half Fighting and Iron Treads is half Steel." Adora said. "That said, I think you already know which one to aim for."
"Yeah! I can aim for both with Super effective moves! Alright Iron Valiant, Psyshock Great Tusk, then fire an Aura Sphere at Iron Treads!" Rutega smiled.
"This'll be fun! Aubin, take to the skies and dive down with Drill Peck towards the Great Tusk!" Yuri said as Aubin flew straight up into the sky before swooping down and began spinning like a drill.
"Floragato, help him out with Magical Leaf!" Himiko said as both she and Yuri attacked the monstrous Great Tusk together with Iron Valiant before it fell.
"One more to go. We haven't used this one in a while. Mud Shot!" David said.
Swampert blasted mud at Iron Treads, but the massive metal monster could still go as it rolled right into Swampert, sending it flying.
"Damn, this thing is very sturdy." David said.
"And not hindered by the desert sand at all." Adora said, seeing it roll over the dunes easily. "They don't call it Iron Treads for nothing."
"It just needs a good dish of pummeling! Close Combat!" Rutega ordered Iron Valiant as the Fairy/Fighting type began pummeling Iron Treads with hefty blows!
Iron Treads came to a halt as it hit a rock formation before powering down.
"Looks like that takes care of both of them." Arven said. "Now let's nab the Herba Mystica before they come to."
(End song)
They hurried into the cave where inside was the Sour Herba Mystica.
"Yes…this is it." Arven said. "Now…we eat." he said as they set up their picnic spot as he made sandwiches with the new Herba Mystica.
"Guess it's time for these two to eat as well." David said, looking to Koraidon and Miraidon. Both of them were given the sandwiches as they ate, regaining the ability to glide through the air.
"Sweet!" David said.
"Niiiice!" Rutega said with a smile.
"Hmm…they continue to regain their strength…yet neither of them will even go into their battle forms." Arven said.
"The only time we've ever seen them in those forms was during the Houndour attack." Adora said.
"And yet, Zacian doesn't seem to know anything about them." David said.
"It doesn't know about them cause both of them are species only discovered in Area Zero." Arven said.
"The place I went to get Iron Valiant…" Rutega said.
"Are… Are you serious? Those two are actually from Area Zero?" David asked.
"Yes. I've been there before because my parents are the researchers studying it. It's also where Mabosstiff got seriously hurt." Arven said.
"...I see. Then why are other people forbidden to go there? I got a small scolding from Clive about that when he overheard I went there…" Rutega said, assuming it was okay to talk with Arven about it since he's been there.
"Because it's extremely dangerous. The terrain and the Pokémon living there. It's blocked off because my parents, Professors Sada and Turo, are the lead researchers studying its unique properties. No one is allowed down there without permission. After what happened with Mabosstiff, I can see why." Arven said as he fed Mabosstiff.
"Then isn't it dangerous for them too?" Al asked.
"That wouldn't matter to researchers. They would risk their lives to increase their studies." Twilight said.
"Still…these two not being able to take on their battle forms…it must be a mental block. Something happened to those two down there that's keeping them from regaining their battle forms." Arven said.
"It definitely bears investigating, but it's best to wait until the others are finished with their own tasks, that way we all can go together." Yuri said.
"Oh, that reminds me. Will it be okay if I made a quick stop to Montenevera on the way to the last Titan?" David asked.
"Montenevera? Why would you want to go there?" Arven asked.
"I've been wanting to test Shun'ei on…a little something." David said.
"It's fine. The last Titan will be at Casseroya Lake. Not too far from that town." Arven said.
"Got it. I'll get there as soon as I finish up my business." David said.
"The final Titan… the False Dragon." Bow said. "With a name like that, it's gotta be the biggest and baddest of the whole bunch."
"All the more to be prepared for what comes." Ace said.
"One more titan…just one more…" Arven said.