Nineteen: The Titan of the Cliffs

Elaina's phone began to ring, and Rotom gleefully leapt from her pocket. As Elaina answered she heard the rumblings of falling rock. "Holy shit, 'Layna, 'Mara," It was Arven. "Where are you? Shit's gone sideways and I need help. I'm dropping my location. Hurry!" Elaina was on her feet faster than she thought possible. A second later she was tossing Miraidon from its Pokéball and Elaina, Nemona and Miraidon were on their way eastward.

"Come on, Vi. He needs a hero." Miraidon let out a roar and started moving faster. The sprint was short-lived, but Miraidon was able to keep a decent speed as it moved across the plains. Nemona had her arms wrapped around Elaina's waist as they rode. "What do you think we're rolling into?" Nemona called as Miraidon rolled up to the gates of Mesagoza.

"Odds are Arven found the titan Pokémon and wasn't prepared for it to find him. You ready to give 'em hell?" She and Nemona opened the gate to Mesagoza and the ttwo climbed back onto Miraidon and made their way to the eastern gate. As they opened the gate and rolled out into the cliffs, they found Koraidon waiting for them.

"Where is he, Koko?" Elaina asked as Koraidon turned and ran off. Miraidon got the signal and followed. After a few minutes they found Arven stuck under a rock. "Hey, ladies. You wanna get my rocks off? Seriously though I'm in a lot of pain…" Elaina hopped off of Miraidon then Koraidon and Miraidon lifted the boulder from Arven's body long enough for him to crawl free. "Holy shit, you three. I was not prepared for that encounter. The Klawf was the size of one of the damn cliffsides."

Elaina and Nemona nodded, and Elaina called out for Amara. You wanna help him out? You're kinda the one who wins Pokémon battles. She asked. After a few seconds, the response came. Yeah, look at the light that reflects off of your gym badge. Amara echoed. Elaina pulled her badge from her bag and turned it so it glittered in the sun. After a few seconds her head went limp, and Amara looked around at everyone.

"So, the titan Pokémon moniker was a little on the nose, huh, Arven?" she asked as she tossed Meowscarada from his ball. "We'll back you up. Can you stand?" Arven flexed his legs for a moment before standing. "Good. Let's find a giant Klawf." Koraidon knelt down and Arven climbed on. Miraidon did the same for Amara and Nemona, and the group made their way north.

"I saw the thing climbing north along the cliffside before that rock fell on me. We should run into it soon." Arven called from a few paces ahead. Amara was keeping watch along the left cliff as they rode through the valley. Nemona confirmed she was watching the right side as they continued. Meowscarada was sitting backwards, with razor leaves in hand. "Oh, shit!" Arven yelled as Koraidon ground to a halt. Amara, Nemona, and Meowscarada leapt from Miraidon as they rounded the bend to catch up.

"That's a big fucking Kwalf." Amara noted as Meowscarada took position to attack. Arven tossed Coloyster from its ball and Nemona sent out Quaquaval. The three trainers looked back and forth at one another before Nemona called out "All out barrage! Quaquaval, Aqua Step." Quaquaval moved forward to deliver a powerful kick infused with water. Amara shouted "Meowscarada, Flower Trick!" And Meowscarada tossed one of its exploding flowers at Kwalf. Arven followed up with a "Coloyster, hydro pump!" Coloyster immediately launched a torrent of water at the Kwalf.

After the three direct hits, the Kwalf leapt to the ground and bored a hole into the cliffside. "Is that the Herba Mystica?" Arven shouted as the three trainers moved into position to keep battling. Meowscarda struck first with a powerful Flower Trick to the top of the Kwalf's head, then Quaquaval unleashed a powerful Double Kick as Coloyster pumped out another torrent of water. "One more hit should do it. Meowscarada, Flower Trick. Bring it down!"

Meowscarada leapt onto Kwalf's back and pulled out a flower. He stuck it into the gap between the Kwalf's armor plates and leapt from the creature's back. As he leapt, he clapped, and the flower exploded. Kwalf groaned and fell to the ground, fainted. Meowscarda took position next to Amara. "Hold, let's make sure it's down." She called. The others took position to wait. After about a minute, they recalled their Pokémon and made their way into the cave.

"That's the Herba Mystica alright." Arven's excitement was palpable as he plucked the plant from its vine. "There's enough here for six servings. I'm going to get set up. Who's hungry?" Amara and Nemona raised their hands, and Koraidon and Miraidon both voiced their excitement. "Looks like I'm cooking it all." Arven muttered as he set up his cook kit. Nemona and Amara sat on a rock a few paces away as Arven cooked. "So, where are you off to next, Amara, The Artazon gym?" Amara nodded.

"Elaina is going to want to meet up with Penny in Artazon, and since that's our next gym anyhow it seems to be as good of a next stop as any. Have you heard from Trish or Allie?" She pulled her vape from her bag and took a hit.

"Trish is up in North Province touring apartments, Allie's down south. She told me she found a sealed door down there and is looking for a way to open it." Amara offered Nemona her vape, but Nemona turned her down. "I don't vape, 'Mara. You don't have to offer it to me every time you pull it out." Amara let the vapor float out of her nostrils while giving Nemona a thumbs-up. After another couple minutes, Arven motioned everyone over. In front of him sat six sandwiches, each adorned with Herba Mystica. Koraidon and Miraidon were each given a sandwich, and after eating it both seemed to get a massive boost in power. Arven offered sandwiches to Amara and Nemona, and after a few moments all of the trainers were happily munching.

"Arven, it's so good I might cry." Nemona announced between bites. The three of them finished eating and stood. "What are you going to do with the last sandwich?" Amara asked. Arven pulled out some parchment paper. "I'm going to save it for later. Y'all can head out if you want." Arven's phone rang and his rotom leapt from his pocket.

"Hello?" Arven answered as the video feed came into view. An older man and woman both stood next to each other. Arven's eyes widened. "Mom, Dad? To what do I owe the pleasure?" he said sarcastically. The voice on the other end was crackly, but Amara heard the woman ask about Koraidon and Miraidon. Arven rolled his eyes and recounted that yes, they were alright, and they did just get a power boost, and yes, Miraidon was in the care of his friends Elaina and Amara. And after double checking with Amara for approval, gave his father Amara and Elaina's phone number. Then after very few pleasantries, the call was over.

"That sounded like it sucked." Amara muttered. "Are you also in the shitty parent club? If so, I'll collect your membership dues and you'll get a novelty patch and a Casteliacone." Arven looked at her, puzzled. She took a second to think, then recalled, "You met Elaina's dad. He's only a shitty mafia don when I'm out and driving the body. More than once I've wondered if he's like us, but no dice." Arven shrugged.

"Dad is going to probably talk to you mostly about Miraidon, honestly. He and mom haven't been very personable in quite a while." Amara offered Arven her vape and he took a long hit. "Appreciate it." He said as he handed it back. Amara tucked it into her bag. "Anyway, you two are on your way to Artazon? Better get moving."

Amara nodded and she, Miraidon, and Nemona headed out of the cave. "Are you coming with me to Artazon, Nemona?" Amara asked. Nemona shook her head. "I'm going north to find Trish and see how she's doing. I'll be back in a few days and meet you in Levincia." She turned and started to jog away. "Catch you later, 'Mara!"