Chapter 11

Now, we've arrived in South Province Area 3, teeming with Pokémon such as Rookidee, Yungoos, as well as some Pokémon we already have. Additionally, we've come across some new Pokémon, including a Rock-type Pokémon called Nacli. Since we don't have one yet, we decide to capture Nacli. To our delight, when Sprigatito manages to weaken Nacli, it undergoes an evolution into its second stage.

Floragato: The Grass Cat Pokemon: Grass Type. Evolve from Sprigatito at LV:16. The hardness of Floragato's fur depends on the Pokémon's mood. When Floragato is prepared to battle, its fur becomes pointed and needle-sharp.

Nacli: The Rock Salt Pokemon: Rock Type. The ground scrapes its body as it travels, causing it to leave salt behind. Salt is constantly being created and replenished inside Nacli's body.

"Nacli's evolution line is interesting because they can possess the ability Purifying Salt," Luke explains.

Intrigued, I inquire, "What does that mean?"

Lucine elaborates, "The Pokémon's pure salt serves as a protective shield against status conditions and reduces the damage taken from Ghost-type moves by half. It's believed that salt, in some theories, has the power to ward off ghosts."

As we continue our journey, we stumble upon two small Fire-type Pokémon engaged in a heated battle.

Serena curiously asks, "What are those Pokémon?"

Observing their fiery moves, I consult the Pokédex and reply, "They're Charcadet, Fire-types, and it appears they have two evolutions."

Serena suggests, "Since they have two evolutions, why don't we try to capture them?"

I enthusiastically agree, and we simultaneously throw our Poké Balls, successfully capturing both Charcadet in the end.

Charcadet: The Fire Child Pokemon: Fire Type. Burnt charcoal came to life and became a Pokémon. Possessing a fiery fighting spirit, Charcadet will battle even tough opponents.

Golly remarks, "Indeed, both of Charcadet's evolutions offer intriguing possibilities. One can become a Psychic Type, while the other becomes a Ghost Type like this one."

I'm taken aback as Golly, the Ghost Type specialist, unexpectedly throws a Poké Ball, summoning a dark blue warrior-like Pokémon with sword-like hands. She introduces, "Meet Ceruledge, one of my trusted partners from the Paldea Region."

Serena expresses her admiration, saying, "Ceruledge looks incredibly cool."

As we continue our journey, we receive a call from Arven. I pick up and inquire, "What's the matter, Arven?"

Arven responds, "Ash and Serena, I assume your other friends are with you too, right? So, from what I can gather, the Stony Cliff Titan likes to lurk somewhere in this rocky area. I had a look around, but I couldn't find any trace of it! Maybe it's way up high on a cliff or something?"

Serena chimes in, "Are you suggesting it might be hanging off a cliff?"

Arven dismisses the idea, saying, "...Nah, that's impossible! I don't think it'd be hiding somewhere that tricky, so don't go falling off any cliffs or anything trying to search it out somewhere too strange."

I assure him, "Don't worry, Arven, we'll be cautious. Thanks for the tip." With that, I end the call, and we decide to continue our exploration.

Luke examines the Rotom Phone and reads aloud, "So here's what it says:

Witnesses claim they've seen a giant stone moving on its own in Area Three of the South Province. And the stone has big swiveling eyestalks?! Perhaps it's a Titan camouflaging itself to catch prey."

Drandon remarks, "A giant stone? That does sound quite mysterious indeed."

As I lean against a rock, I notice the expressions on my friends' faces shift to pure astonishment. Concerned, I inquire, "What's wrong?"

Serena points upwards and stammers, "U-Up there!" I instinctively glance upward and hastily jump out of the way. What on earth?! It's a colossal Pokémon, but it's not a Kingler, as Kingler typically has a long body. This one is incredibly round.

"That's a Klawf! But look at its size... no wonder it's considered a Titan!" Luke exclaims, his amazement mirrored by the rest of us.

"Anyway, we need to try and defeat it. Serena, help me out!" I assert.

"Of course," Serena responds.

"I'll help too," Luke adds, and the other three members of our team agree to provide backup when needed.

We send out Quaxly, Fuecoco, and Bronzong to engage in battle with the massive Klawf. However, it immediately uses a Block attack, preventing any of us from escaping.

"Seems like it's got us trapped," I observe.

"Maybe we should Terastallize!" Serena suggests. The three of us activate our Tera Orbs, each representing our respective types. Quaxly, the Water Type, with a water splash on its head, initiates a Pound attack, but it's halted by the Klawf's Vice Grip. Fuecoco, the Fire Type with a chandelier on its head, uses Ember to help free Quaxly.

"Thanks, Serena," I acknowledge.

"No problem," Serena replies. Meanwhile, Luke has Bronzong, the Steel type with the axe on its head, employ Gyro Ball, but the attack is countered by a Rock Smash.

"Water Gun!" I shout, and Quaxly manages to land a hit. However, before we can continue our assault, the Klawf unexpectedly retreats.

"Hey! Where's it going?" Golly exclaims, puzzled by its sudden departure.

We swiftly recall our Pokémon and rush to the location where the Titan was last seen. Fortunately, Rotom has already marked the Titan's location on the map, allowing us to track it down.

Upon arriving, we observe the Klawf using Rock Smash to unveil a hidden cave. To our astonishment, it appears to be grabbing a particular plant.

"Could that be the Herba Mystica?" Luke speculates.

"That Klawf is actually eating it!" I exclaim as we watch in amazement.

Arven arrives, and his eyes widen in surprise as he asks, "Guys! You found it?!"

Lucine points at the Klawf, confirming, "It's right there." Arven, too, appears shocked. "And THAT thing's the Stony Cliff Titan?! No Klawf has got any business being that big! Is it gonna be even stronger now, after eating those herbs...?"

I offer some reassurance, saying, "I believe we can take it on, Arven. We just have to work together!" We gather our resolve, ready to face the formidable Klawf and its newfound strength, determined to emerge victorious.

Arven enthusiastically joins the battle by sending out his Shellder, ready to take on the massive Klawf. He shouts, "Well, this is looking a little rough. Shellder, let's serve up a helping of defeat - on the half shell!"

I command Quaxly to use Water Gun, dealing some damage to Klawf. However, our opponent retaliates by using Rock Tomb, trapping all four of our Pokémon in tight spaces, and then follows up with Rock Smash, inflicting significant damage.

"Oh no..." Serena utters anxiously, "What are we going to do now?"

To our amazement, Fuecoco and Quaxly start evolving into their second-stage forms: Crocalor and Quaxwell.

Crocalor: The Fire Croc Pokemon: Fire Type. Evolve from Fuecoco at LV:16. The valve in Crocalor's flame sac is closely connected to its vocal cords. This Pokémon utters a guttural cry as it spews flames every which way.

Quaxwell: The Practicing Pokémon: Water Type. Evolve from Quaxly at LV:16. These Pokémon constantly run through shallow waters to train their legs, then compete with each other to see which of them kicks most gracefully.

I quickly consult the Pokédex and inform Serena, "Serena! Crocalor can use Yawn now!"

Serena nods, instructing Crocalor to use Yawn, causing Klawf to fall asleep.

"Now it's only a matter of time before we defeat the Titan!" Arven declares, directing Shellder to use Water Gun while Bronzong employs Gyro Ball.

After dealing more damage, Klawf wakes up and begins to glow, and Luke explains, "The Ability Anger Shell! It's a Shell Smash as an ability!"

"That means its Attack and Speed have been boosted!" Serena realizes.

We decide to continue our assault, and I shout, "Quaxwell, finish it with Low Sweep!" Quaxwell executes the final move, eventually knocking out Klawf. The massive Pokémon gradually shrinks down to its normal size.

"Is that it?" Drandon asks.

"I think so," I reply, taking out a Dusk Ball and tossing it at Klawf, successfully capturing it.

Klawf: The Ambush Pokemon: Rock Type. Klawf hangs upside-down from cliffs, waiting for prey. But Klawf can't remain in this position for long because its blood rushes to its head.

"All right! Look at my little buddy, coming through like a champ!" Arven exclaims. "But these Titan Pokémon are...yeesh. I sure don't like having something so tough out to get me!"

We take note of the cave, and Luke suggests, "I have a feeling that there might be more Herba Mystica in this cave, considering the Titan was eating it."

"You're right," I agree. "Let's explore and see if we can find more." With that, we enter the cave.

The cave's darkness gives way to a surprising sight at its end—numerous Herba Mystica plants. Arven gasps in amazement, exclaiming, "No way! This is one of the Herba Mystica! It's exactly how it looked in the book!"

Golly concurs, saying, "You're right!"

Curious, I decide to pluck a leaf from the plant and taste it, finding it surprisingly sweet. "This is sweet... like candy..."

Arven selects one as well and enthusiastically exclaims, "YES! We actually found one! And it's all thanks to you six!" He then consults the book, "Now then, let's see... What does the book have to say? It says here that the Sweet Herba Mystica is good for gut health and that it helps aid digestion. Says it's great for stomachaches, too, or when you want to stimulate the old appetite!"

Arven mumbles to himself, "Now if I can just get him to eat some..."

Luke inquires, "Did you say something?"

Arven, now eager to demonstrate his culinary skills, declares, "All right! Now it's my turn to show off what I can do. You're about to get a taste of my cooking!"

I suggest, "Maybe we can help as well. Since there are four of us, we should also prepare some for our Pokémon."

We all chip in to prepare the sandwiches, and once we've made a bunch of them, Arven proudly presents his creation, saying, "Here you go! An Arven-original sandwich packed full of herbs! And I'll even give you a badge—y'know, as a thank-you for taking on that Titan Pokémon. I call it a Titan Badge. Made it myself, using a replica of the Gym Badges, see?"

We accept the Titan Badge, appreciating Arven's gesture of gratitude. Rotom captures the moment with a photo, and it becomes clear that if Arven is awarding us badges, we're well on our way to collecting all 18 of them. So far, I've obtained two, and our journey promises more adventures and challenges ahead.

As we enjoy our sandwiches, both Koraidon and Miraidon unexpectedly emerge from their Poké Balls, expressing an apparent interest in the food.

"Argh! What's up with that thing?! It just comes out of its ball on its own whenever it wants?" Arven grumbles in exasperation.

Serena observes, "They probably want some sandwiches as well." She notices Koraidon sniffing at the sandwiches in her hands.

Arven insists, "...Hey now. No. That's not for you."

I, on the other hand, decide to share, breaking the sandwich in half and offering it to Miraidon, while Serena does the same for Koraidon. Both Pokémon eagerly gobble down their portions.

Arven, feeling somewhat miffed, mutters, "Hey! I went through all the trouble of making that for you, and you just give it away?! I hope you realize that's all there was, so now there's none left for you..."

Serena reassures him, "It's fine; we already know how to make them. We can just make these on our own, after all."

Arven's mood lightens as he chuckles, saying, "Aw, come on! Now you're making me feel like I'm the selfish jerk here..."

Suddenly, we watch in amazement as both Koraidon and Miraidon start to glow and then dash out of the cave before re-entering it.

"Hey, be careful with those Herba Mysticas," Luke warns.

"But look at that speed... they can dash now!" I exclaim.

Arven, seemingly perplexed, asks, "Wha—?! Hey, is it me or has this thing sort of...powered up somehow?

"We all saw it as well," I confirm.

Arven cheers, "Whoa! I can't believe it! The power of these herbs really is worth guarding! If they had that big an effect on your Pokémon, then I bet—"

Golly inquires, "Bet what?"

Arven quickly responds, "Uhhh... I bet it'll come in super handy for that Treasure Hunt assignment we've got! Yup! That's what I bet!"

As we finish our meal, Arven expresses his appreciation, saying, "Well, you've both filled your bellies with some of my legendary sandwiches! Guess it's time to tidy everything up..."

Lillie, Luke, and I offer to help clean up the table, but Arven insists, "Oh, don't you worry about helping! After battling the Titan, you've earned a break! Just leave all this to me! Though I'd be much obliged if you'd get a start on searching out the remaining four Herba Mystica for us."

We agree and leave the cave, taking a bag full of the Sweet Herba Mystica with us. Arven waves goodbye, saying, "I really owe you..."

Once he's certain we're out of earshot, Arven lets out a sigh of relief and says, "OK. The coast is clear." He retrieves a Poké Ball and adds, "You can come out now." It appears he has something to discuss with a specific Pokémon of his.

As we step outside the cave, we receive a call from Professor Sada. She informs us, "Hello, Ash and Serena. This is Sada. I detect that both Koraidon and Miraidon have regained some of their original powers. It seems like they will now be able to dash at high speeds while you're riding upon them."

"Yeah... we did see that power," I confirm.

Professor Sada continues, "I hope you will continue to explore Paldea with Koraidon and Miraidon, as you have done here. Your route is not fixed but open before you." Sada says. "Seek out your own path, using your map and the tools you have at hand. Whenever You find your curiosity piqued, you should go and explore as your heart desires. All that you experience will help you grow in some way, great or small. Go forth on your journey... and take good care of Koraidon and Miraidon for us."

After ending the call, Serena reflects, "I guess we didn't register both Koraidon and Miraidon in our Pokédex yet, so they must have detected it through it."

"Yeah," I agree, and we continue our journey through South Province Area 3, excited about the newfound abilities of our Pokémon and the adventures that lie ahead.

And this is the first Titan Pokemon battle, and now Koraidon and Miraidon can dash. I hope you like this chapter.

Ash and Serena's Pokemon:

Charizard x2, Pikachu x2, Primeape, Lapras, Wooper (Paldean), Girafarig, Dunsparce, Steelix (Crystal), Sceptile, Gardevoir (Shiny), Garchomp, Lucario, Krookodile, Zoroark, Bisharp, Greninja, Sylveon, Noivern, Lycanroc (Dusk), Mimikyu (Shiny), Corviknight, Indeedee x2, Kleavor, Sneasler, Floragato, Crocalor, Quaxwell, Lechonk x2, Spidops, Nymble, Pawmi, Fidough, Smoliv, Nacli, Charcadet x2, Bellibolt, Shroodle, Klawf, Tinkatink, Wiglett, Flamigo