"You find any good plays yeh, Ohara?" Dylan asked as he and Aurora looked among the many shelves within Guayaba Academy.
"None that'll be useful for our assignment," Ohara sighed. "All of these are super old and Shakespearian in language. Not the kinds of story for students and Pokémon to perform in together."
"We just need to stay vigilant and keep looking," Aurora stated. She tapped one of the Poké Balls from Dylan's bag and brought out Inari to assist in the search. "Inari, what kind of play should we perform?"
"One about good conquering evil," Inari said, crossing his arms with a hand over his face.
"You Zoroark and your dramatics…" Aurora sighed.
"At least a Zoroark speaking makes more sense to me than a Lucario…" Ohara muttered. "But Inari has a good idea. The Hero's Journey is a good structure for a play to follow, so maybe instead of finding an old play to perform, we can look into Paldea's history to find a story there to make a play out of!"
"That sounds like a great idea! I'm sure Delphi would like to be able to write her own play to show off her talent," Dylan nodded.
"Oh, do I hear students looking for history of our region?" a voice asked. Dylan and Ohara turned to see one of their teachers walking up to them, a woman with purple hair and glasses wearing a blue and red outfit.
"Hello, Ms. Raifort!" Ohara greeted.
"You're the History teacher, right?" Dylan recalled. "I've been having a lot of fun learning about Paldea since I'm not from around here."
"I'm glad to see students taking an interest in the subject outside of class," Raifort said with a smile.
"Well, we're actually looking for a topic for the Drama Club to make a play out of for the semester," Dylan explained. "We thought looking into the history of Paldea may give us some ideas."
"Hm… Well then, have you ever heard the story of the Treasures of Ruin?" Raifort asked. "Normally I would save this topic for later in the semester, but I think it may be of some inspiration for your play. It's an old fairy tale that's been passed down for generations in Paldea: Once upon a time, there was a king who very much enjoyed collecting treasure. He was particularly fond of treasures from other countries. One day, a merchant from the East heard rumors of this king and came to meet him. The merchant laid out four treasures in front of the treasure-loving king. The four treasures were as follows: a vessel, a sword, a set of tablets, and a set of beads. Seeing such rarities before him, the king leaped for joy. He showered the merchant with gold coins and claimed all four of the treasures for himself.
"So, the king obtained these four treasures, and on that very night...it is said that a terrible disaster rained down upon his castle, reducing it to rubble by dawn."
"Oh my. That's unfortunate. I wonder why that happened?" Aurora hummed.
"Good question! The truth is that those four treasures were actually four Pokémon! As these Pokémon were passed from human hand to human hand as treasures, they slowly became tainted by hubris and greed. Finally, after coming in contact with the rapacity of the king at that time, they awakened as disasters and began to rampage out of control. The king called for renowned Pokémon wielders to defend the country and, after a fierce battle, these incarnations of disaster were quelled. It is said that these four Pokémon were then sealed away somewhere in Paldea," Raifort explained.
"Woah! That's quite a story, Ms. Raifort!" Ohara exclaimed, Fuecoco giving a cry of amusement as well.
"But if it's just a story, then there's no sense in believing in it," Inari said.
"Lots of Legendary Pokémon were thought to be myth before they were discovered again in modern times," Dylan pointed out.
"Very true, Dylan! I've even read that back when the Sinnoh region was called Hisui, the clans that lived there believe the Pokémon Dialga and Palkia were actually the same Pokémon they called Almighty Sinnoh," Raifort said. "I have read many historical disaster reports, personal journals, and the like. There is much to support the truth of this story of the Treasures of Ruin."
"Pokémon that caused disaster due to humanity's greed, sealed away within Paldea…" Aurora hummed. "It would be an interesting play if the story were framed as a tragedy showing the fall of the king as he lets his greed consume him to the point of the Treasures destroying his kingdom."
"We can at least run the idea by Delphi to see if she likes it," Ohara said.
"If either of you are interested in learning more about the Treasures of Ruin, feel free to ask me another time. I'll let you know if I find out anything else about them," Raifort said. She looked off to side as a Gengar popped out of the floor, handing a book over to her. "Thank you, Gengar. This book here has the entire Treasure of Ruin story in it. I'm sure you'll find it useful for your play."
"Thank you, Ms. Raifort," Ohara and Dylan said together as Dylan took the book and put it away in his bag. It was a picture book that depicted the king on the front alongside the four treasures, the silhouettes of Pokémon behind each object.
"Aurora, if these disaster Pokémon do exist, isn't it our duty as defenders of justice to make sure they are dealt with?" Inari asked as the group left back to Drama Club.
"If they are sealed away, we should be okay, Inari. But if those seals ever break… We have the power to step in and pacify them with both our strength and our bonds," Aurora replied.
[***]
Ashton and Koraidon certainly hadn't wasted any time in rushing through the streets of Mesagoza, one of the blonde woman's hands barely holding onto the dragon while the other was curled in a fist that she pumped in the air. Anyone else probably would've fallen right off, for Koraidon's running was about as smooth and graceful as an angry Tauros, but Ashton didn't mind at all- she seemed perfectly content, bouncing around on its back and nearly falling off on more than one occasion. Some of the city's citizens gave jolts of fright or surprise as the two of them came bolting through, and some had to run or dive out of the way. Any shouts of "Slow down!" or "Watch where you're going!" fell on deaf ears, for Ashton's laughter drowned them out.
…The two of them would've busted straight through the east gate too, had she not felt her phone ringing. "Hold on, Koraidon!" she exclaimed, digging her heels into the dragon's side a bit.
The dragon came skidding to a halt, stopping right before the gate and saying, "Gias?"
"It's hard to talk on the phone, hold onto you, and keep a fist in the air at the same time," the blonde woman mused, reaching into her pocket. She easily recognized the name on the screen and said with a smirk the moment she picked up, "What do you want, Arven?"
"Well, I don't have to worry about you setting out," the one on the other end said. "You're near the east gate, right?"
"I was just about to bust through it," she replied. "You want me to wait? Maybe I shouldn't leave you to wander the wilderness alone without an Ashton to protect you.~"
"I can handle myself just fine!" Arven replied, sounding slightly flustered. "I just wanted to grab a few ingredients from Deli Cioso on the way out, but I'll meet up with you. If you're at the east gate, you're not that far from where the Stony Cliff Titan is said to make its lair."
Ashton perked right up, a bigger smirk gracing her face. "Oh, really~?!" She felt Orochi and Rio's balls start to wiggle, and she reached down to pat them while snickering mischievously.
"Stories say it clings to cliffs- practically becomes part of the stone- then attacks from above!"
Her face lit up even more. "Oh, so it ambushes you!"
"Exactly! Though...maybe don't be staring up overhead all the time looking for a Titan, only to go tumbling off some cliff you didn't see."
The blonde woman snickered. "Oh, don't worry! I've gone skydiving before- I'm not afraid of a big tumble! And I'm not afraid of something trying to jump out at me either! This sounds awesome!"
There was a pause on the other end. "…Maybe your friend was right to be concerned about you." Ashton only laughed in response. "…Well, if that ever does happen and you get stuck, you can open your map app and call yourself a Flying Taxi to pick you up. Some of those rocky areas are like a real maze, so try not to get lost, little buddy. And if you find a Titan, let me know!"
Some more laughter. "Don't you worry! I'll give you a ring, but don't be mad if I subdue it before you can get there to watch!"
Another pause followed. "…Okay. I'll see you soon. Don't get carried away."
The call ended, and Ashton smirked some more as she stowed her phone away. "Why do they always worry so much?" she remarked to herself, sliding off Koraidon's back and taking a few steps towards the gate. "It'll be fine.~" She paused, turning towards Koraidon and giving the red brute a pat on the head, which it didn't protest but nonetheless studied her a bit. "Where are my manners? I was about to let you crash yourself into the gate so we could make a dramatic entrance into the surrounding areas, but you're not at your best. I shouldn't let you do something so dangerous just yet."
Koraidon tilted its head to the side slightly as she turned towards the gate again, musing "Agi-yaah…?"
She strolled towards the gate, snickering to herself until she was only a few centimeters away, then paused, leaning her head back slightly as she said, "Hydreigon Style: Dragon Rush Headbutt.~"
Koraidon blinked, getting a slightly awkward countenance, but shortly, its eyes were practically bulging out of its head.
A mighty shout came from Ashton as she headbutted the gate with as much force as she could muster. "AGI-YAAAAAAAAAAH!"
WHAM!
The doors flew open, the sound of her skull colliding with them loud enough to make quite a few figures behind her flinch and jump, Koraidon included. The red dragon still studied her as she turned back around, but the awkwardness was quickly replaced with excitement as it bounced up closer to her with some shouts of "Agias! Agi-yaaah!"
Ashton chuckled, reaching out to pat its head and nuzzle it under its maw. "I like your roar, so I hope you don't mind me stealing it! Agi-yah, agi-yaaaaah~!"
"Agias! Agi-yaaaah!"
"Agi-yaaaah indeed!" she said with a wink before hopping on the dragon's back again. "My clan's style of martial arts is based on the Hydreigon species, but maybe when you're feeling like yourself again, I can learn some moves from you! Just throw me off your back if I'm wrong, but something tells me…" She leaned down closer towards Koraidon's head, borderline resting hers on top of the dragon's. "You used to be a mighty king, didn't you? You sure did carry yourself that way back in the grotto."
The dragon paused for a second, then tilted its head so one eye could see Ashton's face as it replied. "Agi-yaaaaah!"
"Well, Koraidon, we'll get you back to your former glory! Or maybe I should say… AGI-YAAAAAAAAH!"
Another cry of "AGI-YAAAAAAAAH!" erupted from the red brute as the two of them charged through the gate. A few concerned or curious eyes stared after them, a few children saying some variation of "Look! A crazy lady!" at seeing Ashton's ridiculous method of opening the gate, but once they were out, business in Mesagoza carried on as usual.
Outside the city gate, though, the terrain looked far less welcoming- rocky orange cliffs rose up all around, the grass rose around knee height and looked somewhat like literal blades for their wideness and thickness, withered trees seemed as plentiful as flourishing ones but none grew very tall, and most of the ground was comprised of red clay. Neither Ashton nor her Pokémon minded it, but it was certainly a stark contrast to the carefully paved, amenity-laden city they'd just left. Koraidon's feet made thudding sounds, indicating the ground wasn't soft, and not even a faint breeze made the underbrush waver. Both Rio and Orochi left their balls, the Hydreigon flying along beside Ashton and Koraidon while the Quaxly perched himself in Ashton's lap. One of the blonde woman's hands held Koraidon, and the other held Rio to keep the little avian from falling off too.
"Qua-qua!" Rio cried, adjusting his coif with one wing before pointing it straight ahead.
"Tell me about it, little guy," Ashton chuckled. "We'll find that Titan, don't you worry." She turned to Orochi. "And don't take this the wrong way, but I want you to sit this one out."
The Hydreigon looked at her with his glowing red eyes and let out a growl of protest, one of his smaller heads reaching out and snapping.
"Don't give me that!" Ashton replied, her hand that was holding Koraidon letting go and punching Orochi's snapping smaller head between its eyes. Had it been a human head she punched, she probably would've caused some hurt, but to an alpha Hydreigon, it was a playful swat. "If things go south, you can jump in, but how's Rio gonna learn to be a mighty warrior if I just let the hulking three-headed dragon take care of everything? You were a baby once too- maybe a huge baby, but you had to learn to defend your territory somehow!"
Orochi eyed her for a moment, then looked ahead and made a few softer gravelly intonations. Ashton chuckled. "Don't worry! You'll have your turn again, and if all else fails, you and I can have a rematch! You can hit me with a Tri-Cannon and I'll suplex all three of your heads at the same time!"
That seemed to perk Orochi up more than anything, for his eyes glinted with mischief and he let out a mighty roar. Rio looked up with a mischievous eye too and said "Qua-qua-qua.~" (*I bet you're all brute strength and no style, aren't you, old man~?*)
Orochi shot the Quaxly a devilish look and made some more gravelly sounds. (*You sure do have some guts, you little pipsqueak, mouthing off to a seasoned alpha that could swallow you whole… and I can respect that.*) A gravelly laugh and a snarky quack came from the two of them, and though Ashton might have still been tuning into the Quaxly's intonations, she could tell it was a friendly argument and not an actual one. Koraidon didn't make a sound, just took the happenings in with an amiable expression.
"We have some time to kill, though, since Arven is probably still on his way, so let's take our time looking around," Ashton mused. "Koraidon, let me off."
The red dragon came to a halt, and off the blonde woman slid, while Rio stayed perched on the red beast's back. Koraidon looked back at him and crouched down a bit for the smaller figure to get off, but another "Qua-qua!" and a pointing of his wing out in front of him told the others that the little bird had no intention of moving at that moment. Koraidon didn't seem to mind and merely got back up, sticking close to Ashton as she traipsed off into the wilderness.
"Okay," Ashton said to herself, balling up her fists and holding one slightly in the air. "If I were a Titan…"
If the Stony Cliff Titan had a tendency to attack from above, it probably needed a place with the necessary height to do so, and seeing as it apparently wasn't a flying species, it must've needed a tall cliff. Up a rocky incline the blonde woman went, watching the ground and the neighboring rock faces for any big indentations that might've resembled a giant set of claws. If the giant creature used suction instead, the only indication would be its figure clinging to the side of the cliff, thus she watched for any odd shapes or areas sticking out too.
Flying Rookidees chirped in the trees and flitted around, all of them becoming skittish when two hulking dragons made their appearance on the scene, and Nymbles hopped around below while finding grass to devour. Growlithes chased each other over the rocks, Makuhitas punched a few boulders, and Naclis left salt trails behind as they ambled along that Koraidon just had to stop and lick out of curiosity. When the red brute discovered that apparently it tasted delicious, Orochi just had to find out too and tried to lick a Nacli directly with his main head, only to make the little salty creature scream and run away the second he opened his maw. The Hydreigon wasn't dissuaded and instead chased after it, finally cornering the still-horrified creature against a cliff and giving it a big lick that made the Nacli pass out in fright before he left it alone. Rio made little snickering quacking sounds the whole time, watching with great amusement, and Koraidon wasn't too far behind (Ashton was half expecting Orochi to outright swallow the Nacli instead of just lick it, but felt some relief on the rocky one's behalf when he didn't).
They found plenty of things among the crags- a discarded potion or two lying in the crag, a few scattered Murkrow feathers, a berry bush that the Pokémon devoured the pickings of, some wily Growlithes that Rio just had to shoot with a Water Gun- but no Titan. Ashton couldn't help but to think that it must've been hidden fantastically… or they just hadn't looked in the right place yet. Either way, her attention and that of the creatures venturing along with her were stolen when an errant fireball- an Ember- came shooting down from up above that Ashton and Koraidon scurried to avoid while Orochi opened his maw and returned fire with a Flash Cannon.
"Is that-?!" Ashton started to say, thinking maybe it was the Titan shooting fireballs, but cut herself off.
The source of the fireball was most certainly not a Titan- the figure shooting it was much too small to have that title, being only slightly bigger than Rio. Two flaming eyes stared back from behind a rocky black mask, two tiny red fists balled up at his sides- a Charcadet.
"Hey!" Ashton called, getting a slight smirk.
"Qua-qua!" Rio called likewise, swiping his coif back and pointing upwards at their fiery company.
Orochi's Flash Cannon probably would've sent just about any other creature running for the hills, but the little Charcadet simply crouched low to the ground and let it sail overhead, the top of his flame getting grazed by Orochi's steely energy blast. Ashton couldn't help but to pay the little warrior attention, for he certainly seemed to know good and well who he was picking a fight with but did so anyway. Either it was stupidity or sheer tenacity, but either way, he wasn't going to win, and Orochi didn't even bother dodging as the little fire warrior shot off another Ember. A Dragon Rush left the Charcadet covered in the rubble of a smashed rock and a crushed bush, and shortly Orochi was returning to them, no stray bursts of flame following.
"Qua!" Rio cried, looking mischievous. Some more quacking chuckles followed. "Qua-qua! Qua!"
Ashton too giggled. "Sheesh," she said. "Well, if he wanted a fight, I guess he came to the right place." Orochi made some gravelly giggling sounds too, and Koraidon looked amiable but still didn't make a sound. "I got excited for a second," Ashton mused, keeping on. "If the Titan can set things on fire, then-"
Thump!
She looked behind her instinctively to see what the sound was, for it certainly didn't sound big like something called a "Titan" but nonetheless wasn't something she would ignore. Indeed, it wasn't the Titan, but rather the same Charcadet, shaky on his feet and barely standing up but still managing to aim another Ember, small though it was.
Her eyes got slightly wide. "And you're still trying to fight…?" her voice trailed off.
"Charrr!" the little fire warrior hissed.
Orochi and Koraidon turned around too, and Rio jumped off the red dragon's back, making some surprised vocalizations and gesturing with one wing. Off the Charcadet's Ember went, a Water Gun from Rio putting it out just as quick. The Hydreigon, on the other hand, opened his maw and went to Crunch the Charcadet, who created a sinister blue flame- a Will-O-Wisp- between his hands.
"Hold on, Orochi!" Ashton called.
Orochi's jaws were just about to snap down on the Charcadet, whose flame succeeded in burning the dragon's snout, before he paused with his mouth still open. The Charcadet was shakily staring right into the fanged maw of an alpha Hydreigon, one big enough to swallow him up and leave no traces of a scuffle, but the little warrior didn't back away. Rather, the Charcadet had another Ember forming as if he stood a chance, and Ashton couldn't help but to snicker a bit.
"Hey! Charcadet!" Ashton called.
"Qua!" Rio too hollered, pointing again.
The fire warrior let the attack go again, albeit stumbling backwards a bit afterwards. Orochi swallowed the flame and closed his jaws on the one targeting him, albeit not in a Crunch and not hard enough to do any serious harm. Another hiss came from the Charcadet, who found himself snared in a set of fangs with only one arm hanging out, but that didn't stop the little warrior. That one arm flailed weakly and he hissed from inside Orochi's maw, firing faint Embers off in every direction he could manage. Ashton couldn't help but to grin a bit, for it was certainly tenacity and not stupidity.
"Agiaaaas," Koraidon mused, tilting his head to the side.
Orochi flew back over and dropped the Charcadet in a heap in front of the others, to which Ashton crouched down to be more on his level while the little warrior pointed another hand at her with a faint flame taking form. Rio stuck close to Ashton, giving another swipe of his coif as he studied their flaming company.
"Hey," Ashton said simply, smirking. "You like to go challenging strong opponents, don't you?"
Another weak hiss followed, a tiny Ember following that Ashton herself reached up to grab and snuff out with her hand. It left her skin a little pink and dry, but she didn't flinch, instead staring the Charcadet right in his flaming eyes. Again he stumbled backwards, struggling to catch himself before Ashton reached out to steady him with the same hand. She certainly felt the flames on his back, but still didn't flinch, albeit taking her hand back before it got too pink. The Charcadet eyed her, apparently taken aback by her so casually touching his flames.
"You're not gonna beat Orochi," Ashton said simply, still grinning.
"Char!" the Charcadet fussed, trying to muster up another attack as he pointed a shaky hand at her.
"Hold on!" the blonde woman kept on, reaching out and grabbing his arm with an amused look. "If you wanna battle, Rio here is up for it and he's more your size!"
"Qua!" Rio cried, swiping his coif and puffing his chest out to look more majestic.
"I'll heal you so it's even," Ashton added, sliding her bag off her back and reaching into it. "He's a Water-type, but that's no problem for you, right?"
She retrieved a potion (as well as a Full Heal for Orochi's burn), which the little fire warrior didn't protest having sprayed on him at all, while Rio struck a pose and winked as if to goad the Charcadet on. The instant the Charcadet was feeling better, he wasn't going for another Ember but instead a Clear Smog, spraying white poisonous smoke from his flaming hands at Rio, who countered with a Water Gun to dissipate it. Ashton, Orochi, and Koraidon gave them some room, all three of them backing away while Rio went to Pound his opponent. The Charcadet stood still for a moment, letting Rio get close, then hissed and made a quick jabbing motion to Astonish the Quaxly. Rio gave a little squawk of fright, but quickly followed up with a Water Gun that temporarily doused the Charcadet's flames and made him stumble backwards again. Another Clear Smog followed, but Rio simply took it, lurching right through the poisonous cloud and shooting his foe directly with a Water Gun. Again, the Charcadet's flames were doused, and that seemed to sap his remaining energy away, for he sprawled backwards and twitched for a moment before going limp.
"Qua!" Rio cried, striking another pose.
Orochi gave a mighty roar of approval, and Koraidon too let out a happy intonation for their smaller companion's victory. Rio, however, got a surprised look too, and Ashton started to grin even more as his form started to glow and shift- he was evolving.
"There we go," she said excitedly.
Shortly, it wasn't just a Quaxly standing before them, but a Quaxwell, one who had an even more majestic coif and wasted no time in slicking it back. "Qua-qua," he said, more suavely but still with a hint of attitude.
Ashton reached a hand out, which he high-fived with one of his wings, and Orochi gave a playful snap with one smaller head while Koraidon simply gave a happy look. "Well, you'll do even better now once we find the Titan," Ashton said with a chuckle. "Speaking of which! We still haven't found it, so let's keep looking!"
A few cries of affirmation answered her, and off she went traipsing, Rio jumping on Koraidon's back again as they kept on. Koraidon and Orochi both studied her, for they quickly noticed that she was moving at a slower pace than she had been before, and though Koraidon took that as a cue to slow down, Orochi gave her a playful shove with one of his smaller heads as if to snap her out of some trance.
"I just can't wait to face a giant Pokémon that's really dangerous," Ashton kept on, smirking as she strode along slowly. "This one is gonna be scary, and only someone strong should fight it! It's gonna be really tough!"
At that, Orochi seemed to pick up on what she was doing and let her be, while Koraidon gave her an inquisitive look and Rio styled his coif without a care. Ashton giggled for a second, glancing over her shoulder, and sure enough, a certain flaming form was rustling again.
"Chaaaar!" the Charcadet cried, getting to his feet, albeit shakily.
At that, Ashton turned around and darted back over, dropping down onto her knees to be more at the little warrior's level with a big grin on her face. "You wanna go fight Titans with us?!" she asked excitedly.
Orochi rushed over and made some gravelly sounds, likewise getting lower to the ground with an intent look but still towering over both of them.
"Agias?" Koraidon mused.
"Qua," Rio said.
"Char," the Charcadet said, giving a shaky nod.
Ashton set her bag down again and opened it up, taking out another potion and laying out some Poké Balls- the standard kind, Great Balls, Ultra Balls, the special ones that only worked in certain instances. "Then you're gonna need a ball," she said. "And a name I can call you by, unless you're just too cool for that."
After she sprayed him with the potion again, the little warrior was much more energetic when combing over the balls, looking at the surface of each one and prodding it a few times with one hand. He immediately turned away from the standard Poké Ball and looked at the more niche ones, likewise rebuffing a Dive Ball and Heal Ball but lingering for a moment at a Premier Ball.
"Something tells me you're not a 'lazy name' type of Charcadet," Ashton mused. "How do you feel about 'Charles' or 'Caden?'"
"Char!" the one she addressed hissed, shaking his head as he prodded the Premier Ball.
She giggled. "What about 'Brimstone?'" she inquired. "I could see that on a Fire-type."
The Charcadet didn't respond, stepping away from the Premier Ball. He went over to a Dusk Ball instead, staring at it for a moment before reaching out to touch it. "Oookay, not a huge fan," Ashton remarked. "Let's see… Where I come from, there's this giant poem called Inferno written by a guy named Dante-"
The Charcadet's gaze snapped up and he quickly said, "Char."
"You like that?" Ashton inquired. "'Inferno?'" He shook his head, picking up the Dusk Ball. "'Dante?'" she inquired in turn.
A nod was her answer, the little warrior throwing the Dusk Ball at her head which she caught. She chuckled, tapping it to the Charcadet's head to catch him. He went in without a fuss, albeit quickly re-emerging, probably so as to not be even a second late to any potential action, she figured.
She chuckled again, getting an even bigger grin. "Welcome to the team, Dante.~"
The little Charcadet certainly wasn't shy about getting into battles with the wildlife that would return fire (literally or figuratively), and he and Rio both seemed to get along fine, albeit occasionally appearing to get playfully snarky with each other. Koraidon stuck close to Ashton with Rio on its back, while Dante nestled himself on Orochi's back between his wings, however clinging to the Hydreigon's neck more often than not to see what was in front of them. Orochi would occasionally split off to go scour the cliffs himself, inadvertently terrorizing Naclis when he tried to lick them, and Dante using his back as more of a high ground from which to fire Embers and Clear Smogs. A few Growlithes actually returned the attack, but none bothered to strike a second time if their Embers accidentally hit Orochi and made the three-headed brute turn around.
Ashton couldn't help but to giggle as she saw such unfold, and Koraidon watched the flames flying too, occasionally making an intonation when a Growlithe would strike back. Rio made a few quacks and pointed with one wing, seemingly cheering for the little fire warrior. South Province Area Three was big, but Ashton and her company combed over quite a lot of it, stopping at a Pokémon Center for a quick heal with what looked like a stone tower within a trekking distance. Ashton couldn't help but to think maybe a Titan would hide there, but when imagining the size of the tower relative to the size of something called a 'Titan,' she figured such wouldn't be as likely. Nonetheless, more warranting of her attention was a certain figure off in the distance that looked back at her and waved- that of Arven. She waved back, and shortly, Arven looked like he was reaching for something and her phone was buzzing, which she answered.
"Hey, Ashton!" came Arven's voice at the other end.
"Hey, Arven," she replied. "Finally found you, huh?"
"Are you alright? The wilderness hasn't been too harsh on you, has it?"
She snickered. "Oh, I've been having a good time and made a new friend too.~ What's new with you?"
"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?"
"We've been looking too," Ashton noted. "Orochi and me both. We haven't found anything huge yet, except for literally the cliffs, or I'd probably be wrestling it."
There was a pause on the other end, and off in the distance, she could see Arven shaking his head. "Okay, I know you're joking, but don't get yourself hurt," he said quickly. "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. Maybe just give your map app a look if you're feeling stumped- the general area should be right."
She snickered again. "Don't you worry about me, Arven.~ Titan or no Titan, I've ended up in my fair share of strange and dangerous places.~ Give me another call if you see it, alright?"
"You give me a call too," Arven replied. "Look, I don't want you getting hurt, alright? These things are big and they-"
The blonde woman couldn't help but to laugh, cutting him off. "Arven, you see this giant three-headed beast next to me?" she asked, motioning at Orochi. "You see how tiny I am next to him? I went off, alone, onto a god-forsaken mountain in the icy cold to battle him, he proceeded to wipe out my team, so I rolled up my sleeves and threw hands with him myself. That's how I won Orochi's respect."
As if to back her up, Orochi let out a roar that Arven could certainly hear from a hundred or so meters away.
Another pause followed, after which came some light chuckling. "Oh, little buddy, I know you and Dylan are already Champion-ranked like Nemona, but you don't have to make up crazy stories to sound tough," he said simply. "I'll call you if I find it, and you call me too. Just stay safe."
The call ended shortly thereafter, and Arven's figure was running off into the distance. Ashton tucked her phone back into her pocket, chuckling all the while, and Orochi let out a few gravelly chuckles too. "Oh, just you wait," Ashton laughed, watching Arven run off. She turned to her company and said, "Alright, guys, we're apparently getting close, so let's be on the lookout."
A few cries of affirmation met her, and off they went again. Dante resisted the urge to fling fireballs or clouds of poison, likely opting to save his strength for a big foe, and Orochi darted around in the air to inspect the cliffs while Ashton kept an eye out for giant tracks or claw marks. Rio still perched on Koraidon's back, playing the part of a sassy navigator well, but Koraidon didn't seem to mind at all. The red cliffs still seemed empty, the ground didn't display any signs of a scuffle involving a giant creature, and nothing jumped down in an attempt to ruin their day, at least, until…
"Glawwwwwwww!"
A sudden loud sound someplace between a roar and a groan assaulted the senses of Ashton and her Pokémon on the ground, and a roar from Orochi shortly added to the mix. Koraidon's attention snapped upwards towards the source, and Rio squawked while pointing one wing up too. The blonde woman likewise looked up, and when she did, she saw Orochi zipping back downwards while it appeared part of the cliff he flew around was peeling off. As big as an alpha Hydreigon was, this creature was even bigger, and little bits of clay and pebbles fell off like rain as it detached itself from its perch. A big shell almost matching the color of the cliffs and rugged enough to pass for the same rocky material, bristles on its appendages resembling the color of dead shrubs sticking out of the crag…
"Found it," Ashton said quickly, eyes intent but mouth smirking.
Orochi zipped down and grabbed both her and Dante while zipping further back, and Koraidon too bolted off while carrying Rio. Ashton didn't protest, and though Dante did, the little Charcadet shut up quickly when the giant figure landed with a heavy thud where they had been moments before. The Hydreigon put them down, hovering behind them but staying close nonetheless, and Ashton smirked at the giant eyes peering back at her with a big set of pincers waving beside them- the eyes and pincers of a Klawf, a huge one.
One set of pincers reached out and snapped, while the Titan let out another cry of "Glawwwww!"
"Chaaaar!" Dante fussed back, stepping forward and waving one of his hands in challenge.
"Qua!" Rio exclaimed, jumping off of Koraidon's back and pointing a wing at it.
Ashton snickered under her breath and said, "Alright, guys, let's do it."
The Titan was already making moves, for it held its pincers out wide to Block a viable path of retreat, but Ashton didn't mind- she had no intention of running away regardless, and from the gestures her Pokémon made, they sure didn't either.
"Dante, Will-O-Wisp!" Ashton called, taking note of the Klawf's big claws that looked perfect for battering whatever it decided to be upset at. "And Rio, you go for Water Gun! Make it mad!" She reached into her pocket, however, and quickly went to call up one contact.
The Charcadet had no trouble following through, a blue wispy flame taking form between his hands, and Rio did similar with a ball of water welling up between his hands, but the Titan jabbed out with one pincer at the Quaxwell to go for a Rock Smash. Fairly quick, Rio jumped up, albeit with the water coating his body instead of firing off in an attack, and leaped off the Klawf's pincer to ram it between the eyes.
"Did you learn Aqua Jet?!" Ashton exclaimed, grinning. "You go, Rio!"
"Qua-qua!" Rio exclaimed, striking a pose for just a moment in front of his target as the ground started to rumble beneath him.
Dante's attack, on the other hand, landed perfectly, the blue wisp descending upon the Klawf's other pincer and burning it. Another cry of "Glaawww!" came in protest, the Klawf trying to smash its battering appendage down on the Charcadet, but with it wincing, Dante was nonetheless able to avoid it.
The one Ashton called picked up and she quickly put the phone to the side of her face, blurting out before Arven cold even muster up a 'hello,' "Hey, Arven! I found it! Get over here and-! Oh, shoot!"
Rio, on the other hand, though he was quick to jump, couldn't quite avoid a Rock Tomb, big slabs of stones shooting up from the ground that would've encased all of him but instead caught him by one leg. A squawk of discomfort escaped his beak as he tried to pull himself free, but the Klawf had him right where it wanted him, and another Rock Smash broke apart the rocks ensnaring him but nonetheless gave Rio a hard hit too. The Quaxwell gasped as the pincer slammed him, then went flying back into a cliff side and slumping down onto the ground.
"Char!" Dante cried.
"Astonish it, Dante!" Ashton cried hurriedly. "Rio, are you alright?!"
The Charcadet did exactly that, letting out a loud screech and running up to throw himself on the Klawf's burnt pincer, making the Titan give a jolt and pause for a second in an attempt to shake him off.
"Ashton?!" Arven called from the other end of the phone. "Are you alright?! Tch, scratch that, I'm coming!" The call dropped shortly thereafter.
Rio, on the other hand, picked himself back up and stared daggers at the Klawf, squawking, "Quuuaaaaa…!" while shaking his wing in wrath. Whether it was indeed being hit, whether it was interrupting his stylish pose, or simply at their foe being so uncouth was anyone's guess, but he seemed to be getting rather Worked Up, his wing shakes becoming more forceful. "Qua-qua! Qua-QUA!"
The Klawf succeeded in throwing Dante off, flinging him upwards once the Charcadet's grip gave out and going for a Vise Grip.
"Clear Smog!" Ashton hollered.
Dante followed suit, sending a cloud of poisonous fog at the Titan and throwing its aim off once one of its eyes was enveloped by the fog. Dante still felt a hard brush of the pincer and the force as it clamped shut, but thankfully, he wasn't gripped by the Klawf to take the full brunt of the attack. Rio, on the other hand, rushed at their foe again, slamming it with an Aqua Jet that hit even harder than the last one had. Something about that seemed to set the Klawf off, for an even louder "GLAAAAAWWWWW!" escaped it, sounding less like a groan and much more like a roar. Rio retreated further away, albeit slicking his coif back as he did so, and Dante took a few steps backwards, for the Titan was clearly in a rage as it stamped all of its appendages and flashed its pincers with such vigor that the ground shook.
"Well, we've made it angry, alright," Ashton remarked. "Dante, Clear Smog! Rio, keep going for Aqua Jet!"
"Char!"
"Qua!"
The ground below both of them started to shake, and even under Ashton herself, to which Orochi snatched up the human to get her out of the way of a Rock Tomb while the two facing the Titan rushed off to attack again. Rio turned into a blur as he struck it between the eyes again, and Dante got close to aim for its eyes with a Clear Smog too. Another Rock Smash, from both of its pincers, missed as Rio moved too quick and Dante obscured its vision, causing it to stamp its appendages again and roar. Two more Rock Tombs followed that didn't quite hit their marks, but the Klawf apparently had other things on its mind, for it started to skitter backwards and turn away.
Ashton took note of such and said to no one particular, "Oh, don't you even think about it!"
At that moment, though, some footsteps also caught her attention, belonging to Arven running up behind her and the two dragons close to her. "Ashton!" he cried. "That's the Stony Cliff Titan?! No Klawf has any business being that big!"
"Tell me about it!" Ashton brushed him off. "And it's about to run! No way am I letting it slip away like that!" As the Klawf turned its back on them completely, Ashton darted towards it, getting surprised looks even from Rio and Dante. Koraidon eyed her but didn't protest, and Orochi didn't seem fazed at all, but Arven, on the other hand, looked unsettled.
"Ashton, hold on!" the other human called frantically. "Don't get too close! It could-!" His caution fell on deaf ears as she made a leap right as the Klawf too jumped off the side of the cliff, catching the bristles on one of its legs and going right over the edge with it. "ASHTON!" he shouted, his eyes practically bulging out of his skull.
"Agias!" Koraidon too called. Rio and Dante both darted over to the edge of the cliff, peering down in concern, and Koraidon was following suit.
"She-! Why?!" Arven stammered, darting over too. Before he could get a very good look, he felt something grab both of his arms and hurriedly glanced aside to see Orochi's two smaller heads grabbing him with their mouths. "Hey, you brute! Don't-!" he shouted, quickly trying to shake free.
However, when Orochi flung him into the air, he landed on the Hydreigon's back, and he shortly wasn't protesting such as the Hydreigon dove over the side of the cliff too. The sudden rush of feeling like he was falling made his eyes shoot wide all over again, but he clung to Orochi for dear life, unsettled though he was. He could see Ashton too, sprawled on the Klawf's back but apparently in one piece as the Titan skittered off to destinations unknown.
"Ashton!" he shouted.
"Agi-yaaaah!" came another shout, quickly revealed to be Koraidon jumping down with Dante and Rio on its back too.
Arven gave a shout of displeasure at seeing the red dragon trailing along too, but shoved the feeling off and looked back to the blonde woman, who was picking herself up. Orochi flew after them, and Koraidon ran along as fast as it could.
Ashton stood up, carefully turning around and waving with a big grin as if absolutely nothing was amiss. "Don't worry about me!" she hollered.
The Klawf must have noticed her, for it reached its pincers up and started swinging them at its own back, Ashton simply flattening herself against its shell and cackling with glee.
"There's no way, there's just no way," Arven said flatly, eyes wide. "Orochi, tell me- was she actually telling the truth?!"
The Hydreigon roared in response, all three of his heads nodding. Arven's eyes went even wider. The dragon he rode on was undoubtedly a brute, but if she'd won his respect by throwing hands with him herself, then she didn't know what fear was, lacked common sense, or was flat-out crazy. Whether that was a good thing or something awful was something he couldn't decide, but either way, she was his Titan-hunting comrade, for better or worse.
He simply couldn't help but verbalize one thought, studying her dumbfoundedly. "What did I just get myself into…?"
Author's Note
TheDragonSaver: I wanted to set up the Treasures of Ruin plotline with Dylan's story as well since Azkazel and I think they're very cool Pokémon and want them to appear in this story eventually.
Azakael: This AN is brought to you by Azakael speaking in the third person and not having much else to say even after thinking about it for around 15 minutes. She is rather puzzled how her friend is able to put one on every chapter, but nonetheless goes along with it because she is a wonderful, loving person with zero flaws who cares about her friends and does not, under any circumstance, make ironic statements or tell blatant lies.