After our meal, and loads of discussing, Kari and I decided that we would start our adventure eastward together, and circle back towards Mesagoza. I kept in mind what Nemona had said about the eastward part outside the city, so Kari and I made sure to stock up on Potions, items, whatever we needed for our Pokémon, including food stuffs for a picnic should we get hungry. Once we left through the east gate, we were taken away by the fire orange, rocky cliffs that made up this canyon like piece of Paldea, and the two of us scanned the area as wild Pokémon ran from patches of flora growing from the desert temperature conditions, leaving us excitedly pointing out which ones were what, and what each of us found intriguing in our surroundings. "Where I'm from, the sun is always warm. Even in summer the sun never blazes like this!" Kari began as we walked. "Yeah, I see what you mean. In Kalos, the sun was always temperate unless the day was cloudy, then it was cold outside!" I replied, admiring the glowing of the canyon underneath the sun. "You know, if you really wanted to, this'd be a great place to start filling our Pokédexes." Kari said as a tubby looking Pokémon waddled by. She readied a Pokéball in her hand, and with one swift move of her arm, and flick of her wrist, the ball caught the tubby Pokémon with a soft click. A mechanical voice announced loudly, "Makuhita has been registered to your Pokédex!" And Kari pulled out her phone to bring up the app. "Look at this! I find this one to be quite hearty." Kari said, holding up her phone to me as I quickly read Makuhita's dex entry under my breath. "It would suit you quite a bit, with how much you battle and all." I replied, smiling at her as she laughed aloud. "I'm not ALL battle. I can be quite hospitable when the time comes, and brave when it's needed!" She said, putting her phone back into her bag, which wasn't like the school backpack at all. I admired the craftsmanship of the odd backpack, having been meticulously sewn with leather, and embroidered beautifully with the image of flowers, and mountains, and a lake. Taking notice of my interest, Kari grinned as she began, "My mother made it for me before I left for Paldea. It's wide enough to hold clothes, and deep enough to carry two Pokémon eggs at once-though I wouldn't recommend doing such. Do you like?" "Y-Yeah, it's pretty! I've never seen anything sewn with leather before. Aren't you worried it'll wear or tear?" "Nonsense! This leather here is the finest quality leather my region can provide, harvested meticulously from an elder Walrein upon it's passing. Since the elders are so old, their skin has seen much action, and as a result, is REALLY tough. My mother found a way to soften the skin temporarily so that it can be tanned, and crafted into something new. The rest of it gets made into food, lard, and candles. Their tusks are made into flutes, pendants for good luck, and cooking ware." "O-Oh.... How interesting..." I gulped. Kari must've sensed my unease about the idea of harvesting a Pokémon, and said reassuringly, "We do not hunt the elder Walrein; too slow, and too weak to defend themselves. They come to our shores to pass away in peace, and once their final breath has been taken, we do the call of guiding so that it's spirit may return to Valhalla, and swim in it's crystal waters as it once did in life on earth. Then we take it's mortal shell, and reuse it to make our survival gear, toys, products, all of it. It's quite humane than what poachers end up doing; nasty brutes take their chance to make an easy target out of them! It vexes me so..." "Is anything done about the poachers?" I asked, curious. Kari frowned as she replied, "What CAN be done? In their eyes, they're getting meat and leather for their families out of availability, and the fact it's just going to die anyway! It's most disrespectful... They do not see, agree, nor respect the sacredness of Nordic land, and our ancient ways. In fact, we are but crazed filth to them. What do you think?" "N-No! No, I totally agree with your method of things. It's more humane than to just do it in because it's too old. It's sad, really, how far some poachers go to get their hands on good product..." I said, my heart becoming heavy. "Then you have the heart of a Nord. I respect that!" Kari replied, nodding in satisfaction as she smiled. We continued to walk the path, training up our Pokémon by battling whoever we came by, and made a game out of how many Pokémon we could catch while we were there. After a while, I checked the map to see where we were heading when the ground beneath us shook violently, jostling Kari and I as I screamed, "Wh-What's HAPPENING!?" "IT'S AN EARTHQUAKE! GET DOWN, OR WE'LL BE SENT OVER THE EDGE!" Kari screamed back, going flat on her stomach as she wrapped her arm around a small tree I the flora. Taking her word, I ran over to her, and got down beside her as she grasped my wrist tightly, and the two of us braced the thundering sounds and shaking as we watched terrified Pokémon run for cover. The tremor lasted almost twenty minutes before ceasing, and Kari scanned the area as I winced in pain from her grip. "O-Oh! My... I-I'm sorry." She apologized, releasing my hand as I said, "You've the grip of an perturbed Clawitzer!" "S-Sorry... I anticipated that the tremor would cause the rock to split, and that there was a likely chance of falling into a newly made ravine if I didn't grapple ourselves to something, and keep you from plummeting! It seems that I anticipated wrong..." she explained, dusting herself off before extending her hand to me to help me up. Once I was off the ground, I dusted myself off, and looked around at the Pokémon that were left sprawled on the ground, shaken from small trees and trampled by others striving for safety, and I approached a small Rookidee, whose wing had been injured in the chaos. "Aww..." I began, kneeling beside the creature as it tried to fly away, and yelping in pain as it flapped it's wings. "Grrrrrdddddddttt! Grrdt! Grrrrrrrrrrdddddt!" Kari trilled, and the Rookidee seemed to calm itself long enough to let me have a closer look. "Oh, you poor sweetheart. You've cut your wing! Here, I have something that may help." I said, and I slowly; gently placed my bag on the ground before rummaging through my items pocket for a potion. Once I had the spray in my hand, I carefully lifted the Rookidee's wing, and I cooed, "This might sting a little, but you'll feel yourself again. I promise!" I lightly sprayed the wound caused by the earthquake, and Rookidee flinched at first before letting out a relieved and relaxed, "Deeeee...." "That must feel nice, huh?" I laughed, continuing to spray the wound until it healed itself, and once I set the Rookidee's wing back down, it shook itself before trying another attempt to lift off the ground. "Roo-Rookideeeee!" It cheered, looping and diving through the air before gliding to a halt before our feet again, and the two of us clapped in support of the small creature as I said, "You did it! Good job!" The Rookidee plucked something off of a nearby tree, and approached my feet as it looked up, and tilted it's head innocently. It was a blossom that was growing on the tree, and my heart melted as I took the beautiful flower from it's small beak as I said, "Thank you! You're such a dear." As I observed the beautiful bloom, I felt a small tugging at my sock, and I looked back down to find the Rookidee nestled on my foot. "Heehee! That's not a nest, silly Rookidee." I said, lifting it from the ground, and placing it atop a tree with it's fellow Rookidee before waving goodbye. Kari and I continued on the path, curious as to what made the tremor when my phone began to ring, and I pulled it out to find that it was from Arven! I answered the phone, and immediately asked in concern, "A-Arven! Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?!" "Bwahaha! How sweet, my little buddy's worried for me. But in all seriousness, I'd like to ask YOU that question. That was a rather rough tremor if you ask me!" "Y-Yeah, we're okay." ""We"?" "I've got Kari traveling with me." "Hello!" Kari greeted happily. "Hey there! I'm glad you decided to join my little buddy here in getting the famed Herba Mystica!" Arven replied gratefully. "Glad to lend all the hands I can! But do tell, what is this famed "Herba Mystica" that you speak of?" Kari asked, intrigued. "I-It's kind of a long story... All I'll say is that these Herbs have healing properties, and I'd very much like to find them. But to do that, we must first find the Titan Pokémon protecting them, and engage them in a battle!" "Sounds exciting! Where do we start?" Kari asked, her eyes lighting up. "Well, I'd say you two are off to a pretty good start. The Stony Cliff Titan is nearby! All you two need to do now is track it, and weaken it. I'll catch up with you ASAP, so be careful!" Arven warned. I nodded in response, and assured, "We will, Arven. See you then!" "Caio!" Arven said, and he hung up as I put my phone back into my backpack. "This "Titan" of the stone cliffs.... What do YOU suppose it is?" Kari asked, tilting her head to the side in thought. "Well it's obviously gotta be a Rock Type, otherwise it wouldn't be called such." I replied, placing a finger to my chin. "I know a few "Titan" Pokémon, but I doubt you'll find them here in Paldea. I wonder, though, what soul resides in such a beast?" Kari said, closing her eyes. "A dangerous one most likely, but we'll never know until we find it. Arven said it's close by, so I guess we should make this quick before another Pokémon or person gets hurt!" "Right!" Kari agreed, and the two of us set off in search of the Titan. We searched everywhere; around cliffs, inside caves, but there wasn't a sign of this so called "Titan" anywhere! "This is IMPOSSIBLE!" I cried, "We've been at this for HOURS, and there's not even a HINT that this alleged Titan has been here!" "Well it must be SOMEWHERE. We just need to be patient, and collect ourselves." Kari said, placing herself on her knees atop of a flat piece of rock. She closed her eyes, and put her hands on the surface of the rock as she went really quiet, and I opened my mouth to speak when she placed a hand up to hush me. "I'm connecting myself to the earth; listening and seeing as it listens and sees." She explained, running her hands through the red soil around her as she slowly placed an ear to the ground. After a few minutes passed, her eyes shot open, and she jumped back to her feet before breaking into the swiftest sprint anyone could have! "Come! Come! It's gone this way!" She beckoned, turning back to me, and I shook myself from my amazement to follow behind her. Three times we stopped for Kari to tap into the earth, and we finally stopped by a plateau that was so tall, one could see Mesagoza in it's glory if they wanted! Kari got back onto her knees, and ran her hands through the soil once more before giving a confirming nod. "The Titan is close. It's veins run strong with unfiltered strength that I've never felt before! Let's look around." She said excitedly, but I couldn't reciprocate the feeling in return as my eyes stayed glued to the Cliffside behind us..... My blood turned icy, and my skin grew pale as I stammered, "Y-You must be REALLY good at tracking, huh?" "You just now-" but she didn't finish..... She didn't have the opportunity TO finish, because she saw it too.... I grasped her arm fearfully as she slowly looked up, and made an audible gulp as she met two gigantic spheres that were eyes, looking down upon us like Durants as it sighed a hefty sigh! "Wh-What a great beast! It's positively SURGING with power; power that it claimed by..... Unnatural..... Means!" Kari said in a shaken tone. "M-Maybe if we stand really still, it won't see us?" I asked, keeping my eyes pinned on the giant. I should've known better.... I SHOULD'VE known better...! The creature, with a powerful leap, left the side of the cliff with a frightening, and terrible roar, making me screech in terror as I braced myself for a chase! "KEEE!KEEE, KEEE! GRRRRRDT!" Kari quickly began, trying to quell the Titan's fury. The Titan roared again, and lifted a massive, terrible claw above it as Kari squealed, "KEEEE! KEEE! GRRRRRRRRRRDDDDDT, KEE!" and before we knew it, the giant began to relax, and settle itself down by Kari's call. "Grrrrr, grrrrrdt. Keee, woop!" Kari said as she slowly knealed to the ground before it, and quickly, quietly instructed, "Spirit, show it the respect it deserves! Quick!" "O-Oh! Uhhhh..." I said before joining her awkwardly on the ground, and now the two of us were on our knees before this monster of a Pokémon as it sniffed and observed us. "KLA-A-A-AW!" it roared before settling itself down in front of us, and the two of us slowly rose as Kari began to make a series of clicking and purring noises. "What are you doing?" I whispered in curiosity, to which she replied in the same tone, "We need to challenge it for this "Herba Mystica" thing, right? I'm asking it for permission to challenge it in noble combat! If it works, it'll give us a test to see our strength before giving us the challenger's right." "What's that?" "It means it has accepted our request to go toe to claw with it." She explained before going back to clicking, trilling and purring. The Titan seemed to be calm enough now, and it gave a gentle sigh before making it's way across from us. "Look at how splendid it is! This one is a peasant in a Jarl's shell; common but highly revered." Kari said in admiration as the beast turned to face us, and it let out a mighty roar as Kari said, "Vættir! I ask you, lend me your strength!" "Alright River! Now's your chance! Help out Kari!" I said, and I brought out my beloved Quaxly as I finished, "Show them the power of what a raging rapid can do!" "Quax! Quax-ax-axly!" He cried, getting into a fighting position. Kari threw her ball up into the air, and out came a worm like, white colored Pokémon that resembled a Diglett in likeness. "Wiggy-Wig!" It cried, taking position beside River, and Kari commanded, "Alright,Vættir, let's start this dance with grace, and use Aqua Tail!" Vættir began to glow, and it summoned water to it's backside before extending it's body, and landing a heavy hit on the Stone Cliff Titan, making it flinch as I cried, "Now, Riv! Use the move I've been teaching you; Aqua Jet them back from whence they came!" River focused it's center, and from it was able to project a powerful blast of water that landed a critical hit! "A crit! Nice one, River!" Kari cheered, making River pump it's wings happily. "Vættir! Show them the power residing in that squish, slimy body of yours, and use it to summon the rain!" Vættir extended itself to it's full length, and bobbed and swayed to an invisible rhythm until the sky began to pour! "Beautiful, Vættir!" I cried, applauding the odd Water Type version of Diglett. "Wig! Wiggy!" It cried again, spining around. Now it was the Titan's turn as it took a hunk of the cliff behind it, and broke it off with powerful claws before lobbing it towards River and Vættir, making me gasp. "Vættir! Dodge!" Kari cried, and the wormy Pokémon retreated into it's mound to avoid the blast. "River! Use the stones to your advantage, and use them to reach your opponent!" I cried, hatching a plan as Kari's eyes widened. River leapt into the air, and began hopping from boulder to boulder until it was right on the verge of being face level with the Titan. "Use the gift of rain Kari provided, and land a heavy hitter. River, use Liquidation!" I cried, and just as I asked, River found his center again, and from his tiny beak came a blast of water so large, and so powerful, the beast stumbled back before kneeling to the ground weakly. River did a couple somersaults in the air before doing a mid air spin, blipping it's watery do to the side as it looked down at me. I happily outstretched my arms to him as he landed, and I happily spun him around before bringing him to my chest giggling, "That was GORGEOUS, River!" "An absolute ten for elegance, AND strength!" Kari fawned, holding up a thumb as Vættir wiggled in agreement. "Quax! Quaxly!" River replied, flipping it's hair again, and I pecked him on the side of the face before tickling his tummy. "KLA-A-A-AW!" The Titan roared again, and leapt up to the Cliffside before scuttling it's way up to the plateau above as Kari said, "It's recognized us! It's given us the okay to take it on for real!" "Cool!" I breathed as I watched it disappear over the ledge. Kari recalled Vættir, and suggested, "River fought quite valiantly, and deserves some rest." I nodded in agreement as I recalled River to his ball, and we trekked our way up the canyon path to see the Titan standing before another cliff wall. It brought back it's mighty claw, and with a hard swing, it burst through to reveal a cavern before reaching in to pull out a glowing herb. "Whoa! Look, Kari!" I said, pointing as it ate, and Kari was equally taken aback by the beautiful, glowing herb as the Titan finished it off, and turned it's attention back to us. "KLA-A-A-AW!" It exclaimed, and a pink aura emitted from it as Kari warned, "Get ready! It just got a power boost from whatever it ate, and it's ready for a REAL battle!" "Right! Come, my sweet flower, and show them your beauty. Daisy, I choose you!" I said, throwing out my Pokéball to let out my Deerling. "Lilemoore! Grace us with your radiance, and aid Daisy in this trial of worthiness!" Kari said, throwing out her Hopip. "Hop-Pip-Pip!" It cried, getting ready beside my darling Daisy when I heard a familiar voice say, "Well look at you! You found the Stony Cliff Titan!" We turned to find Arven, running to join us as Kari huffed, "It's about time! You missed the test!" "T-Test?" Arven asked, confused as the Titan roared, reclaiming our attention. "Never mind that! Arven, we need you!" I cried, and he nodded as he took his place between Kari and I. "I'm gonna use a Pokémon that I just found, to take this monster down. Go! Shellder!" "Eh?!" I exclaimed, surprised by what he had said. "How bold, and SUPER reckless!" Kari scolded, shaking her head in shame. "It may not look much, but this lil' guy can serve anyone on the half shell! Go, Shellder, and use water gun!" Arven called, and as he commanded, the Shellder summoned water to it's mouth, and spat a weak stream at the Titan, leaving Kari embarrassed, and myself confused. We looked back to Arven, disappointed as he let out an awkward laugh and rubbed the back of his neck. The Titan, furious, slammed it's claw down onto the poor dear, and greatly weakened the Shellder before pulling back, and roaring. "Go! Lilemoore! Use your might to defend poor Shellder from this Titan's wrath!" Kari exclaimed, and Lilemoore put itself between the Shellder and the Stone Cliff Titan as it kept wailing on them with it's massive claws! "Daisy! Wrap yourself in a leafy cyclone and send it spiraling towards that bully; Razor Leaf!" I cried, coming to Lilemoore's aid. Daisy galloped into action, jumping up onto the claw of the Titan with her powerful legs as she encased her entire body with leaves, and with a loud cry sent it spiraling towards the giant. It roared in pain as it stumbled back, and Kari cried, "Lilemoore! Quadruple the damage by adding YOUR Razor Leaf to Spirit's Daisy's Razor Leaf!" Kari cried. Mustering her strength, Lilemoore flew into the air around us, and she too encased her body in leaves before shooting directly at the giant, making it stumble further! "KLA-A-A-AW! KLA-A-W-A-A-A-H!" It screamed, and once the two relented, Arven decided to finish the thing off with another Water Gun. I combined my Daisy's Leaf Blade to add some extra power behind Shellder's weakened Water Gun, making the creature screech before making it faint to the ground. Kari ran up to the creature before Arven and I could stop her, and she kneeled down to the creature before gently setting her forehead against the Titan's shell, and gently trilling. Before our eyes, the Titan began to shrink, and my Pokédex ringed, "Klawf has been added to your Pokédex!" ""Klawf"?" I asked, pulling out my phone as Arven looked over my shoulder, and sure enough the photo matched the look of the Titan we JUST defeated. "Wait, so it was just a jumbo sized Klawf? Not really legendary if you ask me." Arven said, closing his eyes in thought. Once the Klawf had regained consciousness, it shook itself before scuttling away from Kari, making her smile as she waved it farewell. Coming back towards us, she announced, "The gods smile at our triumph here, and the strength that was given. They honor us in song for honoring such an opponent; as rightfully deserved on both ends!" "I dunno what songs or gods you're on about, but that WAS a mighty fine battle if I could say so myself!" Arven boomed cheerfully as Kari recalled Lilemoore, and thanked her. I recalled Daisy, and Arven his Shellder before we made our way into the den. Deeper.... Deeper... Deeper in we went through the Cliffside until Arven gasped, "LOOK!" He ran ahead into a massive opening, and the two of us bolted to keep up with him before beholding the sight of a beautiful, fantastical plant that emitted a pink glow. "Oooooohhhhh!" I breathed, captivated by the beautiful herb as I slowed to a stop beside Arven. "WOW!" Kari gasped, also gobsmacked by the beautiful plant as Arven read an excerpt from the Violet book. "The sweet Herba Mystica," he began, "aids in digestion, stimulates appetite, and cures stomach aches. One who eats this Herb will find their gut health improves tremendously!" "It's quite a beauty! I wonder, Arven, if you may let me have a single leaf off it's stalk?" Kari asked, looking towards him hopefully. "Hm? Why do you want a single leaf from it? We're gonna eat it together!" Arven said, but Kari slumped her shoulders in disappointment as she looked to the ground, making Arven feel guilty. "Alright... You may have ONE leaf!" Arven sighed, and Kari brightened up as she threw her arms around him. "Oh, thank you! I'm so happy!" Kari said, releasing him to go collect her single leaf. Kari was strange indeed, being happy over a plant leaf, but I suppose it was just one of the things she was taught to appreciate by her people as she tucked the leaf into her bag gingerly. Arven quickly got to work, prepping the mysterious herb into a sandwich, and he set up a picnic setting before handing me a piece of metal. I looked up at him curiously, and raised a brow as he explained, "I call it a Titan badge! Not something of a credited source for the league, but something I thought would be a cool reward for you." "O-Oh... Thank you!" I said, and Arven began passing around sandwiches when my bag shook again! I turned to find Miraidon next to me, and it eyeballed my sandwich at first before sniffing lightly, and licking its metallic chops. "Hmph! What does THAT thing want?" Arven grumbled, and my Miraidon licked it's metal lips again before coming closer, and I held up my food to it as I asked, "Would you like some?" I quickly got my answer when Miraidon took the sandwich in my hand, and snatched it from me as I shrieked, making Kari giggle as Arven exclaimed, "Hey! I made that for you!" "S-Sorry Arven... I didn't think it was THAT hungry!" I replied as Kari tapped my shoulder, and handed half of hers. "I hope you realize that's all there is." Arven huffed, looking over at it in disdain as Kari replied, "A chieftess looks after her clan, and Miraidon is no exception. Right, Spirit?" Kari began, looking towards me as I gave a desicive nod in return. "Aww, c'mon! Now you two are making ME look like a jerk." After Miraidon was finished, it perked itself up, and something began to happen to it as it kicked into the air! "Whoa! Something happened to Miraidon!" I exclaimed, eyes wide in shock as Arven cheered, "Wow! These Herbs are REALLY living up to their name!" After supper with Arven, he had us scoot along our merry way so that he could clean up, and the two of us thanked him as we made our way from the cave, all of us happy and full. "Arven is an EXCELLENT sandwich maker, AND culinary genius at work! Prehaps I should invite him to make a feast worthy of even Director Clavell someday." Kari replied, deep in thought. "I'm sure he'd LOVE the idea, Kari!" I replied when I heard a chirp from in front of us. Adjusting my eyes to the darkness outside, I could see the glimmer of blue from about six feet away; smiling wide I greeted, "Hey look! It's the Rookidee from earlier! See? It's got the flower it gave me in it's beak." I pointed as the adorable bird Pokémon settled in front of me, and set the flower at my feet before doing a happy dance, and chirping, "Dee! Dee-Dee-Rook!" "Awww, did you fly all this way to give me another flower?" I asked, and the Rookidee hopped it's way up to me as it nestled itself on my shoe again. "I know THAT behavior anywhere!" Kari laughed as I keeled down to pet the Rookidee, and I asked, "Hm? What is it doing, then?" "It's saying it wants to be with YOU, Spirit! Think of it; you took time from your day to make sure it was as healthy as a pin, and give it your endless kindness. It has MUCH to be grateful to you for!" Kari explained, and my jaw fell open in shock as my face began to heat up. It was.... Choosing me...? I felt my heart become lighter than the air it glided through, and honored as I asked, "A-Are you POSITIVE you're alright with me catching you?" The Rookidee nodded in response, and so I readied a ball in my hand before tapping it lightly atop it's head. Once it was caught and registered to my dex, Kari clapped her hands happily as she said, "Congratulations on your new friend, Spirit!" "I guess it puts me one above you on our little race." I replied, putting it in my bag with a smile. We looked at a map to see where we were closest to, and it turned out that we were close to a place called "Artazon"; a place that Nemona registered a Gym at. We ultimately decided that we would stop and camp on Kari's terms, as she had the means of a tent and sleeping arrangement before heading off to challenge my first Gym, and my opponent: the Grass Type leader Brassius...