Thread: Forty Songs, Five Regions: A Loremaster's Tale (Episode 18: A Song of Thunder)

@Gastly's Mama, @AetherX, @Johnny Gaddar, @Wes118



Episode 7: The Song of the Mountain


"There it is..." I smiled to Liana and Delphi as we approached the majestic mountain that loomed in the distance. "Mt. Moon."

[Wow...] Delphi was impressed.

[This was definitely worth leaving Pewter at the crack of dawn for!] Liana agreed before leading the way inside the caves that wound through the mountain. We knew that one of them led the way into the deepest part of the mountain, where the Clefairies lived--the question was, which one?

The fluttering of Zubat wings startled Delphi. [C-could you maybe weave one of your tales to keep my mind off of Zubats attacking me?]

I looked up at the cave ceiling to discover hundreds of Zubats hanging above us, asleep. I wasn't sure why Dephi was afraid of Zubats, considering she had an advantage over them. Probably too many scary movies, I thought as I admired some of the formations in the walls.

[Don't worry, Delphi! I'll keep the Zubats away from you!] Liana assured the shaking Espeon as I carefully made my way down a ledge.

I thought for a moment for a good tale to calm Delphi, then began "In a village far from here, there lived a girl named Alima--despite her name meaning "strong" in her people's language, she was very shy and easily frightened."

[Afraid of one thing or afraid of everything?] Delphi asked, piqued.

"Everything." I replied before continuing "When she asked her parents why they had named her that, they told her that they hoped she would grow into a strong young lady that wasn't afraid to face her fears. She asked her relatives, friends and neighbors why she had been given a "strong" name when she was hardly strong, and they all said the same thing--they had all hoped she would become a strong and brave young lady."

[So why did you name me the name you did?] Now Delphi was curious.

"You are named for a place where it was said one that could intercede before the Legendaries lived long ago." I explained. "And just like that oracle, you can see the future--only you don't speak in riddles that often." I thought a moment as to where I was in my tale, then continued. "Alima thought about what her family and friends had said, and decided that in order to become strong and brave, she needed to learn how to face her fears. So late one night, while everyone else was asleep, she packed up her belongings and set out into the world in hopes she would overcome her fears."

[And then?] Liana asked as she noticed some sparkling silver dust on the pathway.

"Alima made camp on the plains that night, and as she looked up at the glittering stars above her, she promised herself she would not be afraid. She dozed off not long after midnight, but was soon jolted awake by a pack of Mightyenas howling at the moon in the distance." I continued as I also noticed the silvery dust on the ground.

A pop of a Poke Ball snapped me from my tale. [Mightyenas? Where?] Ayra asked, assuming a defensive pose as she looked around the rocky crags and ledges, looking for the supposed Mightyenas.

[Oh, Ayra--Kenna's just trying to keep Delphi calm so she won't worry about Zubats the whole way through here.] Liana assured Ayra before asking me [You were saying?]

"She did not run away, but instead approached the sound..." I continued as I carefully climbed an outcropping. "telling herself 'I am not afraid...I am strong.'"

[I am not afraid of you, Zubats..I am strong....] Delphi mused. [I am not afraid of you, Zubats...I am strong...]

Ayra, meanwhile, was interested in the silver dust. [Strange...what is this stuff?]

I just continued the tale as we passed a small lake that had formed in a bowl-like rock formation. "Alima walked on until she saw the sun rise the next morning--and when she saw the pinks and golds of the dawn, she knew she had survived the first night--maybe she was becoming a little stronger, but she also knew that one night was not enough to overcome her fear. She walked on until she came to a village. At first she was afraid--she did not know anyone there, and who was she to think they treated strangers as enemies?"

[So what did she do?] Liana asked.

"She shook off the uncomfortable feeling, reminding herself "I am not afraid...I am strong." I replied, noticing Ayra's interest in the silver dust scattered all over the path.

[This dust...I have never seen it here before] Ayra mused. [Could it be Moon Stone dust?]

"I wouldn't be surprised--the Geodudes here often eat them for food." I told Ayra as we walked past a vaguely plant-shaped formation, where a colony of Geodudes were feasting on some glittering silver stones and making more of the dust.

[What did Alima see in the village?] Delphi reminded me of my tale as we waled past the Geodudes.

"Alima walked to the town square, where the village elders were gathered. When one of them saw Alima approaching, they asked 'What are you doing here?' 'I am only a traveler learning to become strong and brave.' Alima said. The elders laughed at her, saying that bravery could not be found where it didn't exist."

[Huh?] Delphi was confused as she hopped over a rock.

"Alima asked the elders just what they had meant, and the head elder sighed--their village was under siege by a horrible monster." I continued.

[Speaking of horrible monsters, I think I see something worse than that up ahead!" Liana cried.

"What?" I ran ahead to another fork in the path, where Liana was pointing out a convoy of trucks and other vehicles. "Odd...who would want to camp inside the mountain?"

[Look again!] Liana pleaded.

I looked again at one of the tents and some of the trucks, and gasped at the R emblem prominently displayed. A sick feeling welled up in my stomach--Team Rocket couldn't possibly have returned--could they?

To Be Continued...

@AetherX, @Johnny Gaddar, @Wes118, @Gastly's Mama

Episode 8: Team Rocket's Song

"Come on! Those Clefairies have to be here somewhere!" I heard a female voice over the din of truck engines and cranes.

[Hear that? The Rockets are back, and they want the Clefairies!] Liana told me as I led her, Delphi, and Ayra behind a rock overlooking the camp.

[Either that, or they're hoping a Clefairy will lead them to what remains of the Moon Stone.] Ayra suggested as she watched the various vehicles come and go through the odd camp, directed by a black haired girl clad in the typical black Rocket uniform. The R emblem on the shirt of the uniform signaled she was not a grunt (their outfits would be completely black, with no decor), but she was nowhere near the power and prestige of the four admins that comprised the inner circle of the notorious Giovanni (they wore silver outfits with an eleborate R emblem on the shirt) My only other theory surmised she was an envoy, and either reported to one of the admins or Giovanni himself.

[Come on, Kenna, we have to do something!] Liana pleaded. [The Clefairies could be in danger!]

Liana's squeak got the envoy's attention. "Who's there? If you're planning on saving the Clefairies, I at least want to see who the intruder looks like before I blast them away by the power of Team Rocket!"

I emerged from behind the rock. "Here I am--Kenna Devine, Emerald Loremaster, at your service."

"A Loremaster, huh? I was expecting some Master Ash wannabe or contest superstar." the Rocket smirked. "What do you do all day? Tell hokey fairy tales to Pokemon?"

"The lore of this world isn't hokey, and some of them are not fairy tales!" I snapped back. "It is part of our culture and our heritage!"

"Okay then, storyteller--if you can tell me why we should leave the Moon Stone alone, we'll pack up and go, no questions." the Rocket proposed. "Fail, and face the consequences."

Now, I could've just told the Rocket what the scientists thought of the Moon Stone--that it was a meteor from a distant galaxy (and that some scientists thought it brought Pokemon to the world) But a Loremaster had a different, and a bit more romantic, explanation--it was a token of the moon guardian Cresselia's love for her family when she went to live with Lugia in the moon.

I sighed and began the tale. "You may not know this, but the Pokemon Cresselia actually started out as a human girl in a faraway land."

"Oh boy..." the Rocket sighed.

"Many suitors came, yet Cresselia rejected them all for one reason or another." I continued. "Her grandpa worried that she would be left alone with no one to care for her when he went to join Arceus in the heavens. So he asked him who she would marry, and she replied that he would be worthy of her love."

"Aw, twue wuv...." the Rocket sarcastically cooed. "That's just a hokey fairy tale anyway, and not the explanation I was looking for!"

[Let me at'em! Let me at'em!] Liana tried to charge at the Rocket, but I held her back by her tail. [I'll teach her a thing or two!]

"So, you wanna fight to save the Clefairies?" the Rocket asked as she fished out a Poke Ball. "Fine, we'll fight!" With that, she heaved the Poke Ball skyward. "Kurai, let's go!"

[A Zubat!] Delphi shuddered as a tiny blue and purple bat emerged from the Poke Ball.

"Hm--so your Espeon's scared of Zubats?" the Rocket noted, stifling a giggle as she watched Delphi try to run from the Zubat she had summoned. "Scaredy-Meowth! Scaredy Meowth!" she taunted, as if enjoying the frightened look on Delphi's face.

[Stop scaring my friend!] Liana retorted before charging at the Zubat, forming a Thundershock all the while. [EEE-YAH!!!!] she cried as she fired the attack, engulfing the Zubat in an explosion of yellow bolts that lit up the cave.

The Rocket, meanwhile, seemed unfazed that her Zubat had fallen in one shot. "Whoa--pretty impressive battling skills for a storyteller..." she mused as she recalled the fainted Zubat.

"My team knows how to look out for one another." I explained.

[Is that all you got?] Liana confidently asked the Rocket. [Who's next to be zapped?]

"Well, since you asked so nicely, little Pikachu..." the Rocket smiled as she grabbed another Poke Ball. "How about you play with my partner, Shadow?" She then heaved the Poke Ball onto the ground, making a small black dog Pokemon with bone-like appendages form before Liana. "He's a good little Houndour, and loves to play with Pikachus."

Liana swallowed hard as the Houndour approached her, growling all the while. [I have a bad feeling about this, Kenna...]

[AURA SPHERE!] Ayra leapt before the snarling Houndour and fired a blue ball of energy at it, knocking it backwards.

"What?" The Rocket had clearly not expected Ayra to join the fight.

"Like I said before, my team knows how to look out for each other." I explained as Ayra threw the Houndour off her shoulder--despite being slightly wounded by the Bite, she still looked ready for more. Yet I also knew she was a double edged sword in this match--since Houndour was part Dark, she had a slight advantage. At the same time, Houndour being part Fire also put Ayra at a huge risk, since she was also part Steel.

I looked over at Ayra, who was still rubbing her Bite wound. "You don't have to fight any more if you don't want to--I can send in Undine to finish the job."

[No--the Rocket threatened Liana, and it is my job to defend her!] Ayra replied before her palm began glowing blue. [Take this for threatening my friend! FORCE PALM!]

The Rocket winced at the THWACK!!! of the Force Palm impacting, and watched in horror as her Houndour went flying. "How...how did you get so strong?" she stammered as her swirly-eyed Houndour landed at her feet seconds later.

"We've traveled all around the world and met many Pokemon together as we've shared our 'hokey fairy tales'" I replied.

"Okay...you win for today..." the Rocket sighed. "But next time we meet, it won't be pretty!" With that, she called to the grunts. "Abort mission!"

[We did it!] Delphi cheered. [They're running away!]

[I had to do something when she scared you with that Zubat, since you are my friend.] Liana assured Delphi as she watched the Rocket vehicles speed away.

[Likewise, I decided to protect you from that Houndour, at the risk of being burnt.] Ayra replied.

[I'm proud of both of you...] Delphi smiled as the ruby on her head glinted. [My vision came true--you guys saved the Clefairies of the mountain!]

[We did?] Liana gasped--in the excitement of the battle with the Rocket, she had forgotten all about the Clefairies. [Let's go see them and have them thank their heroes properly!]

To Be Continued....

@Gastly's Mama, @Johnny Gaddar, @AetherX, @Wes118


Episode 9: The Song of the Moon Stone


Liana gasped as we emerged from a tunnel leading out of the mountain into a rocky alcove. [This is it...Moonstone Grove!]

[Where the Moon Stone lies and a secret way out of the mountain.] Ayra added as she admired the flowers dotting the crags and the small river flowing through the area. Had it not been for the rocks in the area, we could have very well have been in a forest.

[It's beautiful!] Delphi commented over the large silver stone in a field that glittered in the moonlight.

Just then, a tiny pink blur caught my attention. Piqued, I fumbled for my Pokedex as more of the pink creatures came running from holes in the crags.

"Clefairy, the fairy Pokemon." my Pokedex explained. "It is said that happiness will come to those who see a gathering of them dancing under a full moon."

Excited, Liana began knocking on the three unopened Poke Balls. [Undine! Phoenix! Kitsune! You HAVE to see this!]

Undine was first to emerge in the river. [Amazing...I never dreamed I would see the legendary Moon Stone!] she gasped before a group of Clefaries ran up to her and begged for a ride.

Kitsune giggled as some other Clefairies and a few Cleffas snuggled in her fur. [Be patient, everyone--I can only allow a few at a time.] she assured a few other Cleffas.

"Aw..." I smiled as I scanned a Cleffa that had fallen asleep in Kitsune's fur.

"Cleffa, the starshape Pokemon." the Pokedex began. "On nights with many shooting stars, they can be seen dancing in a ring. They dance until daybreak, when they quench their thirst with the morning dew."

Just then, Delphi spotted a shooting star and closed her eyes. [I wish Kenna becomes a great Loremaster...]

[I wish that Kenna does well against Misty...] Liana mused as another shooting star streaked by.

[I wish for peace for humans and Pokemon everywhere.] Ayra blissfully sighed as she meditated in a patch of flowers, the flashes of the shooting stars and the light of the full moon creating an illusion like fireworks.

[I wish these Clefairies are kept safe for all time.] Undine made her wish as she waited to take a new batch of Clefairies and Cleffas down the river.

[I wish Kenna performs before Ash himself one day...] Kitsune wished, lovingly licking a Cleffa that was bundled in her fur.

[I wish I was the strongest Swellow the world has ever known!] Phoenix triumphantly screeched as he took off into the shower of stars with a few Cleffas on his back.

Liana smiled. [Your turn, Kenna--what do you wish for?]

"The same wish I always make on a shooting star..." I smiled. "I wish that we stay together for a long, long time."

[So these are the ones that so bravely defended the Moon Stone from the black ones...] a Clefairy gasped as she looked me over. [You're different than most humans that come this way--you're not here to catch one of us?]

"No...the only thing I want to catch is a good story." I assured the Clefairy. "I'm only resting here before I go on to Cerulean City in the morning."

[Then, then, if you're a storyteller, please stay with us tonight!] the Clefairy begged, excited.

[Goodness, what's all the excitement out here?] a slightly deeper female voice asked.

The Clefairies and the Cleffas gasped. [Queen Celina!] they gasped as a Clefable wearing an eleborate headress skipped across a pool to meet us. They bowed as she approached the Moon Stone, said what I assumed was a prayer, then faced us. [Might I know the name of the one that saved our sacred stone?]

"My name is Kenna Devine, and I am an Emerald rank Loremaster seeking to assemble Kanto's Star of Knowledge." I explained.

[A storyteller!] Celina gasped. [Please, grace us with one of your stories.]

I thought for a moment and reached for my bag. "Once a man hired a boy skilled in woodworking--I'll call him Liron." I began as I fished Diana from my bag. "Liron was well known and well liked among the townsfolk, but what they liked about him most of all was his skill in playing the whistle." I paused to allow the Clefairies and the Cleffas to see the tiny gold flute with a green mouthpiece. "It was probably no bigger than this whistle, made out of a gold plated piece of tin, but when Liron played it, people would stop what they were doing, if only for a little while, and listened to him play all kinds of beautiful songs and spirited dances--one of which sounded something like this." With that, Liana led the clapping as I played "The Thunderbolt Reel" for effect.

"While at first, the landowner tolerated Liron's flute, over time, he grew annoyed by it." I continued. "Finally he snapped from his rage, and beat Liron so badly even the whistle was broken." I delibrately blew a squeaky note for effect.

[That wasn't very nice!] Celina was appalled at what the landowner did.

[Did he run away?] a Cleffa asked.

"Oh yes--Liron ran out of the house, out of town, and all the way to a nearby village, where his grandpa lived." I continued. "He tearfully told his grandpa what the landowner had done to him, right down to his whistle being broken..."

The Clefairies and the Cleffas listened with rapt attention as I told the rest of the tale--the landowner asking for a shiny Buneary, Liron outwitting the landowner's sons and wasting three thousand gold pieces, culminating in Liron finally confronting the landowner (they really got a kick out of my using the whistle theme from Zelda when Liron summons all the Pokemon).

I played Diana a lot that night--she made the perfect accompaniment to the Clefairies, the Cleffas, and Celina dancing around the Moon Stone that night against the backdrop of shooting stars and a full moon...

To Be Continued...

@Gastly's Mama, @Johnny Gaddar, @AetherX, @Wes118


Episode 10: The Song of the Dancing Water Flowers

We left Mt. Moon early the next morning and arrived in Cerulean not long afterward--Liana was enthralled by all the flowers, and Phoenix enjoyed getting a chance to fly while it was still relatively cool.

It was quiet in Cerulean when we arrived, so after resting at the Pokemon Center and gathering supplies, we found ourselves in the western end of the entertainment district, where the Gym was located. Liana noticed a picture of a group of stylized humans swimming together in a rainbow "sea" of music notes, stars, and stylized Pokemon hanging on a signboard. [Cerulean Spring Exhibition?]

Delphi emerged from her Poke Ball with a pop. [The Cerulean Sisters are famous for their skill in synchronized swimming and other forms of water performance, so when they're not battling aspiring trainers or listening to aspiring Loremasters, they train kids and adults from all around how to perform and play games in the water.]

[Games? What kinds of games?] Liana asked. [What are the rules?]

Delphi ignored Liana's question as she read over the poster some more. [In addition to the Sisters themselves, their attendants and their students will perform as well...but it's pretty rare to see Misty in any of these performances--she'd rather play active games and battle than kick up her legs underwater]

[I wonder how a human can hold their breath that long..] Liana mused as we started off for the Gym, where a line of people was beginning to form outside.

We were given a program and shown to the main pool, where the bleachers were beginning to fill with other kids, parents, and other spectators. Once I found a seat towards the middle (well away from the clearly marked splash area), I began reading the program.

[Hey, Undine...take a look at this pool!] Liana whispered as she watched more people file in.

Undine emerged from her Poke Ball and looked around the slightly blue tinged room in awe. [Wow...this place is huge!] she gaped as she admired the ribbon and Cascade Badge print trim that wound around the tops of the walls. [I presume that is the schedule of events?] she asked.

I nodded. "First, the Sisters will welcome everyone, and then the teams of younger kids will perform, followed by the teams of older kids. Then each of the sister's attendants will perform as a team, followed by the Sisters themselves doing a series of short routines before each one performs with their attendants. They'll then all do a routine together to wrap things up."

[I think it's starting!] Delphi called as the Cascade Badges lining the tops of the walls flashed blue three times, quieting the chatter.

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls...the Sensational Sisters of Cerulean welcome you to this year's Spring Exhibition." a female announcer began. "Out of courtesy and safety for our teams, we ask that you please refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, or using devices at any time during the show. If you need to leave the pool area, exits are at the sides and back." A Cascade Badge light shone on a side door marked EXIT to illustrate this. "Thank you for your support and cooperation, and enjoy the show."

At this, a soft harp and string melody began as the Cascade Badge lights played across the water for a moment before a male announcer cut on. "And now, please welcome your Cerulean Sisters!" Applause rang out as a blonde haired girl in a red jumpsuit, a blue haired girl in a teal jumpsuit, and a pink haired girl in a yellow jumpsuit walked out onto the deck from a hidden door in the left wall.

Delphi spotted a mic by the blonde haired girl's left ear. [Lilly's the one that emcees shows like this, so she usually has a waterproof mic on.] she explained to Liana.

"Thank you, thank you, and welcome to our annual Spring Meet!" Lilly announced to the cheers of the crowd. "We've all been working hard on these routines over these last several months, so to all the parents, supporters, and fans from around the world, thank you!" More cheers went up in reply. "So let's kick things off by welcoming our young teams to the pool, starting with my team, the Sea Princesses!"

[Aw...] Undine smiled as a group of about ten to twelve girls about six to nine years old walked into the pool area and crowded around Lily.

[How cute!] Delphi agreed as she admired the sparkling electric blue bathing suits with a large silver star on them that each child wore.

"I'm so proud of my team for a great start this year--they took gold at the Cerulean Young Sync meet in March, and silver in the 10 and under class at the Kanto Invitational last month." Lilly continued to some applause. "Later on this summer they will perform at the Aqua Rainbow Exhibition and compete in the Indigo Water Games in July, but for now, they are going to swim to 'Oriental Dreams'." Applause went up as the girls took their position at the shallow end of the pool.

Liana watched, mesmerized, as the girls dove in, guided by a quiet Oriental melody over the speakers. [Beautiful...] she commented she she watched the mesmerizing patterns and kicks of the various arms and legs in the water.

[I wish Ayra was out watching this...] Delphi agreed as the girls traced hypnotic patterns in the air with their hands, all expertly timed to themselves and the music.

Then, the slow dream-like music gave way to a festive parade song, the girls' legs kicking feverishly in time with the trills and runs of a bamboo flute. After a few more hand movements, they set up for their finale: forming a flower bud in the center of the pool with their legs, and then making the flower open over the flute's last triumphant flourish, to thunderous applause.

After the pool was cleared, Daisy was next to speak. "While my team hasn't been quite so busy as my sister's teams, they've had a strong start to the season in their own right--being voted Best Rising Team at the Cerulean Water Games earlier this month, and a strong top 10 overall finish at the Kanto Invitational. I have great hopes they will do well at Aqua Rainbow and the Indigo Water Games alongside my sisters' teams!" Cheers went up at this. "So on that note, please welcome my team, the Li'l Undines, to the pool!"

A pop of a Poke Ball drowned out the cheers as Ayra materialized in an empty seat next to me and smiled at the next group of kids making their way to the shallow end of the pool. [They look so cute...] she cooed as she admired each girl's green, black, and silver suits.

[Don't let their cuteness fool you, their moves are very nice!] Liana commented as a spritely Celtic melody began over the speakers, prompting the girls to dive in and began forming a circle. The highlight for Liana? The elaborate legwork that almost looked like dancing during the fiddle and whistle duet in the middle of the song.

Violet was next to speak as the pool was cleared. "My team, the Mini Lumineons--or as the girls affectionately call themselves, the Mini-Lumis..." Some laughter went up at this. "also had a wonderful start to the season--bronze in the 10 and under team at the Cerulean Water Games, and an artistic and technical award at the Kanto Invitational. With Aqua Rainbow and the Indigo Water Games coming up this summer, I'm excited to see where their artistic flair amd rock solid teamwork will take them next. So, please give it up for the Mini Lumis!" Applause went up as a third group of kids in bright green, blue, and yellow suits arrived and made their way to the shallow end.

[Arriba!] Delphi cried as an upbeat Latin melody blared over the speakers and the girls dove in. I shot her a Look, so she settled in and quietly yet happily watched the elaborate patterns and circles the girls made with their hands and feet.

We watched the older kids and the attendant teams perform, but by the time it was time for the Sisters themselves to take to the water, they were getting a little antsy. [When's intermission?] Liana groaned.

Delphi, meanwhile, decided to vent her frustration in a more creative way--by singing the most sillest lyrics she could think of along with the music the Sisters were performing to. [When you're an opera star, with a huge repetoire, how do you please the crowd? Sing Verdi very loud!] she sang to the tune of "La donna e mobile". [You may appear aloof, but you must raise the roof! To keep the public wowed, sing Verdi very loud!]

[Study allegretto...] Liana joined in.

[Study Rigoletto...] Undine chimed in.

[Raise up your falseeeeeeeeee-to...] Ayra joined in in a mock operatic tenor.

[and sing Verdi very loud!] all four Pokemon chimed in. That was as far as they got before I shot them another Look.

The second routine wasn't much better--Liana began singing to the tune of Habanera [First I tiptoed across the floor, and then walked quietly out the bedroom door. I did not dare turn on the light, though it was dark in the middle of the night. Everyone else was fast asleep, I held my breath--didn’t even make a peep.]

[Step by step I went down the stairs, I passed the den and the old upholstered chairs.] Delphi joined in. [My heart pounded, I heard it beat. I knew the danger but knew it would be sweet.

And I knew I could not turn back, I saw the kitchen--there was my midnight snack!]

[A piece of cake!] Undine and Ayra interjected.

[A piece of pie, I felt so happy that I thought I’d cry.] Liana sang.

[Potato chips!] Undine and Ayra joined in again.

[and popcorn too, a little ice cream and some cheese fondue.] Delphi added the next verse.

[We didn't care!] Undine and Ayra chorused.

[How much we ate, we put some jelly donuts on our plate...] Liana and Delphi sang.

Then all four Pokemon sang together [We ate all we could eat that night, and we couldn’t eat any more, even one more bite!] as the routine ended. They took a bow to those around them, but I just sighed--their singing was distracting me from enjoying the routines in the water.

[I get to lead this one...] Ayra announced as she sang along to the Pizzicato from Sylvia [You left the bathroom water dripping, Silvia...Into the sink it’s drip, drip dripping Silvia...Its so annoying, all that dripping, Silvia, Go turn the water off and stop the drip, drip, dripping Silvia!]

"I wish some certain Pokemon would stop sing, sing, singing..." I sighed.

Despite the Pokemon's impromptu additions to the program, we had a wonderful time at the Spring Meet--but I was even more excited--I was going to have my own private performance before Misty, the fourth Sister.

To Be Continued...

@Gastly's Mama, @Johnny Gaddar, @AetherX, @Wes118


Episode 11: Song of the Cascade


We arrived back at the Cerulean Gym the next morning and took the left hallway to another pool, where I could hear giggles and laughter of children inside.

The interior was the same as the main pool, save for no bleachers and a variety of chairs lining the pool, the majority of which were occupied by children clad in almost every (tasteful) style of swim trunks and bathing suits imaginable. A few other adults were present, either quietly observing the the children or relaxing.

[Should we come back later?] Delphi wasn't so sure how Misty would react to spectators observing her game time.

I was about to answer when Misty emerged from the girls locker room in all her red haired glory in a deep blue bathing suit. "Good morning, everyone! I have a few new games for us to try today, but before we play them, we have to get our bodies ready to swim. "So if you'll come join me in the water, we'll start our warm up routine."

There was a kind of orderly chaos as the children lined up at the pool entrance and stepped into the water. A few of the more lively ones just dove in and swam to meet Misty in the middle of the pool, but most of them just stepped in and paddled over to the pool center. Once all the children were present, an attendant sent a variety of colored kickboards over to the group--there were enough for each child to have one. There was some buzz in the crowd as the children speculated on why they were using the kick boards, but the majority just clutched them in their hands as they waited for Misty's instructions.

"Everyone have a kick board?" Misty asked, while frantically looking for raised hands. "Okay...you've done really well with swimming the length of the pool, so today is your one lap swim test--to the other end and back again. Just one step closer to our final goal of five laps underwater."

The children took their kick boards, climbed from the water, and followed Misty to a starting block. "The rules are the same as your above water and underwater length tests, only this time, you're going twice as far." Misty explained. "You'll all be getting a star on your achievement charts for completing this test, but the one with the overall best time will get a little something special." Excited whispers wafted through the crowd at this. "When it's your turn on the starting block, wait until the scoreboard resets and you hear the whistle blow before diving in--the clock will start when you've hit the water, and stop when you've touched the button below the starting block--questions?" Misty asked before taking a whistle and settling in a pool chair next to the starting block.

The children didn't say anything, but obediently lined up at the starting block to wait their turn to swim, save for the black haired girl that was first in line.

The scoreboard on the right wall blipped to life and displayed 0:00:00 in blue digital numbers as the girl tucked her kick board beneath her torso. "Okay....ready?" Misty asked the girl. She nodded. "Set..." She then blew the whistle, prompting the girl to dive in and the clock to start.

[They're good...] Undine noted as the girl effortlessly swam the required lap with a time of 1:47:23.

[Of course they have, assuming they've been properly trained to swim.] Ayra assured Undine as one by one, each child swam a lap.

We watched as Misty and the children played a variant of "Jellicent" (in which whoever was caught by the Jellicent was out, but the last child to be caught became the Jellicent for the next round), "Underwater Tag", "Find the Bottle", and a number of other water games.

After the children had left some hours later and Misty re-emerged from the locker room in her normal clothes, her Azurill spotted my Star of Knowledge and squeaked excitedly. "Oh, so a Loremaster's here..." she smiled at the little blue mouse before addressing me. "I take it you want to try for a Point of Creativity?"

"Yes." I replied.

After introducing myself to Misty, I was led into a backstage area that led out onto a stage overlooking a pool. "While I go find the other girls, take all the time you need to get ready." she assured me.

[What are you going to perform for Misty and her sisters?] Ayra wondered as I retrieved Ashi from a pocket.

"Remember that tale about the peasant with the harmonica I was learning before we left for Pallet?" I asked. "That's the one, because the girl uses a creative solution to get out of a bind."

[I thought it was a shepherd boy with a flute...] Undine mused.

A pop of a Poke Ball startled Liana, but she giggled when she saw it was just Kitsune. [I've heard variants where the aforementioned shepherd plays the harmonica, the girl plays the flute, and a number of other instruments...]

[Pity Kenna can't play fiddle...] Delphi mused.

{Who wants to bet that she would sound like fifty Meowths?] Liana whispered to Undine, who laughed at how terrible I would probably sound on the fiddle.

"Well, I would like to learn the fiddle one day." I assured her before walking onstage to meet the four Cerulean Sisters and some of their attendants.

"Welcome, Loremaster Kenna Devine." Misty began. "The rules here are easy--just tell us your best story."

"If it involves water or something to do with creativity, even better." Lilly added.

"So go nuts! Make us laugh, cry, or cheer." Daisy agreed.

"Do well, and one of these is yours." Violet showed me a blue Star Point lying on a pillow by her chair. The Azurill tried to grab it, but Misty shooed it away, leading to some awkward laughter.

I just smiled and began my tale. "There was once a girl whose family made a living growing Berries--I'll call her Portia. One day, Portia tried to keep the birds away from her crops, but many Berries ended up eaten. Her parents--who didn't really love her that much--yelled at her and drove her away into the night." Lilly was shocked as she dutifully wrote on a review sheet. "She ran all the way into a forest clearing, where she made a bed out of leaves and grass for the night.

Just then, a mage passed that way, and asked Portia what she was doing in the forest at night. Portia tearfully told the mage what had happened--the mage felt sorry for her, and not only let her sleep in the clearing, but gave her three magical gifts--a napkin that produced any food she would want..." I showed my audience a prop silk napkin. "a jewelry box that when opened, would produce a jewel..." I then showed my audience a small box with wave patterns--Daisy was the most impressed when I grabbed a fake sapphire from it. "and a harmonica that would make all that heard it dance with joy." I then produced Ashi from my pocket and set it aside with my other props on a table.

"Neat--a chromatic harmonica..." Misty mused when she saw Ashi's tuning knob glint in the bright light.

"What's the difference?" Violet asked.

"The little knob allows Kenna to play sharp and flat notes, so she can play in any key she wants." Lilly explained. "With a typical ten hole harmonica, you're stuck in one or two keys." Violet nodded and focused her attention back on the stage.

"Portia thanked the mage for his kindness, and set out for a town early the next morning." I continued as I walked along the stage. "It wasn't long until she came to the capital city of the land, where a great tournament was being held--the king had staked half of the royal treasury and--if the winner was female--his son the prince's hand in marriage." I then retrieved the prop box. "So Portia took her magic jewelry box, sold the jewels it produced..." Awed murmurs wafted through the crowd as I produced about six fake jewels from the box. "and used the money to buy Pokemon, armor, royal clothes, a retinue of servants, and many other things, saying she was a princess from a far away land. Needless to say, she won every match, and since she had read books on how to behave before royalty, no one had any idea that the princess from a far away land was really a peasant girl from the country."

"Somebody figured it out, right?" Daisy asked.

"That someone was the captain of the guard." I replied. "He complained that Portia was a fraud, and the king had her thrown in the dungeon despite her protests."

"Oh no!" Violet was worried about Portia. "Did she get out?"

"Actually..." I began as I retrieved the silk napkin. "She saw how thin the other prisoners looked, and commanded her magical napkin to create a feast fit for royalty." Cheers went up as I produced various prop food items from the napkin and arranged it so that it resembled a meal for five people. "The prisoners were amazed to have real food for a change, and the noise was so great, the jailer went and told the king what happened. The king offered to free Portia in return for the napkin, and Portia agreed, on the condition she was allowed out of the dungeon for a day, and had a chance to visit the prince for one night."

"But--" Misty started, but Lilly laid a hand on her shoulder, as if assuring her that everything would be okay and Portia would still have her gifts by the tale's end.

"During her day of freedom, Portia used her magic jewelry box to buy food for the prisoners and a fine ring as a gift for the prince." I went on. "The prisoners ate well for a second night, and Portia learned that the prince was prone to sickness--and he would only be healed if someone played a melody spirited enough to make even him dance."

"And then?" Daisy asked as she furiously wrote on her review sheet.

"Portia was taken back to the dungeon the next morning, so to pass the time, she took the enchanted harmonica and played all kinds of jigs, reels, waltzes, and polkas, making many of the prisoners, the castle servants, the royal court, and the prince dance." Misty led the clapping as I played "The Hearthome Pilgrim", two of the Cerulean Polkas, and "The Victorious Polka" on Ashi.

"Bravo!" Lilly led the applause when my set ended.

"She's good!" Daisy agreed.

"The king was amazed to see his son dance for the first time in years, and ordered Portia freed, in addition to returning her napkin." I concluded. "Portia and the prince fell in love, and were married not long after--and the people always told of the clever peasant girl that became a princess for years to come...so ends the tale of 'The Clever Peasant Girl'."

"Encore!" Violet led the applause as I took a bow.

"First of all, your usage of props was very nice! The set of tunes was a nice touch." Lilly began.

"My only suggestion..." Misty added. "is that you're careful enough to not lose the story amidst all the props, music, and costumes."

"While you did very well with all the stuff, just remember the story comes first. " Daisy agreed.

"Loremaster Kenna Devine...please accept this Star Point as thanks for your wonderful performance." Violet began as she took the blue point and pinned it on my sweater.

"May it remind you to keep your creativity flowing and create new tales to tell." Misty added as I took one last bow for the cheering crowd...

To Be Continued...

@Gastly's Mama, @Johnny Gaddar, @AetherX, @Wes118


Episode 12: The Song of the Cape


Although I'd had another successful performance, a nagging thought was still on my mind--who was that Rocket we'd met on Mt. Moon? Was she dangerous? What did she want? Was my family in Celadon in danger?

[Why the long face, Kenna?] Phoenix asked me as he perched on the bridge leading out to Cerulean Cape. [I haven't heard a peep or a note out of you since we left Cerulean.]

"I'm thinking about that Rocket on Mt. Moon..." I explained. "Just who was she?"

[I'm sure the Pokemon League has someone on the case looking for her.] Delphi assured me. [The League always gets their man--or woman.]

[Yeah--they must've sent Looker or someone like that out to find her!] Liana agreed.

"Thanks, guys..." I smiled as I heaved a huge sigh of relief. "I can always ask Looker about her--if we're lucky enough to find him."

[You know Looker--he turns up in the oddest places.] Ayra mused. [But we can also ask the cape's most famous resident for any leads, or for advice on how to approach Lt. Surge.]

[Of course, I was about to bring up Bill!] Kitsune smiled. [He would know of Rocket activity if he had reports of missing Pokemon, which he would then foward to Looker or someone like him.]

[Can we talk about something else? All this speculation about the Rockets is giving me the heebie jeebies...] Phoenix suggested as we emerged off the bridge and onto the cape--if we kept going eastward, we could arrive at Bill's house by sundown.

There were a lot of people on the cape that day, since it was warm and sunny--trainers out training their teams, families having picnics, and couples romantically looking out on the sea or taking a stroll arm in arm.

Just then, an auburn haired girl about six years old saw my Star of Knowledge glinting in the sun. "Hey, guys! A Loremaster's here!" The other children present abandoned their game of freeze tag and ran to meet me, all of them begging for a story.

"Hi, everyone..." I smiled as I led the children into a grassy area dotted with flowers. "Gather round and I'll be glad to tell you a story."

[You have a story in mind?] Phoenix asked as he perched in a tree.

"Sure I do--a Loremaster always has to be ready for an impromptu performance." I assured him as I sat down under the tree and watched the children gather around me.

Delphi's ruby glinted, forming a red-brown acoustic guitar. [Thought you'd like to have Maria for this show...and when you're done, you can always sing for tips.]

"Thanks, Delphi." I smiled as I took the guitar and started tuning it, thinking all the while about what kind of tale my audience would like.

Finally, an idea came to me--why not stick Master Ash in the role of an ancient trickster, a role traditionally played by the Pikachu Sorin, the wily Riolu Toru, or even a human trickster such as the Sage? But Ash would probably look out of place among kings and princesses, so rather than calling him by name, I would name this persona Esi.

"There was once a king who heard of many pranks played on the nobility by a crafty young man named Esi." I began as I played a calm melody. "He told his advisors that he had heard no one had yet outsmarted Esi--was that rumor true? His advisors replied that yes, it was true--those Esi was a commoner, he had enough wiles and wits to even outsmart a king."

"So what did the king do?" a boy asked.

"He disguised himself as a common man, and set out to the town where Esi lived." I replied. "He found Esi resting in his front yard from a hard day's work, and told him..." I tried my best Brock voice to represent the king, but it ended up sounding like I had a stuffy head. "I've heard the trickster Esi lives here."

"So they say..." I replied as Ash. He was a little easier to imitate for me, since it involved the comfortable section of my low range.

"I have heard many tales of his wiles, and wonder if they are true..." I continued as the king.

"I can say they are, for I am the Esi you seek." I replied in my Ash voice.

"I have heard you can trick anyone and everyone..." I challenged as the king. "But today you will not win, for no one has ever fooled me!"

"Is that so?" I asked as Esi. "I do not deny that you are a challenging opponent--I will need my handy bag of tricks for this--unless you fear even that!" The children laughed at this as I continued the interplay between the two personas:

"Get whatever bag you want, and be quick!"

"Oh, but my house is a long way from here--if I only had a Ponyta, I could be there and back in no time. But if I had to walk, I would take days and days and days--!"

"Never mind that! Just take my Ponyta and go!"

As myself, I continued as I played a quick interlude. "So Esi took the king's Ponyta and rode off down the path. "And the king waited..." I slowed down my melody. "and waited..." I slowed the song down some more. "and waited..." Giggles went up as my song slowed to a crawl. "As night fell, the king realized that Esi was not going to return..." I played a trumphant flourish as I concluded "He had been tricked!" The children laughed and applauded.

We spent several hours on the cape, singing songs and telling stories for tips--allowing to set aside my burning questions at least for one day.

To Be Continued...

Great work,LT.

Thanks--I'm having fun with Kenna and her team

@Gastly's Mama, @Johnny Gaddar, @AetherX, @Wes118


Episode 13: Bill's Song


After a productive evening singing and storytelling on the cape, we arrived at Bill's house just as the sky was beginning to darken and turn pink, orange, and yellow with the sunset. It wasn't a very elaborate house-just a small red brick house with a small flower and Berry garden close by.

I knocked at the door, and a male voice called "Coming!"

"Mind your manners, guys..." I whispered to Liana, Delphi, and Ayra as the door opened, framing Bill on the stoop. Judging from his disheveled brown hair and old Pokemon League T-shirt that was dotted with holes, he'd probably been doing yet another reorganization of his many Pokemon files.

"Good evening, miss." he smiled as he invited us inside the house, where sure enough, all kinds of papers, folders, marbles, books, and other odds and ends were strewn everywhere.
[You'd think he'd know how to keep a house clean...] Ayra muttered as she brushed aside a few books.

"Sorry about the mess--been making room in my paper files for information on Unova Pokemon." Bill explained. "Prof. Juniper's promised to e-mail me basic profiles on the complete Unova Pokedex, so I can write out a more detailed file as a paper backup if I lose the digital copy."

[That explains all the paper...] Liana mused.

"Well, my name is Kenna Devine, an Emerald rank Loremaster." I began. "I came mainly to see if you had any ideas for tales I could tell Lt. Surge."

"Pleased to meet you, Kenna." Bill replied as he cleared some paper off a desk. "While folklore starring Pokemon is some of what I collect when I build a Pokemon's profile, you have to remember this is a seasoned soldier you're telling to--while Lt. Surge does not deny the existence of magic--he did see spells when he served in the Red and Green War--you have to make the magic believeable in his eyes--so typical fairy tales aren't going to fly." After organizing the paper into a blue plastic binder marked "HOUEN POKEMON A-F", he continued. "If you don't mind my asking, what spurred you to become a Loremaster?"

"Well, I've always been fascinated by the stories of the Legendary Pokemon..." I began. "When I was little, my parents were very active volunteers at the Celadon soup kitchen--the Comfort Food Cafe. They would give the less fortunate a hot meal, and they would all talk with each other. As a four year old, I felt sorry for them--with so many coming from poor and broken families, it felt like all they knew was sadness, anger, and fear, and the Comfort Food Cafe was one bright spot of happiness for many of them."

"So what did you do?" Bill was interested now.

"I went through all my toys and rounded up what I hardly played with, then picked one of my favorite books, 'The Stubbron Pikachu'. I continued. "The kids were elated at the toys, and I read 'The Stubbron Pikachu' to them. My parents were touched at what I had done, and encouraged me to possibly look into storytelling full time. As I grew older, I kept giving the children toys and reading them stories, which then evolved into telling stories. On my tenth birthday, with my parent's permission, I applied and was accepted into Kanto's Order of Loremasters."

"You've chosen a very unique job here..." Bill explained. "Loremasters don't usually use Pokemon as anything other than a companion. At the same time, you also have the most important job, Pokemon or not."

"How so?" I asked.

"Trainers make a living battling, and Coordinators make a living dazzling in contests..." Bill replied. "Breeders work to ensure every species of Pokemon survives, and so on, but it's the Loremaster that keeps the memories of great trainers, coordinators and others--our history--alive."

"Hm..." I mused--I hadn't thought of storytelling like that before.

"Had it not been for Loremasters, the legend of Groudon and Kyorge, the prophecy of Lugia, the legend of Mt. Coronet, the tale of the brothers of Unova, and many others--they would all be lost." Bill added. "By sharing our world's history and folklore, you're keeping them alive so we don't forget them."

He was about to say more when a high pitched beeping noise came from his PC. "And that has to be Looker asking for a tip..."

"Looker?" I asked.

"Rumors are flying that Team Rocket's returned a third time." Bill explained. "If that's true, they're mainly working otherground. Looker has his suspicions, but he needs evidence to show his superiors if he wants them to keep an eye on their activity."

"Then I have a tip for you..." I offered. "We encountered them at Mt. Moon, searching for the giant Moon Stone again."

Bill raised an eyebrow at this. "Good start--anything else?"

[We actually battled a Rocket!] Liana explained.

"Liana says we actually battled a Rocket." I added.

"Looker's going to want details if you actually came face to face with a Rocket." Bill cautioned. "So tell me as much as you can remember."

I poured out all the details of the girl Rocket we had battled on Mt. Moon--what she looked like, her team, what she'd said to us, if any other Rockets were with her, was she armed, and so on. It wasn't long before we'd assembled a mostly complete profile.

"Okay..." Bill mused as he e-mailed our profile. "Looker's probably going to want to talk to you further once he analyzes this--you may learn more info on this Rocket too, if you ask."

We talked more about our journey so far and Bill's ongoing research the rest of the night, and went to bed once the house was decently clean. I was thrilled--I had killed two Pidgeys with one stone thanks to Bill--answers about the Rocket and tales to tell Lt. Surge.

To Be Continued...

@Gastly's Mama, @Johnny Gaddar, @AetherX, @Wes118


Episode 14: A Song of Intrigue


After saying goodbye to Bill and Cerulean City, we set out on the road south to Vermillion. We could've very well taken a shortcut through Saffron, but my best known and favorite route was the Blue and Gold Trail--a leisurely trail that connected Cerulean and Vermillion, and passed through some other, smaller towns along the way. There were great views and great stops all along the way.

Our first stop was Gimon Town, known for its quirky clothing and jewelry stores and Sweet Minty's Diner, the local burger joint. It's owned by a good friend of mine, Mindy Tachibana, but everyone just calls her Minty because of her mint-like teal hair. The Sweet Minty character became so well known, she's hired someone to portray Sweet Minty in media appearances and commercials.

Not surprisingly, Mindy was working in the kitchen when I arrived. "Kenna, what a surprise!" she smiled as I took a seat at a table looking out at the roadside. "What brings you here tonight?"

"On my way to Vermillion, so thought I'd drop in for dinner and to say hi." I replied, giggling at Liana admiring the black, white, and pale green tile floor.

A pop of a Poke Ball revealed Ayra in the chair across from me. [What a quaint little place...] she smiled as she looked around at the gray-green tables and the old-timey diner and Sweet Minty memorabilia lining the walls.

Delphi was quick to notice a jukebox by the left end of the counter. [Oh, an old-timey jukebox! Can I have a quarter to pick a song? Please?]

Now, I always keep a candy tube filled with quarters for trips to Minty's, and I'd remembered to pack one before I left for Pallet. "Sure...go pick a song we all can enjoy."

[Thanks!] Delphi warped over to the jukebox and began studying the playlist. After finding a song she liked, she dropped in her quarter, making a jazzy 50's melody drift into the room.

[Get down!] Liana cried, and immediately started dancing to the song.

Ayra, meanwhile, was looking over at a young man with black hair clad in a dull shirt with a brown trenchcoat silently enjoying the song at the counter. [Who might that be?]

Her question was answered a few seconds later when Mindy delivered a plate with a burger and some fries to the man. "Here you are, Looker--enjoy!" About then, the song Delphi chose ended, and a few of the patrons applauded Liana's dance.

Looker seemed to notice Liana dancing as well and motioned for me to join him at the counter. "So this is the Ruby Minstrel Kenna Devine..." he smiled.

"The one and only." I replied. "What can I do for you?"

"Bill has told me that you encountered a Rocket in Mt. Moon, right?" Looker asked.

"Yes--had a Zubat and a Houndour." I replied.

"I have ran the information you provided through headquarters' database of known active Rocket operatives, and the profile it matched the closest was this one..." Looker pulled a picture of the Rocket we'd encountered a few days before from one pocket.

"That's her!" I gasped.

[What can you tell us about her?} Liana asked.

"While I can't tell you everything on file about her, I can tell you her name, her ranking within the Rockets, and my theories on what she's planning to do." Looker assured Liana as he bit into his burger. After swallowing his bite, he went on. "Her name is Aisha Moreno, and she serves as Giovanni's envoy to the four Rocket admins. That means she reports to Giovanni directly, and relays orders from him either to grunts under her command or the four admins."

"Archer, Ariana, Petrel...and I forget the fourth one..." I mused.

"Proton--the techie of the four." Looker reminded me. "As for Aisha, I have learned that she is very driven, and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. So to have her back down before a trainer like you is very unusual. You and your team are not in any danger as of yet, but encounter and defeat her a second time, and Team Rocket may take notice."

"What do you think she wants to do?" I asked. "Or can you tell me that?"

"I would need to do more research to tell you that--there are some other Rockets that match your information in the database." Looker replied. "While Aisha is our top suspect, we both need to do a little more searching before we can identify Aisha as a Rocket to keep an eye on. So if you find any information on your quest to share stories, please let me know."

"I will." I replied before ordering an appetizer to begin my meal--Minty's Cheesy Platter (a platter full of cheese sticks and tempura fried cheese cubes)

"As thanks for helping with my investigation..." Looker then dropped a quarter in my hands. "Here's a quarter for the jukebox--on me."

We had a wonderful time at Minty's that night--we'd learned a bit more about the Rocket we met, had all matter of tasty fried goodness, and then danced off the calories to some classic 50's and 60's rock--I will never forget Looker's smile as he watched Liana dance to some of the greatest hits of all time.

To Be Continued....

@Gastly's Mama, @Johnny Gaddar, @AetherX, @Wes118


Episode 15: The Song of the Sea


The rest of the trek down the Blue and Gold Trail was pretty uneventful--we wound through the many little towns on the route, taking in the sights and sampling the local treats (although Phoenix was a little unnerved by the fried Pokechow one town offered)

Before long, we came to Vermillion City, and not surprisingly, Undine emerged to savor the salt air. [I love the smell of the sea...]

Ayra, however, was not so enthused. [You can take your salt air somewhere else...I'm not feeling so good...] she groaned as she clutched her stomach.

Now, I've always known Ayra had a sensitivity to certain smells, but I'd never seen her get this sick, so our first stop was the Pokemon Center.

Nurse Joy was very gentle about Ayra's nausea, and after concluding that Ayra didn't have anything worse, suggested that we limit our travel until she felt better. If we had to go anywhere, it would have to be a short distance.

A soda machine by the front desk caught my attention--was it possible that it sold ginger ale? That always had helped Ayra during these nausea spells, so I hurried over and studied the different sodas.

[Let's see...PokeCola, Diet PokeCola...] Liana made a face as she remembered the only time she had tasted the diet PokeCola. [PokeCola Zero, Dr. Zipper, Citrus Wave, Cheri Citrus Wave, Oran Rush, Nomelnade...ah ha!]

"You found it?" I smiled.

[Mm-hm, and it's Ayra's favorite kind too.] Liana replied. [Sowenna Mist]. Ayra had pretty much become a ginger ale connoisseur because of her sensitive stomach, and after trying pretty much every brand availiable in Kanto, she had decreed that Sowenna Mist was the best one.

A Chansey saw me inserting coins into the machine and suggested [If you really want a good ginger ale, you may want to try Breylin--it's famous for its distinctively shaped green bottle.]

[Problem is, it's not widely availiable in Kanto, so if you're traveling to Johto, you may want to pick some up.] another Chansey added.

"Thanks, I'll remember that if we ever make it out that way." I replied as I hit the button for Sowenna Mist on the machine, making the familiar green, white, and blue can drop down with a soft ka-chunk.

Ayra, meanwhile, had made herself at home on a mattress and was watching "Rikuto, Riolu Warrior" on a TV when I arrived with her drink. The psh of a soda can being opened snapped her to attention. [Thanks, Kenna--you brought me my favorite drink for times like this!] With that, she took a long drink as she watched the little Riolu fend off some possessed Machokes on the screen.

[If that doesn't perk her up, I dunno what will] Phoenix mused as he watched people enter and depart the Pokemon Center from a rafter by the entrance.

[How are we going to get to the Gym if Ayra's sick as a Growlithe?] Kitsune asked, concerned.

[Relax--give her a day to get used to it and she'll be just fine.] Delphi assured Kitsune as a crowd of children entered the Pokemon Center.

I immediately recognized the Poke Ball in a sunburst design many of the children were wearing. "They're part of the local Pokemon Fan Club!"

[Probably here to tour the Pokemon Center.] Delphi mused as Nurse Joy and a few Chanseys met the children in the center of the room.

[You know, this is your chance to practice for Lt. Surge.] Liana suggested. [If you see them again, tell them something! We'll keep an eye on Ayra while you perform.]

"Okay, and thank you for being so helpful, Liana." I smiled as I patted her head. The next question was, what sorts of tales would they like?

Sea tales made an obvious first choice, but then I reconsidered. First of all, many sea tales were not appropriate even for second, third, and fourth graders. That, and many in Vermillion were still haunted by the loss of the SS Anne. I also didn't want to worsen Ayra's nausea by power of suggestion.

Ayra watching "Rikuto" gave me an idea--why not an adventure tale?

I mulled a few ideas for one as I kept an uneasy watch over Ayra, and it wasn't long before the children returned a couple of hours later, chattering excitedly about all they'd seen and heard. Apparently a clutch of Wartortle eggs had hatched in the incubation wing (the maternity bay is for those Pokemon that give live birth), and they were all talking about the baby Squirtles.

Just then, a girl saw me tending to Ayra. "Look! A Loremaster's here!"

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY!" Forget baby Squirtles--the children were crowded around my feet in seconds, eyes shining in anticipation of what sort of tale I would tell them.

I discreetly fished Diana from my bag and began probably the most well loved tale in the world--"The Little Gold Flute". "A long time ago, in a place far away from here, there lived a mother and her daughter. Since the daughter loved the color red very much, she was named Akaiko, which means 'red child'. One day, as they worked in the fields..." I mimiced digging in dirt. "A great Charizard flew down from the sky and snatched Akaiko in his claws. Akaiko's last words to her mother as she was carried away were 'Mother my mother, so dearest to me, someday my brother will come rescue me'..."

It wasn't Brock's full on production, but I included my own instrument at the very least, and judging from Ayra's and the children's reaction, they paid rapt attention as I related Aozora's adventure, providing interludes as needed.

When my tale ended, I just kept going and made up more adventures for Aozora--it was good practice for my performance for Lt. Surge.

@Gastly's Mama, @Johnny Gaddar, @AetherX, @Wes118


Episode 16: A Soldier's Song


Ayra was feeling much better the next day, so we made our way to the Gym. Liana was pretty confident--we'd earned our first two Points easily, and the third she suspected would be just as easy.

The Gym didn't look too different from a typical athletic arena at first--there were League banners and Thunder Badge banners hanging from the ceiling very much like a championship team's run would be honored. But then we noticed the Pikachus. Hundreds of Pikachus. All marching about the Gym floor like miniature versions of human soldiers.

[I don't know, but I've been told...] a Raichu chanted from a platform overlooking the sea of Pikachus.

[I don't know, but I've been told...] the Pikachus echoed back.

[The very best ones get a badge of gold!] the Raichu called again.

[The very best ones get a badge of gold!] the Pikachus echoed back.

[We seem to have walked in on their morning maneuvers...] Delphi noted as the call and response parade continued for a moment.

[Company, halt!] the Raichu ordered, prompting the Pikachus to jump to attention as her owner, a well built man in camo fatigues, entered the room.

[Lt. Surge himself!] Ayra gasped as Surge paced the room, his piercing blue eyes looking for even one Pikachu slightly out of formation. One Pikachu heaved in a deep breath as Surge approached to make himself appear lean and strong, then let it go as he passed by with a nod of approval.

After a few tense minutes, Lt. Surge announced his verdict: "Well done, troops--company dismissed!" Relieved they had passed their morning inspection, the crowd of Pikachus hurried off to different rooms in the Gym for training.

"Sir! A Loremaster has arrived to see you." a female attendant began, gesturing to me.
I watched as Lt. Surge approached me, with his Raichu close behind him. "Emerald Loremaster Kenna Devine, sir!" I began as I gave a shaky salute.

"Emerald rank...surely you've gathered plenty of legends and epic adventures to inspire the troops..." Surge mused. "Most of your kind that come to inspire the troops are Silver, maybe Crystal rank--hardly worthy to assemble the Star of Knowledge."

"Permission to perform for you and the troops, sir?" I asked.

"Permission granted--they will assemble at 1230 hours." Surge replied. "You may prepare for your performance until then."

I spent the next two hours preparing and rehearsing my tale of choice, and by the time 12:30 rolled around, the crowd of Pikachus, Surge, his attendants, and his Raichu were gathered around a majestic stage that looked like it could've been my home stage at the Iris Theater.

[Go get'em, Kenna!] Liana smiled.

"I'm sure you know the rules, Loremaster Devine..." Surge began as I strolled onstage. "Inspire the troops with one of your best tales, and you'll earn yourself the Point of Honor for your Star of Knowledge." The Raichu displayed an orangey yellow point on a dark green pillow at this. "Not just any ol' tale will do--make them laugh, make them cry, make them scared, but most importantly, make them cheer. Understand?"

"Yes, sir." I replied.

"Then if you have no other questions, the stage is yours, Loremaster." Surge smiled as he welcomed his Raichu into his lap.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves, then began. "Once, King Entei woke up just as the sun was just peeking over the horizon, and he heard Ashira, the little Taillow, singing a joyful song to welcome the new day. " I played a little flourish on Diana to represent Ashira singing, much to the bemusement of the Pikachus. "King Entei was fascinated by the song, as he often woke up late, long after the birds had finished their song. He listened to Ashira for hours, and when the last note faded away, he said to Ashira..." I then assumed a deep male voice for King Entei "Well sung, little one...Could you perhaps teach me to sing as beautifully as you do?"

The Pikachus giggled in anticipation as I continued as myself. "Ashira was shocked--teaching the king of the jungle to sing? She sighed dreamily at the great honor of having King Entei as her student, and agreed to begin lessons the next morning. She had no clue of the problems that lay ahead..."

Uproarious laughter filled the air as I told of Ashira's futile attempts to teach King Entei, concluding with King Entei learning to accept himself for what he was. Some light applause filled the air when I finished, but I was puzzled--did my audience not like the tale?

"That was pretty good, Loremaster Devine..." Lt. Surge began. "But not good enough for a Point of Honor..."

"Why not?" I asked.

"You didn't appear to have it all together..." Lt. Surge continued. "While learning to accept yourself is a worthy lesson to teach, your performance sounded wooden, like it was missing something...on the battlefield, the unity of the troops often determines victory or defeat--and if that story was a unit of troops, they would've been soundly defeated--all because it lacked heart."

"I made sure to prepare well..." I started.

"All the preparation and rehearsal in the world mean nothing if your heart's not in it!" Surge roared, startling me before motioning to his Raichu. "Raika...show Loremaster Devine what her performance looked like to us."

Raika nodded and begain repeating back what I just told in a dry and dull voice. [Once, King Entei woke up just as the sun was peeking over the horizon...] She added a fake yawn for effect, making the Pikachus laugh as she deadpaned some more. [He heard a Taillow singing to welcome the new day...] I didn't know whether to laugh at how terrible I must have looked or cry at Raika's mocking--did I really do that bad?

"Mind you, you made the troops laugh--but if you put more heart into the show, and told a tale you loved, they would've liked you even more." Surge replied. "If you want to try again, report here at 0900 hours tomorrow morning--and bring a better story next time!"

"Yes sir." I replied as Liana, Delphi, and Ayra led the way outside. I was going to find a story that would inspire Lt. Surge, if it was the last thing I did!

To Be Continued...

@Gastly's Mama, @Johnny Gaddar, @AetherX, @Wes118


Episode 17: A Song of Reflection


[Kenna? Everything okay?] Phoenix asked as he landed on a curtain overlooking my bed in the Pokemon Center's many guest rooms.

[You haven't said a thing since we left Vermillion Gym.] Ayra added.

[Still thinking about what Lt. Surge said?] Liana asked as she climbed on my bed next to me, concerned by my glum look.

I nodded. "I don't know if it was just a tough crowd or if he's right about my performance not having enough heart."

[You had plenty of heart when you performed for your last two points.] Ayra assured me. [However, I'm going to play Darkrai's advocate and say that while YOU think your performance had heart, HE didn't think so.]

"What do you mean?" I asked.

[Lt. Surge is right in one respect--all the rehearsal and preparation means nothing without heart.] Phoenix added. [Not everyone is going to like what you tell, but telling what you love goes a long way towards being a great Loremaster.]

[Heart is the enthusiasm you have for the story because you love to tell it.] Liana added. [Maybe it was possible that the story you told didn't fit the audience?]

"You may be right, Liana--I may have told the wrong story considering the audience." I mused as a smile formed on my face. "Because of that, I didn't give as much enthusiasm as I did for Brock and Misty."

[That's the spirit!] Phoenix squawked. [Next question--what does Lt. Surge like to hear?]

[War stories?] Liana suggested.

[Stories having to do with honor?] Ayra suggested.

A pop of a Poke Ball startled everyone as Kitsune formed in the room. [Here's an idea for you...you've always wanted to tell the story of Master Ash's adventure on Shamouti Island, so why not tell him an adventure from that? Specifically the episode with Zapdos in it?]

"What a great idea, Kitsune!" I laughed as I hugged my Ninetales. "Maybe the local library has info on it!"

We hurried to the Vermillion Public Library and made ourselves at home in the research wing, combing through books, folklore magazines, and even an eyewitness account or two from the islanders and Misty. "Okay...want me to tell you guys what I have of the bones of the story?" I asked Liana and Kitsune.

[Sure!] Liana pushed away the magazine she was flipping through.

[Okay.] Kitsune agreed as she closed up the book she had been reading.

[I'm listening.] Ayra assured me as she combed the shelves for a book we hadn't read yet.

[Fire away!] Phoenix requested as he fluttered off to retrieve some books from the top shelves.

"Okay...I'm going to begin at the part where Ash is on his way to the Island of Fire..." I began.

[Wait! Wouldn't it be better to start earlier and introduce the prophecy of Lugia first?] Ayra suggested.

I thought for a moment--Ayra did bring up an excellent point. "All right, so start where Ash and the party arrive and are told about the prophecy, then move on to Fire Island..." I thought about what came next, then continued. "Just as Ash retrieves the Fire Orb, Zapdos arrives and tries to zap him. His Pikachu asks why, and Zapdos explains that Moltres is in danger. Just then, the Collector arrives and tries to catch Zapdos. Ash and co. try to stop them, but they end up captured and taken aboard the Collector's ship. Ash then learns about the Collector's plan--to catch the three Legendary Birds in hopes he can catch Lugia too."

[That's not how the prophecy is fulfilled!] Phoenix protested.

"This angers Ash, and a great battle breaks out." I continued. "In all the confusion, Moltres is freed, and she frees Zapdos. Both of them combine their power to make an escape route for everyone."

[Now THAT sounds exciting!] Kitsune giggled.

[Lt. Surge oughta love that for sure!] Phoenix agreed.

I smiled, but deep down my heart was pounding--what if Lt. Surge didn't like hearing one of Ash's exploits? Then how would I earn the Star Point of Honor?

To Be Continued...

@Gastly's Mama, @Johnny Gaddar, @AetherX, @Wes118


Episode 18: A Song of Thunder


"Welcome back, Loremaster Devine..." Lt. Surge smiled as I arrived in the Gym the next morning. "Ready to try again for a Point of Honor?"

"Yes sir." I replied.

"The troops have already assembled, so when you are ready, the stage is yours." Lt. Surge replied, gesturing to the crowd of Pikachus waiting for me in the auditorium. "I hope you remember what I told you last time."

"I do, sir." I replied as I started for the stage door. "I thought about what you said, and have chosen a tale that I have wanted to tell for some time." With that, I made my way backstage and ducked behind a screen to change into costume--I was going to tell this story in character as Ash.

After throwing on my Ash costume and trading my fedora for the all important League cap Ash wore at the time, I made my way onstage. More than a few excited whispers of [Look! It's Ash!] raced through the crowd. Aside from the wrong hair color and being a little taller, I looked very much like Ash.

I took a deep breath to dispel the Beautiflies in my stomach, found Liana and Delphi in the crowd, then began in character, Ash voice and all. "As I made my way through the Orange Islands with my friends Misty and Tracey, I came to an island named Shamouti Island. And islander met us there and offered to give us a ride around the island. Since it was such a nice day, we let all our Pokemon out on the boat to enjoy the sunshine."

[Kenna makes a great Ash, if I say so myself.] Delphi commented.

[She has the voice right, at least.] Liana agreed.

"Suddenly, a great storm blew up, and we crashed into a rocky inlet of Shamouti Island." I continued. "But our appearance startled the natives, and it looked like we were done for!"

[What did you do, Ash?] a Pikachu asked.

"Fortunately, our driver knew one of the islanders, Carol." I continued. " She said something about a ceremony of some kind, but no sooner had our driver mentioned that I was a Pokemon trainer, another islander rushed up to me and said I was a chosen one, and told us all about an ancient prophecy...'Disturb not the harmony of fire, ice and lightning, lest these titans wreak destruction upon the world in which they clash. Though the water's great guardian shall arise to quell the fighting, alone its song will fail, thus the earth will turn to Ash.'"

"The prophecy of Lugia, if I remember right..." Lt. Surge mused.

"As the chosen one, I had to retrieve three orbs of power from three surrounding islands, just as a great hero had done long ago." I continued. "The leader of the hunting party told me that the next day would be the start of the annual festival held in rememberance of this hero."

[A party!] some Pikachus cheered.

[What was the party like?] a Pichu asked.

"It was a grand affair, there were games, and dancing, and great food!" I replied, making sure not to break character. "But the best performer out of all of them was Melody, Carol's sister--I could've watched her dance and listened to her ocarina all night!"

[Do you remember any songs she played, Ash?"] another Pichu asked.

"Yeah..." I replied as I retrieved a gold whistle with a green mouthpiece--the real Ash's instrument of choice. "One of them went something like this." Liana led the clapping as I played "Reel of the Three Birds", "Storm on the Rocks" and "The Chosen One's Reel"

"Bravo!" Lt. Surge led the applause at the set's conclusion.

"When the dancing and music was over, Melody came to me and reiterated what I had to do as the chosen one--and it was not going to be an easy quest. I insisted I still wanted to undertake the ceremonial quest, and I was treated as royalty the rest of the night. I was led to Fire Island the next morning, just Pikachu and me."

[Did you get the orb of fire?] a third Pichu asked.

"It was not an easy task, and filled with all sorts of traps and puzzles." I replied. "After some time, I made it to the chamber where the fire orb lay. Before I could take it, Zapdos ambushed me, but before it could hurt me, Pikachu stepped in and asked why Zapdos was so mad. Zapdos told Pikachu that Moltres was gone, and that he was now claiming Fire Island as his own. Pikachu then asked what had happened to Moltres, but before Zapdos said anything, an evil collector made his way into the cave! I met up with the others and tried to stop him, but we were all captured and taken to his airship."

[Oh no!] the crowd of Pikachus gasped.

[How did you get out?] a second Pikachu asked.

"The collector told us he was capturing the three Birds in hopes of awakening Lugia, and then taking Lugia too." I explained before turning my cap back, just as Ash did when he was angry or meant business. "I was not about to sit idly by and watch this happen, so we all worked together to free Zapdos and Moltres--even Team Rocket helped us!"

[And then?] some Pichus asked.

"It took some doing, but we freed Moltres and Zapdos." I replied. "Moltres was relieved to be free, and combined her power with Zapdos, blowing a hole in the ship's wall and allowing us to get out--it was now a race against time to see who could get to Articuno first."

My tale completed, the lights went down, revealing me in my true clothes. {YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!] the crowd cheered as I took a bow.

[Wow! For a minute there, I thought you were Ash!] Raika raved as she applauded.

"I'm very impressed with your acting skills, Loremaster Devine." Lt. Surge began. "I could tell you enjoy telling this tale, but to tell it to us as the one that lived it is a real sign of heart. For all I cared, I was not watching you in a costume of General Ash telling this story, I was actually watching General Ash on that stage. His clothing, his voice, and even his mannerisms--you recreated them all well, and gave the whole performance both realism and heart."

"Thank you." I smiled as Raika brought Lt. Surge the pillow holding the Point of Honor.

"Loremaster Devine, you've earned this with your stirring performance." Lt. Surge began as he pinned the Point to the center of the Star. "May it remind you to treat your stories--be they fairy tales or history--with honor and respect."

"I promise, sir." I replied. Cheers went up as we exchanged one final salute, just like real soldiers.

To Be Continued...

Sorry for not having an episode in a while--regular updates will resume after the holidays.