• Hello!

    Please be aware that our content warnings system has recently been updated! Please refer to this thread for more information, or if you're unsure, feel free to contact a Workshop staff member!

    Thank you all for helping us ensure our community is a safe and healthy one, and for your continued patronage in our Library and Workshop.
  • Forum Moderator applications are now open! If you're interested in joining an active team of moderators for one of the biggest Pokémon forums on the internet, click here for info.

EVERYONE: The Journeys of the Red Star (Book 1: The Journey of Fire)

LightningTopaz

LightningTopaz

Brock's Pikachu
Forum Moderator Scorbunny Fan Sprigatito Fan
Joined
Nov 8, 2005
Messages
10,259
Reaction score
3,110
Pronouns
  1. She/Her
Rated E10+ for fantasy violence and frightening images

The Journeys of the Red Star

Book 1: The Journey of Fire

Prologue: The Legend of Arceus and the Dragon

It is a story long told in Kinmura...long ago, when the world was new, the god Pokemon Arceus and the great dragon Yofune battled for control of the world. Yofune desired to destroy the world Arceus and the other Legendaries had lovingly made, and create a world filled with monsters, hopelessness, and despair. It was a long and hard fought battle, but Arceus ultimately prevailed, sealing Yofune away in the underworld. He also sealed some of his power inside the Great Temple in the north, If Yofune ever escaped, a worthy priest or miko would travel to the shrines of the Six Points of Magic--fire, water, wind, earth, darkness, and light, retrieve their guardian crystals, and set them inside the statue of Arceus to awaken his full power, allowing him to seal Yofune again. Thankfully, no one has ever had to make the perilous journey, although many priests and mikos travel to the Great Temple at least once in their lifetime.

From his prison in the underworld, Yofune fumes with anger at Arceus, and frequently sends monsters to the surface world. They come in every shape and size--some are merely annoying, while others are strong enough to tear Kinmura apart.

There are some that make their livings wandering around the world, defending towns and cities and helping those in need. My friend Ash is one such wandering hero, but he is also on a far greater quest--stopping the power hungry Grand Emperor from doing the unthinkable--releasing Yofune and ruling the world. Alongside a young miko named Dawn and me, Ash travels around Kinmura, escorting Dawn to the shrines and helping those in need on the way.

Hear now the story of how a red clad swordsman with a magical flute and his companions awakened Arceus, and saved the world....
 
Last edited:
I know I've not been particularly great about keeping up with your stuff, but I'm a sucker for mythology-based stuff, so this is interesting to me.

I do think that this part could've been included in the first chapter, as part of a framing device, since it seems to be the words of a bard or something. But still, it's an interesting hook.
 
LightningTopaz said:
That's because it is coming from a bard (or as they are called in Kinmura, <i>yushin</i>)--my original character Kiyama will be serving as the narrator for this adventure

If you want to be tagged when new episodes release, let me know.
Click to expand...
I understand that, I just feel that, because of its length, it could work as the beginning to the first chapter. It's just a difference in writing styles, though.

And definitely do tag me.
 
@Elite Four Lugion; @Tophat Dragoneye;

Tale 1: The Tale of the Dark Swordsman


We set out from Ash's hometown of Masara early in the morning to begin the first leg of Dawn's journey and his--to travel to the Ruby Shrine and retrieve the guardian stone of fire, the ruby Lauki. Together with the other five stones, they have the power to awaken Arceus' true power.

But I digress.

The Ruby Shrine lay far to the east, I knew for sure, but not even Dawn knew of its exact location. We would try to discern that by helping out the people of the region on our journey.

Ash looked so majestic on the hill that overlooked the plains. The morning breeze ruffled his long red robe with a cape that matched. A gold belt with a ruby set inside and a matching gold sash glittered in the rising sun as he set a simple bamboo hat on top of his head. "Let's go, everyone." he motioned for us to follow him as he started down the hill.

I stifled a giggle as Ash's faithful Pikachu ran by his side. The two of them had obviously been together for a long time--exactly how long, I didn't know.

Dawn was also enamored by Pikachu's enthusiasm. "Maybe he knows the way to the Ruby Shrine and Lauki." Pikachu paid no mind to Dawn's comment, he was happily romping through the grass, being careful to follow where Ash walked.

"Our plan today is to travel to the temple in Chamizu, where one of the Order of the Sacred Tree will escort us to Haradori Pass." Ash explained. "Chamizu itself is a week's journey from here, with several other towns along the way."

"Which means I will have to hear hundreds of cycles of nakarako before the day is done." Dawn groaned. Normally, she didn't mind hearing the teions--the giant horns that serve to relay information to towns and add special effects onstage. What bothered her was hearing nakarako--the boto, or signal, that a <i>yushin</i> like me has arrived.

I put a hand on her shoulder. "Peace, lady miko--most <i>kazehitos</i> ask if I am going to perform before playing nakarako."

"Good." Dawn smiled. "Maybe I won't have to hear fifty cycles in every town we pass through..."

"Although if this were my hometown we were traveling to, you'd have to hear my sister play a hundred cycles." I interjected. We laughed at this--my sister was in training to be a <i>kazehito</i>, and one of her dreams was to announce me with nakarako.

"How is Yasuna doing with her training, by the way?" Ash asked, curious.

"She says she finally played 'Blue Dragon Prayer'--she says to thank you for teaching it to her." I replied.

"The pleasure's all mine." Ash replied before seeing a glowing white flame on the ground. "A <i>kante</i>?" he asked.

Sure enough, the white flame transformed into a fairy-like creature as soon as Pikachu tried to bat at it. Try as he might to knock it to the ground, it darted away from him.

I pulled him back by Ash's side. "Now, now--<i>kante</i> are envoys of the Legendaries sent to guide those who wander." I told him. "Harming one is bad luck."

"Pika." Pikachu gave the <i>kante</i> a little bow of apology before running back to Ash's side. Just as the <i>kante</i> pointed us in the direction of a town, we heard a teion play an attention tone in the distance.

Ash's first thought was to reach for his sword, Kunimada. But he heaved a relieved sigh as the teion began osomiya to mark nine o'clock in the morning. "Thank Arceus that <i>kante</i> mean no harm, as opposed to other sorts of spirits." he mused as we made our way into town.

The kazehito, a young man about twenty years old, called down to me when he finished playing osomiya. "Ai, <i>yushin!</i> Have you come to perform for us today?"

"Not this time--we have traveled far, and seek information on the Ruby Shrine." I replied. "I will perform in the tavern later." <i>The kazehito</i> nodded, and watched as we started down the dusty road into town.

It was fairly quiet as we strolled past the simple stone houses with thatched bamboo roofs, but by the time we got to the west end of the square and entered the tavern, we were surprised by a man clothed completely in black addressing the crowd.

"In this world, titles mean everything!" he roared. "That means that I, the Black Suicune, am the most superior person here! So everything I do is right!" The crowd howled in protest at this.

One of the barmaids motioned in our direction as the man stormed out. "That Black Suicune guy came into town, captured our elder, and proclaimed himself elder. Many have tried battling him in hopes of finding the real elder, but all thus far have failed."

"Furthermore, titles, prestige, and power are not what makes a good leader!" Dawn protested. "A good leader should be wise, and listen to their people."

"Yes--the true power lies in one's heart." I agreed.

The barmaid then noticed Kunimada at Ash's side. "You're a swordsman, aren't you?"

"Yes--I have trained since I was just a lad." Ash replied. "My teacher was Takamaru of Masara."

"He may just have a chance at putting that black windbag in his place!" the smithy cried. Cheers went up in agreement.

"Very well." Ash began. "If this Black Suicune returns, I will challenge him to battle."

Dawn gasped as the crowd roared. 'Are you sure you know what you are doing?" Master Takamaru may be strong, and you have obviously learned a lot from him, but what if he is even stronger?"

Ash was unfazed. "If my blade fails, I have Utahime to help." he assured her as he slid the small wooden flute in his palm.

I swallowed hard as he began a calm and relaxing melody--what if Ash was in over his head?

<b>TO BE CONTINUED...</b>
 
Very nice start. It's looking to be a good combination of the "Adventure Town" take and the straight plot take.

It also reads rather like the edition of The Journey to the West that I read.
 
@Elite Four Lugion; @Tophat Dragoneye;

Tale 2: The Tale of the Opponent's Secret


The tavern grew quiet after the Black Suicune had left. Yet I was concerned for Ash--what if he was facing a warrior many times stronger than him?

A rumor from some patrons got my attention. "They say the Black Suicune gets his strength from a seirei, so if you defeat his seirei, he'll go down easily..."

That was enough to snap Ash from his peaceful melody. "Seirei?"

Dawn retrieved some cards from her bag and spread them out on the table. "These are <i>tomi</i> cards--where seirei--or guardian spirits--are said to come from."

"You think I can learn to call them?" Ash was interested.

"It is possible for others besides mikos, priests, and mystics to learn how to summon them." Dawn explained before giving both Ash and me a few of her <i>tomi</i> cards. "To call them into this world, tell them what you wish to do in an incantation, then name them. Every incantation is unique to that summoner, so no two summoners will call a seirei exactly the same way."

Ash studied what cards he had. "If he has a seirei on his side, I will too!" he boldly announced.

We went out to a field not far from town. This way, Dawn could rein in the seirei if it didn't want to listen to Ash, and it wouldn't damage anything or harm anyone.

"Now...which seirei are you planning on taking into battle?" Dawn asked.

Ash looked over the cards depicting beautiful maidens and fierce warriors. "Hm..."

"Pika?" Pikachu pointed at a card depicting a woman in a white mystic's robe, a green silk belt, and red and blue trim.

"Lightning Mystic Izanami...a great choice." Dawn smiled.

"She is said to create the lightning that gives all lightning Pokemon their power." I added.

"Since you have a lightning Pokemon as your partner, maybe you have an affinity to lightning." Dawn suggested.

"Here goes..." With that, Ash held the card high. "Spirit of Arceus, grant me the wisdom and fury to face a mystery opponent! I call upon Lightning Mystic Izanami!"

He then took Utahime and played a frantic melody, making the card glow and take the shape of the woman. "How may I be of service, ye that wields the lightning blade?" she asked, her voice calm and assuring.

Ash bowed before Izanami. "Lady Izanami...the town you see in the distance has been taken over by a mysterious swordsman known as the Black Suicune."

Izanami nodded. "Yes, I know of the one you speak of. He receives his strength from a seirei serving the dark dragon Yofune."

I gasped--the rumor in the tavern was true! "What is this seirei named?"

Izanami conjured a lightning ball in her hands, which expanded to show a vaguely humanoid figure with matted brown hair wearing a ragged brown dress. But what made me shudder were the creature's eyes--a small yellow glow from eyeless sockets!

Even Ash was trembling. "Wh-what IS that?"

"This is Morga, the Zombie Princess." Izanami explained. "She is parasitical in nature, feeding off a host's energy until it dies. When the host dies, she will wander the world in search of a new host. However, if you slay her, the host will be freed. Many of her hosts were tricked into serving her, in spite of themselves. It's possible that this happened to the Black Suicune."

"So how would I defeat her?" Ash wondered.

"I would be able to help you a little, but your best chance would be with a seirei of light." With that, Izanami disappeared in a flash of lightning, leaving only her card on the grass.

"Luckily for you, I gave you a light seirei to command--the Spirit Panther." Dawn assured Ash, pointing out a card depicting a large glowing cat with a flowing white mane. "However, you can borrow one of mine if you wish."

"No thanks--the Spirit Panther should be enough." Ash replied before starting down the road to town. "Let's get some rest--we have a big day tomorrow!"

<b>TO BE CONTINUED....</b>
 
The seirei concept is interesting. It's obviously not a new concept, but I find the way you implement it to be refreshing.
 
I got the idea from the first half of Sailor Moon R (the Cardian arc), because many of the monsters looked like beings you could summon for a good reason. The seirei here are more like summons in Final Fantasy, but only a select few can learn to do it without tiring. In fact, next episode you'll see that Ash calling Izanami did tire him.
 
@Elite Four Lugion; @Tophat Dragoneye;

Tale 3: The Tale of the Red Star's Duel


The day of the promised duel dawned bright and early, and throngs of people turned out to watch Ash and the Black Suicune battle on the plains. We had chosen the plains so as to not damage anything or hurt anyone, and still be able to have the teion mark rounds. Had Ash and the Black Suicune dueled right there in the tavern a few days before, there may have been significant damage and lives may have been needlessly lost.

But Ash knew better than to so rashly charge into the fray--Master Takamaru had drilled the importance of knowing one's opponent into his mind early in his training.

He had obviously been mulling what Lightning Mystic Izanami had told us a few days before as he looked over his <i>tomi</i> cards. "Are the Spirit Panther and Lightning Mystic Izanami enough for this match?"

"I would believe so--Izanami would be able to dent the Zombie Princess's defenses, and then the Spirit Panther would destroy her once and for all." Dawn explained. "But don't summon your own seirei until he does--as you are not a priest or mystic, calling any seirei at all will be a drain on your strength."

Cheers went up as the teion played a high D note followed by thirty cycles of nakarade--the duel would soon begin!

Ash got up from the rock he had been sitting on as the low A note rang across the plains. "Wish me luck, everyone."

"May Arceus protect you." Dawn smiled.

"Pika!" Pikachu waved as Ash met his opponent in the waving grass.

I ran ahead of Ash to explain the rules to the spectators. "Today we gather here to watch the Red Star..." The crowd roared at Ash's title. He just gave a confident nod as he stared down his black-clad opponent. "and the Black Suicune..." Boisterous cheers were quickly silenced as the black-clad swordsman approached Ash. "will battle with blade and spell in a non-lethal duel to determine the fate of this fair town."

More cheers went up at this. "The duel will be fought in three rounds, with the winner the first one to win at least two." I continued. I then looked towards the teion's platform, where the <i>kazehito</i> and his partner nervously waited for me to give the word to play a single cycle of nakarade to start the first round. "If there are no questions, may the best fighter win!"

"Pika pi!" Pikachu called over the cheers.

"Come on, Ash!" Dawn cheered. "You can do it!"

The attention tone prompted Ash and the black Suicune to draw their weapons. After a few tense seconds, the single cycle of nakarade came, declaring the duel underway!

The Black Suicune wasted no time in charging at Ash--but Ash was quick to parry the blow. The force of the attack was so strong, it pushed Ash back a few inches. He made up his lost ground fairly quickly, focusing his energies into his blade as it began sparking with electricity. By the time he delivered his counter attack, Kunimada was glowing white! "White Raikou Slash!"

The Black Suicune reared back from the attack, shuddering from the tiny thunderbolts that resonated through his body thanks to the cut on his arm. He still managed to slice through the air, creating a tornado on the ground. "Deadly Tornado!"

Ash had no idea the tornado was coming, and the crowd gasped as the tornado carried him high into the air and dropped him to the ground with a sickening thud.

Dawn was shocked. "Is Ash..."

She heaved a huge sigh of relief as Ash weakly stood up. I was just as relieved--the fall may have knocked the wind out of him, but he still looked ready for more.

Ash took a few steps back, and then charged at the Black Suicune himself, jumping into the air and aiming for his opponent's legs. "Triumphant Arc of the Sky!"

The Black Suicune began spinning his blade, blocking Ash's attack and knocking him to the ground. "Six Point Circle!"

"Is there any way Ash can break through his defenses?" Dawn wondered as Ash continued to grapple with the Black Suicune.

"There may be--if you can destroy the seirei giving the Black Suicune his strength." I explained, just as the Black Suicune knocked Ash to the ground, prompting the teion to play the single cycle of nakarede to herald the end of the first round.

"Very impressive...it isn't often anyone survives my Deadly Tornado." the Black Suicune sneered. "But how fare you with magic?"

"I have learned much of magic, and it has always served me well when my blade fails." Ash replied as Dawn ran to heal his wounds.

Once both sides met in the center of the makeshift arena, Ash slid Utahime into his palm and awaited the teion's tone. The Black Suicune just dug a purple orb from his pocket.

The teion played two cycles of nakarade, and the Black Suicune hurled the orb to the ground. "Blot out the red star from the sky! Zombie Princess Morga!" Many in the crowd screamed as the hideous seirei materialized--even Pikachu darted behind the rock Dawn was seated on in fear.

"You don't scare me--red is the color of courage!" Ash called before saying an incantation of his own. "Fire of a thousand suns, burn and set my heart aglow...ignite my courage in this song, so all the world my name might know! Resonating Heat Wave!" With that, he played a calm, yet inspiring song, creating a line of bright orange flames that roared toward the zombie princess like a wave of the sea.

The zombie's heartstopping scream filled the air as the flames engulfed it, but it hurled an orb of darkness at Ash. "Darkness Rupture!"

The shadowy spell paralyzed Ash for a moment, rendering him unable to even give Utahime the breath of life. With Ash rendered completely helpless, the Zombie Princess conjured a path of candles. "Path of Ethereal Candles!"

"No!" I gasped as Ash began to float in the seirei's direction--if she drained his energy, he would die!

"Snap out of it!" Dawn screamed, seemingly to no avail.

All it took was an assuring smile for Dawn to heave a sigh of relief--Morga may have paralyzed Ash's body, but his heart still ran free! He then began another incantation, even though he could not move his hands to play Utahime. "Lord of Heaven, break me free from these chains of darkness that hold me, and rain down your holy light so the host of this foul creature may be free!"

With that, he sang <i>Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...</i>, smothering the zombie princess in a bright white light and breaking him free from her spell!

"Amazing!" Dawn gasped. "I've never seen Ash sing a spell before!"

"Those that channel their magic through an instrument often can channel magic through their own voice as well, although this is more tiring." I explained as two cycles of nakarede signaled the end of round two.

With Dawn busy tending to Ash, I ran out to meet the crowd. "Each side has won one round each, so we will flip a coin to determine the mode of combat for the third round." I dug a gold piece from my pocket, then went on. "If the head of the Great Emperor is shown when the coin lands, we will battle with sword. If the Six Points of Magic are shown, we will battle with spell."

Ash watched as I flipped the coin. <i>If I can battle with my seirei, I may have a chance!</i>

I studied the coin when it landed in the grass--it was displaying the Six Points of Magic! "The third round will be fought with magic!"

The teion played three cycles of nakarade to start the third round, but some screams from the crowd alerted Ash that the Zombie Princess still had strength left. He quickly grabbed the card containing the Spirit Panther. "Spirit of Arceus, grant me the power of your holy light! I call upon the Spirit Panther!"

He played a few bars of the hymn "Holy Light, Awaken" as the card glowed and materialized into the sleek white cat with a flowing mane.

"What? You have a seirei too?" the Black Suicune cried, stunned at the turn of events.

"Not just any seirei, but a seirei of light..." Ash replied. "A seirei that can stand against your zombie princess of darkness!" He watched with a proud smile as the spirit panther leapt at the zombie princess.

I looked on in awe as the holy panther skillfully dodged every one of the zombie princess' dark spells, and proved completely immune to the spell that had almost killed Ash. Yet what we heard the zombie princess' final scream some hours later, the Black Suicune was engulfed in light as well. In his place was a man in a dull blue tunic.

Dawn noticed Ash heaving with exhaustion as he recalled the Spirit Panther. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah--calling the Spirit Panther was hard work." he replied before mustering a weak smile.

The man in blue addressed the crowd. "My friends and fellow townsfolk, I am deeply sorry for the troubles I caused you as the Black Suicune--throwing our elder into a shed and causing terror on the land--I was forced to do as the zombie princess commanded, in spite of myself."

Dawn was a bit skeptical. "Can you show us the elder as proof of your claim?"

The man readily agreed, and brought the elder out, who was thankfully unharmed. He listened as the man told his story, and how Ash freed him from the zombie princess' clutches.

We departed with some bags of gold and some lingering questions--if there were dark seirei about, who was calling them? Were the Jeweled Shrines in danger?

<b>TO BE CONTINUED...</b>
 
@Elite Four Lugion; @Tophat Dragoneye;

Tale 4: The Tale of the Siege of Plants (part 1)


Our journey led us to the small town of Oriman, which was nestled on the edge of a forest. But none of us found it odd that the teion did not announce my arrival. Nor did we hear it play osomiya or any other signaling boto at any time during the first day of our stay. It was only when we looked on the signalling platform in the square did we see that there was no one present to play the teion at all--and that was worth looking into.

After locating the kenshu on the west end of town, we learned why the teion wasn't being played--every pair of <i>kazehito</i> and <i>jinshuhito</i> were huddled in the gathering hall in fear.

"Peace, everyone." Dawn began. "Tell us why you are afraid to sound the teion."

Silence met us for a moment before one <i>kazehito</i> apprentice worked up the courage to tell us "If we even play one note in the square, Kotsumori will attack the village."

"Who is this Kotsumori?" Ash pressed the <i>kazehito</i> for more information.

"A mad earth mystic that recently appeared in the nearby forest." the apprentice's partner replied. "Talk to the elder to learn more."

We thanked the <i>kenshu's</i> residents and left for the elder's house in the center of town. As we walked down the dusty road, we noticed more signs of a mystic's magic.

The road was dotted in puddes that looked very out of place on a hot day. Bugs swarmed everywhere--the rotted crops in fields, the corpses of both human and Pokemon, and even in the puddles and other pools of standing water.

"Brave traveler...it is fortunate you have come here." the elder smiled as we arrived. "Ever since Kotsumori arrived in the forest, he has wreaked havoc on Oriman."

"Do you know why he has tried to destroy your fair town?" Ash wondered as he made himself comfortable on a stool.

"He believes our town disrupts the balance of nature." the elder explained. "We have done all that we could to respect the forest and take care of the environment here, but he will have none of it. No matter what we do, he sends a ghastly monster to attack us, or manipulates the weather in an attempt to frighten us away. We can't even sound the teion, lest he attacks us."

Dawn was interested in what had terrorized Oriman. "Can you tell us what monsters you have seen in town?" she asked.

Tears welled up in the elder's eyes. "He has summoned the orge Kijo, who then kidnapped and devoured many of the children." he began as he brushed away a tear. "Those that survived Kijo were attacked by Hikotobu, the ghostly flying head that dark mystics command."

"Odd--an earth mystic would not summon a creature of the dark, much less attack the village they were supposed to protect." I mused.

"No one knows how or why Kotsumori descended into madness." the elder continued. "What's important is that he be stopped. Reasoning with him has proved fruitless."

"Then I have an idea..." I suggested. "Have the teion play ten cycles of nakameya to lure him out of the forest and have Ash try to tell him that you mean no harm to the forest--if he becomes hostile or sends a monster to attack in response to the noise, he will defeat it."

The elder looked Ash up and down for a moment. "You may be young, but you look strong and courageous."

"Thank you--I have trained under Blademaster Takamaru since I was a lad." Ash replied. "We currently wander this land in search of the stones of the Jeweled Shrines, in hopes of bringing them to the Great Temple."

The elder hung his head. "As much as I would wish to help you, you would have better luck asking the order of monks at Chamizu. Dealing with Kotsumori has drained our resources."

"I see." Ash replied.

"However, I can tell you that the Honogin Players have been traveling in this area." the elder continued, his mood noticeably happier. "If you can drive Kotsumori away, I will tell you where they will next be performing."

"It's a deal!" Ash jumped up from his chair. I just smiled--he and Brock, the lead actor of the troupe, had been close friends for a long time. If Ash knew he was in the area, he would go to any lengths to see his friend perform.

So the next morning, the teion played its first signal boto in a long time--and the crowd roared as the rhythmic notes pierced the morning air. Yet Ash stood nearby the platform and gazed off into the woods, awaiting when--or if--Kotsumori or one of his monsters would appear.

As the last two notes faded away into the rising sun, some rustling got Ash's attention--and he drew his blade when he saw he was staring down not just any Ariados, but a Ariados ruler--a tsuchigumo!

<b>To Be Continued...</b>
 
@Elite Four Lugion; @Tophat Dragoneye;

Tale 5: The Tale of the Siege of Plants (part 2)


<b>When our previous tale ended...</b>

<i>The elder hung his head. "As much as I would wish to help you, you would have better luck asking the order of monks at Chamizu. Dealing with Kotsumori has drained our resources."

"I see." Ash replied.

"However, I can tell you that the Honogin Players have been traveling in this area." the elder continued, his mood noticeably happier. "If you can drive Kotsumori away, I will tell you where they will next be performing."

"It's a deal!" Ash jumped up from his chair. I just smiled--he and Brock, the lead actor of the troupe, had been close friends for a long time. If Ash knew he was in the area, he would go to any lengths to see his friend perform.

So the next morning, the teion played its first signal boto in a long time--and the crowd roared as the rhythmic notes pierced the morning air. Yet Ash stood nearby the platform and gazed off into the woods, awaiting when--or if--Kotsumori or one of his monsters would appear.

As the last two notes faded away into the rising sun, some rustling got Ash's attention--and he drew his blade when he saw he was staring down not just any Ariados, but a Ariados ruler--a tsuchigumo!</i>

"Be careful, Ash!" I called as Ash approached the tsuchigumo. "Tsuchigumos can poison you if you're not careful!"

Ash nodded before calling into the woods. "Kotsumori! These people mean no harm to the forest, and take great pains to protect it! So why do you attack them?"

"Because they defile it by killing the trees for wood and the Pokemon for food!" came a high pitched raspy voice. "If they do not seek another place for their town, I will send forth my army of trees to attack them!"

"Bloodshed is not the answer." Ash assured Kotsumori. "You would be defiling the forest yourself with the blood of innocents."

Silence filled the air for a moment before Kotsumori spoke again. "Very well then, young warrior--if you and your friends can defeat the creature you see before you, I will trust your claim and leave this place."

Ash nodded, unfazed by the growling tsuchigumo. "Deal."

"If you need our help, play the Song of Six Points." Dawn smiled. "May Arceus protect you."

Ash wasted no time in running up to the tsuchigumo and delivering a crescent shaped slice to its body. The one slash became two, then two became three. We then heard his cry of "Crescent Sword Dance!" in the swirling tornado of blades.

The tsuchigumo countered by spraying a noxious green goo all over Ash. The sickening smell made his eyes water and drained his strength, making it incredibly difficult for him to get up. But Dawn was quick to cast a healing spell, clearing away the noxious goo in a flash of light.

Ash then ran and cut one of his opponent's legs, only to be startled by the tsuchigumo lunging to bite him. It was a long struggle, but almost comical as Ash twisted and writhed around the dusty path. Despite its best efforts to hang on, Ash managed to throw off the tsuchigumo from his arm, making it land against a rock with a sickening thud. Thankfully, his sword arm was not the one bitten.

He examined his wound through the torn sleeve of his robe for a moment as the tsuchigumo circled him, growling all the while. After concluding that it was not serious, he sheathed his blade and reached for Utahime. "Fire of a thousand suns, burn and set my heart aglow...ignite my courage in this song, so all the world my name might know! Resonating Heat Wave!"

With that, he played a calm, yet inspiring song, catching the tsuchigumo off guard as it was engulfed in bright orange flames. Angered at being burned, the tsuchigumo spewed thick purple venom at Ash, but it only splattered the dusty path leading into the woods as Ash leapt on top of a rock, Utahime still in his hand.

The Song of the Six Points resonated through the misty morning air, prompting me to grab my bow. "Ash needs our help--let's go!" I told Dawn as I readied an arrow.

"What would you like me to do?" Dawn asked as she watched my arrow graze the tsuchigumo's head.

"Support the two of us with your healing magic, and use offensive spells when you can." I replied as Ash slashed at another of the tsuchigumo's legs.

Dawn nodded and closed her eyes. "Guiding light from Arceus' land, become a holy sword in my hand! Celestial Blade!"

The tsuchigumo darted away from the rain of shining blades that flew from Dawn's hands, but fell to the ground as each explosion of light made the earth shake. It noticed my aiming another shot, and leapt at my arm, causing me to drop my arrow as I yelped in pain.

My right arm throbbed with the tsuchigumo's venom, but I managed to retrieve my arrow and fire it at another of the tsuchigumo's legs, making blood drip onto the ground.

"Demon Piercing Blade!" Ash called as he cut a star design on the tsuchigumo's skin. It wasn't enough to kill the mighty spider monster, but the technique managed to slow it down considerably.

"Dawn, try a water spell." I suggested as I bound up the wound on my arm. "Maybe if you freeze the tsuchigumo in place, our attacks may have a chance to critically wound it!"

"It's worth a shot." Dawn replied before charging a blue ball of light. "Great Lord, if it be your will, grant me the fury of winter's chill! Subzero Chilling Wind!"

The swirling snow and icicles were the last straw for the tsuchigumo--it skittered through the icicles that surrounded it and bit down hard on Dawn's foot. Try as she might to charge some healing magic, the venom proved too much as she moaned with pain.

"Here..." The town elder offered me a white strip of fabric flecked with green. "Tie this around your friend's foot--it will help with the poison."

"Thanks!" I paused to fire another shot at the tsuchigumo's legs, then tied the herb-flecked ribbon around Dawn's wounded foot. It eased the pain enough for her to cast a healing spell, making her foot good as new.

A "oof" got my attention as the tsuchigumo charged at Ash, sending him flying into a tree. But I managed to shoot at another leg, and Dawn fired a ball of light, which stunned the tsuchigumo.

The tsuchigumo being stunned was enough for Ash to get up and hack at one of the unwounded right legs. But he didn't expect the tsuchigumo to bite him in the leg, poisoning him again. Dawn was quick to heal him, though, and his blade combined with my bow to strike hard.

Dawn noticed that our attacks and fatigue was taking its toll on its opponent--it wasn't moving as swift as it had before. "Now's our chance! Hit it, and hit hard!"

I focused all my rage into my next arrow, making it burst into flames. "Three Burning Arrow!" The townsfolk gasped in awe as I appeared to unleash not one, but three flaming arrows into the tsuchigumo's three remaining unwounded legs.

Ash did likewise, channeling his energy into his blade until it sparkled like thousands of stars. "Glittering Sword of Stars!" The final blow was so strong, and so bright, the crowd saw a few sparks fly onto the ground. But when the light faded away, cheers went up when we saw the tsuchigumo was slain.

"Words cannot express my gratitude for your saving our town." the elder smiled as Dawn healed the rest of our wounds. "As I promised, I will tell you where the Honogin Players are performing next--they will premiere 'The Legend of Yochi, the Song Mystic' in Kasura tomorrow. Kasura is a half day's journey to the east of here, so you should arrive by morning if you left tonight."

We left Oriman later that evening after resting and sharing dinner with the townsfolk. But Ash had a smile on his face as he led the way into the moonlight--just what role was Brock going to play in Yochi's story?

<b>To Be Continued...</b>
 
@Elite Four Lugion; @Tophat Dragoneye;

Tale 6: The Tale of a Friend's Debut (part 1)


"Kiyama? Is the play we're going to see based on an actual legend?" Ash asked as the path to Kasura turned upward.

I nodded. "The story goes that Yochi was once very afraid of battle, but one day, she met a minstrel that could sing magic. She was inspired, and performed for him in return. What neither of them knew was that in the royal palace, a prince was dying, poisoned by a treacherous lord. That is all I will tell of it for now--you'll see the rest of the story for yourself very soon."

The familiar flowing chords of a harp got our attention--and compelled Pikachu to dart off in search of who was playing the beautiful melody.

It turned out Brock was the one playing the harp. Pikachu was sitting at his feet, dreamily watching as the ethereal chords swirled into a triumphant war march. It was like we could see the raging battle in our minds--the rumble of Rapidash hooves, the war cries as the armies charged to battle, the clangs of swords and whistle of arrows, and the screams of the dying as they fell to a rival's weapon.

Then, the fierce battle gave way to a sad, but hopeful melody that represented the battle's aftermath, complete with a few harmonic chords to represent shooting stars. True, Brock was not a <i>yushin</i>--but he could definitely become one if he ever tired of the stage.

Ash led the applause when the last chord faded away. "Bravo!"

"That sounded very nice!" Dawn agreed.

"Thank you--it's one of the songs I have to play as Kashu--the <i>yushin</i> in the play." Brock replied as he set his harp aside and removed the silver fingerpicks from his right hand. "I believe it's called 'Battle on Falan Plains'..."

"That is one name for it, but the tune is also a version of 'Moltres' Flight in Summer' and is known in the west lands as 'Entei Racing Across the Plain'" I explained.

"Is it hard to learn the complex songs in plays, as opposed to playing for fun?" Ash asked as he ran to embrace his friend.

"It can be, but it depends on the tune I have to learn." Brock replied as a light breeze ruffled his brown hair and the red ribbon on his tunic that signified he was primarily a <i>sodai</i> actor. "If any <i>yushin</i> are in the area, they will teach me the tune, its history, and any other names it's known by."

"Pika pi?" Pikachu asked.

"Play some more?" Brock asked. He thought for a moment, then reached for the fingerpicks on the rock by his harp. "All right, I'll play for a little bit longer--when the teion plays its next osomiya, I have to go back to get ready for the show."

Pikachu nodded as Brock slipped on the fingerpicks, then picked up the harp to play again. "Here's one I've been working on--'Dance to Welcome a Yushin'"

With that, he began a prayer like melody that quickened into a festive song--I was in awe at how nimbly his fingers danced across the strings--if there were any wrong notes at all, I couldn't hear them.

It helped that he had a beautiful harp as well. it was shaped much like a bow, with jewel-studded stars and ivy inlays winding around the column. A tiny Beautifly was perched at the column's top, as if inviting all who heard the harp to come and listen.

Brock managed to squeeze in three more tunes before the teion sounded. "It's time." he began as he put the harp and the fingerpicks away. "The show's going to start in an hour."

"We'll see you in the audience, then!" Ash replied. He waved goodbye as he led the way down the hill into town.

<i>Later that night...</i>

"And now, please welcome the Honogin Players to the Forest Glen Theater!" a navy haired girl announced. We applauded as she departed offstage and the orchestra began the overture.

"A long time ago, there lived a mystic named Yochi." the narrator began. "While she lived among the woods by the capital city, she longed to be a great hero like <i>yushin</i> sang about."

The curtains came up on a girl clad in a green and silver mystic's robe. "I am Yochi, a guardian of the forest." she began. "I protect the plants and Pokemon here,
and make sure they are safe
With magic given me from Shaymin's hand
I create miracles from the land.
Yet deep down, my heart's burning desire
Is to be called a hero, as yushin say.
But when I hear word of a tale of woe,
My heart races in fear."

The three teions played hayareya for a moment before Yochi continued. "But today I have nothing to fear. The birds are singing..." A flute played a soft trill to illustrate this. "The wind rustles the trees' branches, and all is at peace."

The lights went down, save for the narrator in his spotlight. "But what Yochi didn't know was that in the royal palace, an evil plot was afoot as Prince Shinzo approached the age of marriage..."

The lights came up on a royal throne room, where a boy in an ornate teal, black, and gold tunic and white leggings listened as a man in a royal blue, gold, purple, and white robe spoke to him. "My son, the year is fast approaching,
When you will choose a princess as a bride,
But with what sort of maid do you desire
to spend a long and happy life?"

"Father, the choice is clear to me..." the prince replied. "My future queen will be as strong and brave as she is beautiful."

"Why do you say that?" the king asked, puzzled.

"It's true that a prince's bride is to love him and give him an heir." the prince explained. "But can she not give me counsel to make wise decisions,
Or even make such decisions by her choice?
Can she not aid me in defending our land,
When evil lurks at Kinmura's door?"

"Of course she can--although I don't know where you would find a princess skilled in a blade or a bow." the king mused. "I promise you that I will find a maid brave enough to suit your hand."

The orchestra played a tense stinger, and the teions began the urgent hayamiya as a spotlight appeared on a man in a black, red, purple, and white robe. "So the prince is almost of age to wed, and seeks a brave maid to protect him..." he sneered over the teions. "But no maid like that he will receive.
He knows not of the coup that I am plotting
That will take his life.
Yet he is only the beginning,
Once he has died,
His parents will too
By the cunning poison trap I plan to set
Then I will have all of Kinmura
Call me their king!"

Boos filled the air as the lights went down. "Why that sneaky double crossing Ekans..." Ash muttered, appalled at the treacherous lord's plot.

"At ease, young warrior--it is only a story." the woman next to Ash assured him. Ash just sighed and focused his attention on the stage as the <i>sozo</i> put the finishing touches on the forest set.

Yochi returned a few moments later. "All is peaceful in the wood, as it should be."

A harp chord in the distance got her attention. "What's this? A harp echoes through the wood...a yushin must be nearby!"

Excited murmurs went up as the lights blinked over to Brock, now clad in a blue, green and silver pattern often reserved for great yushins. "Greetings, travelers...my name is Kashu." he began. "Across the land I wander, no place to call my home,
Yet I do not despair, no matter how far I roam
Song and story is my trade, but I take most delight
In the wonder of my audience's faces
As I tell them of legend..."

He began the prayerful section of the song he was playing before as he continued his monologue. "Though no teion is here to welcome me,
I wait here, harp in hand
Hoping that at least a Pokemon
Longs to hear of a distant land
Of heroes brave and clever
As they seek a princess' hand

Or maybe of wily Tanuki,
Clever people, gods and kings
Even the call of battle
Comes from my harp as it sings...."

With that, he played the "battle" section of the song--and it was just as thrilling to hear the second time around! The crowd seemed to agree, and roared with applause when the last chord died. Our applause was the loudest, though.

"Bravo! Well played!" the actress playing Yochi cried as she entered the scene, also applauding the song.

Brock said nothing, but began the "aftermath" section of the song. When he finished, Yochi asked 'What is a fine yushin like you doing all the away out here?"

"His Majesty has bade me to perform for the prince's birthday tomorrow." Brock explained as he cradled his harp in his hands. "But I am not sure if I should come, if what I hear in town is true...

"What have you heard?" Yochi was curious at this.

"One of the lords at the palace seeks the throne for himself, and is even now plotting to kill the prince." Brock explained. "And who am I to suggest that once the prince is dead, the king and the queen will die as well?"

"Don't speak of things like that!" Yochi gasped. "The more we talk about them, the more likely they'll come true! What I want to know is how your skill is so great to make wilting flowers bloom and fallen trees live again!"

A playful smile formed on Brock's face. "Very well then, mystic, if you must know
How magic power flows from these blessed strings...
The Guardian of Song, Meloetta, granted this power
For me to command my harp to do wondrous things."

"So what did you do to please Meloetta?" Yochi was interested.

"It was no different from how I played for you," Brock explained.
"I played, and Meloetta came to listen
She heard me play old favorites and new tunes for at least an hour,
And was so pleased, she blessed my music with power."

Yochi nodded to show she understood. "Is it possible I can harness such power?"

"It will not be an easy calling...." Brock cautioned,
"You must practice the holy songs--morning, noon, and night,
"But in addition to your innate power
You will learn to harness the other five points,
Fire, wind, water, darkness, and light!"

Yochi gave Brock a little bow. "In return for playing another song, I will become your apprentice in the way of song magic, and all the training and trials it entails."

"Then consider this song a sign of my acceptance." With that, Brock began the tune "Sakura Falling in the Pool", with the lights going down when the last note died....

<b>To Be Continued...</b>
 
@Elite Four Lugion; @Tophat Dragoneye;

Tale 7: The Tale of a Friend's Debut (part 2)


"Meanwhile, the prince retired to his chamber for the night." the narrator continued as Brock's song faded away. "Nakama, his lady in waiting, was puzzled by the prince's desire in a bride, and decided to question him further, unaware that the prince's life was in grave danger."

The lights came up on Prince Shinzo's chamber, where the young prince was resting. "Your Majesty, your choice of a queen is odd." Nakama began. "If it pleases you, will you enlighten me on why your future queen must be brave?"

"It is simple, really..." the prince began. "A good king cannot rule a country on his own--and so the queen must be able to match wits with her beloved. But why is it that every girl I've found knows only of the kitchen?"

Some giggles went up at this as the bells played a mystical melody. "Oh, but Your Highness, Kinmura prides itself on many brave heroines!" Nakama began. "You know well of Kanade and her skill at the bow,
Or of Misha, who sang Pokemon into the world
Little Anzu, whose cleverness rivaled her beauty
Kaya, the queen of dreams
and Mari, the maid who protected a queen
Yushin sing of many more maids than these,
so surely your bride is among them."

The prince sighed. "That's true, Nakama...but where would I find such a maid?"

A tense stinger went up, complete with hayamiya, as Kurayami returned to the stage in disguise as a servant. "The hour has come for His Majesty's evening tea, and in it I have placed a deadly poison, to ravage him through and through." he sneered.

Boos filled the air as Kurayami approached Nakama and offered her the cup with the "poisoned" tea. The teion's hayamiya reached a fever pitch as the prince took the cup from the tray.

"Don't drink it!" Ash pleaded, never mind this was what happened in the story. His cry of "NOOOOOO!!!!" practically overpowered the other gasps and screams as the prince collapsed to the stage in feigned sickness.

"Ash, pipe down!" Dawn hissed over Nakama's panicked monologue. "This is how the story is supposed to go."

"Besides, Yochi would have no quest if Nakama confronted Kurayami now, would she?" I added.

Ash's tearful glance became a reluctant grimace as the sozo set up the forest setting onstage. <i>Okay, if this is how the story is supposed to go, fine. Kiyama's right--if we confronted Kurayami now, there would be no story left.</i>

A harp chord snapped him to attention--Brock was about to call on Meloetta to grant Yochi the power of singing magic! <i>I call upon the Guardian of Song
To listen, and heed these words...</i> he sang as he played.
<i>There is another here that wishes to draw on your power,
Enhancing her powers of earth...</i>

With that, he began singing in the language used for spellsongs--either that, or gibberish that sounded like it. <i>Yozecan, kol an ce miar,
kee wa yana wahhat crir wa hozas yamb yor
pen mias aya.
Wiaks fyelyan yamb kol,
mias ce griupa
Poga ree ce yot
yowr wer mas wa hozas yamb kol!</i>

His next spellsong I recognized as a real spell. <i>Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...</i>

"That's the same spell you sang to defeat the zombie princess!" Dawn gasped.

"It's actually a pretty versatile spell, and one of the Four Great Spellsongs." Ash whispered. "In addition to conjuring forms of fire and light, it can also summon Legendaries that rule over those points. But that can only be done by powerful yushin, priests, or mikos."

"That makes Brock's character a pretty powerful yushin." Dawn mused as a puppet of Meloetta appeared in a flash of light.

"Ye have called, yushin, and I am here." the tiny puppet began. "What is it you desire?"

"This is Yochi, an earth mystic that desires to learn to sing magic." Brock explained, gesturing to the actress playing Yochi.

"You know well I don't give the gift of spellsong to just anyone..." the Meloetta puppet cautioned. "But if you believe she has the potential, I will gave her a chance to prove herself."

"Well, I can play the tikin..." Yochi stammered as a sozo brought her a tikin.

"All right..." the Meloetta puppet replied. "Let's hear you play 'Blossoms Falling on the Road'"

Needless to say, the actress playing Yochi proved to be a master of the tikin--together with Brock backing her on harp, it was almost like we could see the titular blossoms swirling around us as the peaceful melody echoed throughout the theater.

The performance must have touched Ash deeply--it was all he could talk about when we left the theater. He told me later that he hopes that Brock's next performance features a solo like that. If you ask me, he probably has a crush on that actress.

<b>To Be Continued...</b>
 
Please note: The thread is from 13 years ago.
Please take the age of this thread into consideration in writing your reply. Depending on what exactly you wanted to say, you may want to consider if it would be better to post a new thread instead.
Back
Top Bottom