EVERYONE: - Ongoing The Three Guardians Among Lillies

[LightningTopaz]

(Rated E10+ for fantasy violence and frightening images)

Prologue: Arrival of the Three Guardians


Everyone in Kalos knew about Ash's and Serena's defeat of Team Flare, and then their respective paths as pop idols. Some argued that Serena was instrumental in igniting the love of Wakunese pop music--or W-pop--in Kalos.

So when Ash returned to Kalos alongside Misty and Brock as wildly popular trio Houryutora, many places in Kalos sold out of tickets within hours.

In the midst of their first investigations into what Mega Evolution truly was, a group of friends known as Team MZ got their hands on some tickets.

Not knowing a word of Wakunese, Moni decided to ask one of her teammates, Naveen, what Houryutora meant.

The dark skinned boy with a love for sewing and geeky media--including W-pop--motioned for the group to gather around in the war room--which was typically used for pre-mission briefings. There, he would explain what Houryutora meant, and their roles as bodyguards as they traveled with them.

Once all of Team MZ was present, Naveen began his lecture. "In Wakunese folklore and mythology, three sacred beings stand tall among all others." he explained, showing Moni and the other members of Team MZ a beautiful Wakunese painting of a Moltres, a Gyarados, and a Raikou in a Triforce-esque pattern. "The Dragon represents Heaven..." he went on, pointing at the Gyarados. "The Raikou represents Earth..." He pointed out the Raikou. "...and the phoenix represents the fire of the human spirit."

"Okay, that makes sense so far..." Lida mused.

"While most people think that the Pokemon zodiac are the only Pokemon people are born under, in the Wakunese worldview, there are many more Pokemon people are said to be born under besides the zodiac Pokemon." Naveen went on before starting a muted video of Ash singing something. "Phoenix-born people are said to be very strong, courageous, and joyous, like Ash here."

He next changed the video to Misty singing something. "The dragon symbolizes life, growth, wisdom, and harmony. They know there is a time and place for everything, and carefully consider all their options before making a decision. Misty here might come across as powerful and aggressive, but just like the water she commands, she knows there is a time to attack, and a time to defend."

Naveen next changed the video to Brock singing something, accompanying himself on a sleek black acoustic guitar. "The Raikou symbolizes power, courage, and resolve. He is much a master of fine arts as much as martial arts. Your secrets and promises are safe with a Raikou-born--once they promise you something, they will keep it, no matter what."

He concluded "So when a phoenix born, a dragon-born, and a Raikou-born get together in a friendship, amazing things are said to happen. Their friendship will never fall apart, and last a lifetime. They laugh together, cry together, travel together, fight together--and in some Wakunese stories, have even died together."

"Wow...that powerful, huh..." Moni smiled.

"So that is why the act is named Houryutora." Naveen explained. "Ash is the phoenix--the 'hou'--Misty is the dragon--the 'ryu'--and Brock is the Raikou--or 'tora'."

He went on "Serena asked us to help serve as bodyguards for Houryutora on their tour, while also helping them out. I'm helping by making their stage outfits, Lida volunteered as one of the backup dancers, Urbaine is making the epic behind the scenes documentary and vlog on the tour...

"...and I'll help Urbaine edit his footage." Moni volunteered. "And provide pictures for the text posts that go with the videos."

"Okay then...the tour kicks off in Vaniville Town in a few days." Naveen explained. "We'll meet Serena there tomorrow morning to make our prep for the tour."

 

[LightningTopaz]

Episode 1: Kicking Off the Kalosian Tour

(what Misty and Brock cover)


The train ride to Vaniville was uneventful, for the most part. Urbaine had gotten instructions from Serena that we were to go to the Theatre Vanille to pitch in with our preparations. This included Lida getting fitted for backup dancer costumes, Naveen taking Ash's Misty's and Brock's measurements for their costumes (Serena had her own team, so she had her coords and backup dancers already present.) and Urbaine and me to set up for pictures and video--both behind the scenes moments and the actual show itself.

Watching Serena hurry to embrace Ash in a joyous Ursaring hug as soon as we arrived caught us both off guard, so her waves of blonde mingling with Ash's mop of black hair and his lucky cap was immediately immortalized in a photo. I had to caption it "Two heroes, together again."

Urbaine, meanwhile, was preoccupied with setting up his video gear as I got shots of Misty talking with who I assumed was their manager. A small flash of sun made her orange hair appear to sparkle for a moment as she returned to her dressing room. After saying his goodbyes to Serena, I spotted Ash making a beeline for a dressing room, presumably to change into his coord for rehearsal.

"Moni--want to help me film this first vlog of the tour?" Urbaine asked, admiring his video set up near a rehearsal area. "Lida's going to be practicing over there in a minute."

"Sure!" I hurried over to the rehearsal area, stopping to take a picture or two of Brock, now in a sparkling green and gold coord with leaf decor, tuning a gold-orange Paldean guitar...

---------

"Hi, this is Le Voyageur, Urbaine, reporting live from somewhere in Vaniville Town." Urbaine announced to the camera some time later. "Famed W-pop group Houryutora..."

"You said it right..." Ash assured Urbaine out of the camera's view.

Urbaine acknowledged Ash with a nod, then continued his intro to his vlog. "Famed W-pop group Houryutora is kicking off a Kalosian tour here, and so I have an all access pass to what's going on behind the scenes--such as 'What DOES a W-pop dance practice look like?' Especially if one of your friends is going to be participating in the tour?"

"Hi!" Lida, now in a sparkly blue costume similar to what Misty was wearing, waved to the camera, then continued walking through a dance with Misty.

"What's the name of this song we're practicing?" Urbaine asked as he approached Misty just as she and Lida finished going over the dance.

"This is a cover of a song by project group Mews--'Mermaid Festa vol. 1'." Misty explained. "There are other volumes, but we picked this one to cover because of its summery and festive beat."

"I see--what exactly do you mean by a project group?" Urbaine asked.

"A project group refers to a large group of idols--usually specifically for a TV show or anime, or formed as the result of an idolmaking reality show." Brock explained as he stepped into the frame, Paldean guitar in hand. "They usually disband after the show or anime they were made for ends, but some continue their activities well into the future."

"The Raikou amazes with his wisdom!" Urbaine smiled. "But now, let's return to the dragon teaching Lida!"

"...I'm going to be singing in Wakunese instead of English, so is that okay?" Misty asked Lida as they prepared to do the dance with some semblance of music.

"It'd be cool to learn the meaning of the words later, but I think I can follow your lead and the other dancers." Lida replied.

"Are we ready for Lida's first try with music?" Brock asked as he arrived with his guitar.

"When you're ready!" Lida called as she struck her starting pose.

With that, Brock and Misty kicked off the Paldean infused song. No, tomenaide anata kara atsuku nare...

Lida looked like a natural as she did the dance alongside Misty's own singing and dancing and Brock's Paldean guitar, despite probably only having a few hours to learn it. Then again, she has a knack for naturally picking up dance routines with very little time to practice. Urbaine's camera caught every step, jump, and spin, doing a way better job capturing Lida's and Misty's skill than a still camera ever could.

By the time I met back up with Naveen and Urbaine for the show that night, I was excited to see how Lida would do alongside several other backup dancers and Misty with full music.

We didn't have to wait too long for the cover of "Mermaid Festa vol. 1". Brock's opening riff revealed Lida and the other dancers on a riser behind a set that evoked that iconic Wakunese wave painting. No, tomenaide anata kara atsuku nare... Misty sang from her position in the middle of the top riser, spurring us to clap along with the audience as the Paldean infused music kicked in...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Interlude: The Awakening of the Halcyon


As Aurora approached an elaborate building away from the chaos, the group were met by Melody and a large pink Pokemon with a shell-like "crown" on its head. "Welcome back, heroes...this is the Shamouti Shrine, where the hero of old placed the three orbs to quell the raging birds."

She gestured to the pink Pokemon. "And this is Slowking, the shrine's guardian."

Slowking inspected Ash's bag for a moment. Welcome, hero--you have done well to bring two of the three orbs here. You may place the Orb of Fire and Orb of Lightning on the pedestals inside, and I will keep them safe. Once you have the Orb of Ice, bring it here.

"Okay!" Ash smiled as he elegantly jumped from Aurora's back onto the ground, then followed Slowking inside the shrine with Misty, Brock, and Melody looking on.

After gently setting the Orb of Fire on the east pedestal, and the Orb of Lightning on the west pedestal, Ash felt the floor begin to rumble. "Uh oh..."

[I have a bad feeling about this...] Tintri shuddered as Ash reunited with the others minutes before the three birds unleashed an explosion of flames, thunder, and ice! "Not a Tri-Attack I want to see!" Misty gasped as she and Brock braced themselves for the end...

A familiar song like cry filled the air, snapping Ash to attention. "Is that..."

"Lugia! It's Lugia!" Misty cried, watching as the familiar silver dragon bird flew to meet the angry Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.

Lawrence watched in awe as Lugia veered around the various fire blasts, thunderbolts, and ice crystals raining down from above. "Yes...yes! My prize has appeared at last!"

Gatrandis favel... Lugia attempted to start the Swanna Song, but veered away from an ice crystal blast from Articuno. Gatrandis--! He tried again, but veered away from a thunderbolt from Zapdos. Gatrandis--!

"NOOOOOO!!!!" Ash screamed as a fire blast from Moltres hit Lugia point black, sending the majestic silver dragon bird falling to the ground...

"If Lugia isn't dead already from that vicious attack, hitting the ground probably will kill him!" Brock gasped, hurrying to spread out a large blanket on the ground in a desperate effort to cushion Lugia's fall.

Misty heaved a sigh of relief and sadness as Lugia landed on the huge blanket with a soft "POOMPH." "I hope he's still alive..."

An ocarina playing a familiar melody made Ash's tears turn to joy. "The song from the festival ceremony!"

The group watched in relief and amazement as many colors of light surrounded the wounded Lugia, healing his wounds. Thank you, Melody. it replied telepathically, his majestic voice echoing in the group's minds. And thank you three, for saving my life.

He next addressed Ash. Hero of harmony, your goal is in sight. Go now to Shimmerice Cavern, retrieve the orb inside, and bring it back here. Only then will I be able to restore my full strength, and fulfill the prophecy.

"But how?" Ash protested. "The prophecy says, quote, 'Though the water's great guardian shall arise to quell the fighting, alone its song will fail, lest the earth shall turn to ash'. So how can I still save the world when you were almost killed?"

Something dawned on Misty. "Wait a second--what if the 'lest the earth shall turn to ash' part doesn't so much as refer to the end of the world....but instead refers to the world relying on someone named Ash as the Chosen One to save it?"

"Worth letting our Ash give it a try." Brock agreed.

[You've come this far, sport--we can't give up now.] Blaze purred.

[The real Link wouldn't give up in a time like this!] Saria agreed. [He would keep trying to save the world, no matter what!]

Ash weakly smiled as he looked out at his friends and his team smiling back at him in support. "This is no time for a pity party! We need to get to Shimmerice Cavern, for Lugia's sake!"

"That's the spirit!" Misty smiled as Ash clambored back aboard Aurora, his spirits renewed. "I'll chart a safe course there right away!"

We'll protect the two orbs here and Lugia for as long as we can. Slowking agreed. Good luck, hero.

 

[LightningTopaz]

Episode 2: On the Road in Kalos


"So what happens when a concert is done?" Moni asked as Houryutora's human and Pokemon crew packed up in preparation for their next stop. "Wouldn't it take hours to pack everything up?"

"Nope." Ash replied. "Between Fighting type Pokemon and Psychic type Pokemon, we have everything packed up in minutes. The three of us go on ahead to the next stop, and the Psychic types warp all our gear to the next stop. What we can carry--essentials, tolietries, keepsakes from home, and so on--we carry ourselves."

A familiar red, blue, and green bus got Misty's attention. "And there's the bus!"

"Serena and her crew are already in Clairbleu Town, our next stop, setting up." Brock explained. "All we have to do is meet her there."

As the bus pulled away from Vaniville Town, Misty decided to strike up a conversation with Team MZ. "So, what is it you're doing when you guys say you're investigating Mega Evolution?"

"Actually, we're investigating several things, but they all tie back to Mega Evolution." Naveen explained. "A, we're trying to understand it better based on what Prof. Sycamore has discovered about it, and how Ash and Serena have interacted with it..."

"Did he ever discover stuff about it!" Lida smiled. "We haven't even made a dent in reading all his papers!"

"B, we've heard rumors Team Flare has been working underground to try and harness the power of Mega Evolution, and make a triumphant return." Moni explained. "But most of what we've found on that front is rumor so far."

"...and C, we've heard rumors that Pokemon capable of it can undergo the transformation without a Heart Song if under high amounts of stress." Urbaine explained. "This has led to the number of Pokemon that can Mega Evolve making a dramatic jump in number. The downside of this being that without a human conveying a positive emotion to them via the Heart Song, the process of Mega Evolution is actually painful."

"So our feelings of joy, bravery, resolve, and so on dulls the pain of the process?" Ash wondered. He hadn't thought of Mega Evolution as painful before.

"From what we understand, the power of a human's positive emotion, conveyed through song, resonates with the positive emotion in a Pokemon's heart, making the induction of Mega Evolution painless--this is how Mega Evolution is supposed to work." Naveen explained. "But when the emotion in a Pokemon's heart is negative, that negativity needs to be canceled out by the Heart Song for an easy induction. Without a human's Heart Song to balance emotions like anger, sadness, or fear, Mega Evolution is painful, and often causes the poor Pokemon to go wild. Prof. Sycamore called this phenomenon Rogue Mega Evolution."

"That actually makes sense!" Misty smiled.

A thought occurred to her. "Starmie...has Starmie had a Mega Evolution discovered?"

"Yes!" Urbaine proudly showed Misty a picture of a glittering silver white Starmie with a ring of colorful gems around its red core. "This one was induced safely--I asked its trainer if she could induce it."

"Wow!" Misty gasped, starry eyed over the picture. "I can't wait to see Pearl looking like that!"

"What about Pikachu?" Now Ash was curious. "Could Tintri potentially Mega Evolve?"

"Well..." Neveen thought for a moment, watching Ash pet his faithful Pikachu all the while. "According to Prof. Sycamore's research, Pikachu can't Mega Evolve, but Raichu can--two different forms. You'd have to somehow find a way to temporarily evolve to Raichu, then induce it."

"Prof. Sycamore did say that such a phenomenon--he called it 'warp evolution'--would only be possible between a trainer and Pokemon that had a very deep bond. So Ash and his Pikachu Tintri would make the perfect test subjects for his theory." Moni agreed.

"Well, whatever help you need in your investigations, we'll do what we can as we tour Kalos." Brock offered."

"We'd be honored to have the Phoenix, Dragon, and Raikou join Team MZ as honorary members." Urbain smiled. "I've heard you guys have traveled around the world as trainers before you hung up your trainer hats, so you must have a ton of stories you can tell that could help us out!"

"I'll be happy to share what I can remember of my trip around Kalos with Serena in tow..." Ash smiled before noticing a road sign that said "Clairbleu Town--2 miles". "But for now, we need to focus on our music!"

 

[LightningTopaz]

Episode 3: The Flare Reignites, the Phoenix Sings

(the basic tune of the Song of Hope)

Meanwhile, in an undisclosed part of Lumiose City...

"A trio of pop stars?" a red haired girl asked as her red haired brother followed the bus on a holographic map. "Just how dangerous can a trio of W-pop stars be to our plan to resurrect Team Flare?

"These are no ordinary pop stars, Griselle..." the boy explained. "They are human incarnations of three heroes of Wakunese mythology--the Phoenix, the Dragon, and the Raikou. If we're going to carry on Lysandre's dream of a more beautiful world, we need them out of the way."

"And how do you propose we do that, Grisham?" Griselle wasn't so sure.

"While I was looking around the ruins of the old hideout for stuff we could use, I found some of these..." Grisham proudly held up a corked test tube of a glowing scarlet liquid with yellow specks labeled 'Flare Energy'. "Based on what I've unearthed of the boss' old writings so far, a little of this stuff can induce Mega Evolution without a Heart Song in a Pokemon that can Mega Evolve."

"But we can't just dump this into the city water supply!" Griselle protested. "The last thing we want is for people to get sick, and/or die."

"Worry not, sis." Grisham smiled. "If I can somehow find a way to spray this stuff into the air, that would trigger Mega Evolution without harming people along the way. Our first priority is to keep people safe for now."

"Okay..." Griselle sighed. "We can't let people know what we're doing, so we need a cover so our plan doesn't get blown wide open like the boss' original plan did. He blabbed to that blondie...Serena, I think her name was? and Team Flare just imploded from there as she and her black haired Wakunese friend defeated them."

"I've considered this as well..." Grisham smiled as he showed his sister a coffee cup. "To the citizens of Kalos, we're just a roving coffee truck. People can relax, chill, have some good coffee, and no one has a clue who we really are or what we are really doing--our Wakunese guests included."

"I can think of one being that would know who we really are--the guardian said to sleep in Prism Tower--how would we keep it from waking up?" Griselle mused. "If Ange wakes up, we're defeated once again..."

"It would take something on an apocalyptic level to wake Ange up--all we want to do is just cause some panic before we step in and declare Team Flare reborn." Grisham smiled. "So, let's get to work building our coffee truck cover, and see if the boss or the old admins left any more notes about Flare Energy."

"Good idea!" Griselle smiled before hurrying off to brainstorm drink ideas for their coffee truck front...

---------

"So what was this you said about a sleeping guardian of Prism Tower?" Ash asked as the bus arrived before a large theater near the central square of Clairbleu Town.

"According to our research, after you and Serena defeated Team Flare the first time, AZ charged his guardian Floette, Ange, to watch over Lumiose, and all of Kalos." Urbaine explained as a white fairy-like creature holding a black and red flower hovered by him. "The Floette with me might appear to be a real Floette, but she is only a projection of Ange--the real Ange sleeps inside Prism Tower, only to wake if something threatens Kalos again."

"Then, is it okay if I can sing my special song to Ange somewhere in the show?" Ash requested as he led the group off the bus. "As a promise we'll do our part to help her should she wake?

"Of course!" Lida smiled. "Sing your hardest tonight, and she might hear you all the way in Prism Tower!"


---------

That evening, red lightsticks lit up the Bluesky Theatre as the backing band played the intro to Ash's signature song, the Song of Hope. Let us take the time to grieve, let the tears begin to fall,
Down upon the earth like rain, until it becomes the sea... Ash sang as he walked across the stage, stopping near where Urbaine, Harmonie, and Naveen were seated.

He then looked out at the rest of the huge crowd. One day we will look back, and reflect upon this day.
We'll remember that we loved, then we'll let that love run free!

Let our love shine on, through the mist of many years,
Deep inside my heart, is the hope that's roamed everywhere!

He then looked out at the sea of silver, red, blue, and green lightsticks in the theater. When you're in despair, and the rain falls,
I will sing, and summon forth the sun! As if on cue, the "rain" lighting effect on the stage dissipated, and the set's "sky" became a colorful sunrise!

I will sing of dreams, and what could be
I'll be right here by your side,
Singing a song of hope...

He then started the second verse. On those nights without a moon, and you're waiting all alone,
You can come and stay with me, I won't even ask you why.

Beautifly, awake! It's the miracle of life!
The circle of life, it goes on...and it will endure!

When the sun rises, and lights the world,
That is when all our dreams come true!
I'll be by your side, protecting you
I will sing a song for you,
A song to touch your heart!

A smile formed on Harmonie's face as Ash started the song's bridge. Now if my voice should reach you, and my song should touch your heart,
I hope it heals all of your grief and pain.
Then if you hear Him calling you to go and do the same,
Go forth, and heal the world through your song!

Ash looked out on the audience again, and unleashed the final two choruses. When you're in despair, and the rain falls,
I will sing, and summon forth the sun!
I will sing of dreams, and what could be
I'll be right here by your side,
Singing a song of hope, ah...

When the sun rises, and lights the world,
That is when all our dreams come true!
I'll be by your side, protecting you
I will sing a song for you,
A song to touch your heart!

The crowd roared and lightsticks waved as Ash took a bow, then the lights went down for the next song of the concert...