Tale 98: The Legend of the Pokemon Zodiac (Ash)

(real tale: The Zodiac Calender Race)

Misty brings up the newspaper on her Pokegear and flips to the horoscope section. "Growlithe--your need to feel like a part of something larger is dominant today...."

"Ooh! What does Raikou say for today?" Ash asks.

After bringing up the Raikou sign, Misty reads "Raikou--This is not a good day to act impulsively -- make sure you've got every angle figured out before making your move."

"Easier said than done." Brock muses as Ash blushes with embarrassment. "What does Gyarados say?"

"Gyarados--Don't take anyone's word for it today -- investigate everything yourself." Misty reads.

[How come there's no Meowth in the zodiac?] Korra asks.

"To answer that question, you have to go back long ago, when Arceus was creating the world." Ash explains. "You see, long, long ago, Arceus was looking for a way to measure time, and so he called upon the Pokemon of the world to gather. When most of them had arrived, he explained his plan: There would be a race — across a vast plain, through a forest, over a mountain, and at last across a wide, raging river."

[Oh my...] Mai gasps, impressed.

"The first 12 Pokemon to cross the finish line, Arceus said, would have a part of the year to rule over." Ash explains. "He decreed the race would begin the next day at dawn."

"Interesting..." Brock muses.

"Meowth scampered off at once to tell his best friend Pikachu about the race." Ash continues. He asked that Pikachu wake him up in the morning, as he was prone to sleeping late. Pikachu agreed, but just before dawn he woke with a start and completely forgot to wake Meowth as he scurried to the starting line. By the time Meowth woke up, the race had already begun. As fast as he could, Meowth ran toward the starting line. When he saw the others in the far distance and only dust in their wake, he yowled with fury. Now he would never be part of the zodiac!"

He notes as an aside "That's why Meowth has been chasing Pikachu, hoping to take his revenge."

"Oh, but sometimes Meowth has another reason to catch Pikachu." Misty giggles as she remembers past run ins with Team Rocket.

"Anyway, Pikachu was so excited, he forgot all about Meowth." Ash goes on When he saw the others at the starting line, however, his heart quaked. He could not run half as fast as many of them, and Pikachu was not necessarily a good swimmer. But Pikachu was cunning."

"Pika." Pikachu smiles in agreement.

"He noticed Tauros, and knowing Tauros was a strong swimmer and rather gullible, Pikachu sprinted to catch up with him. He asked Tauros if he would let him ride on his head. Tauros was a kind Pokemon, and he agreed to let Pikachu sit on his head. He was making good time, panting hard but far ahead of the others. When he reached the river, he leaped in and swam with all his strength.

When Tauros and the Pikachu could see the finish line in the distance, Pikachu leapt onto land and sprinted to the finish line. So it was Pikachu who was the first to arrive, and that is why the first section of the year, from March 21st to April 19th, is ruled by Pikachu. The second section of the year, from April 20th to May 20th, is ruled by Tauros, for he finished one step behind."

"So that's two, then who came next?" Melody wonders.

"Raikou was not far behind, but the current in the river pushed him downstream. No matter how hard he paddled, he could not keep up with Tauros and he reached the finish line third, so the third section of the year, from May 21st to June 21st, is ruled by Raikou." Ash explains. "Next came Buneary, who had planned to cross the river by jumping from rock to rock. Alas, in the middle of the river she lost her balance and nearly drowned."

[What did Buneary do?] Korra worries.

"She grabbed a log that was floating past." Ash assures Korra. "Wet and wide-eyed, Buneary held fast and floated toward the shore. Meanwhile, Gyarados was just passing overhead--in those days Gyarados could fly in the air as well as water."

"Hm..." Brock smiles.

"Everyone thought Gyarados would surely win since he could fly, and at first he was ahead, but when he passed a land where everyone was dying of thirst, his heart ached and he stopped to make rain for the people." Ash continues. "Then, when he saw Buneary holding onto the log for dear life, again his heart ached. He huffed and puffed and let forth a great wind that pushed the log to shore. Buneary jumped to safety and on to the finish, just ahead of Gyarados."

He adds as an aside "Buneary understood how much Gyarados had done to help, and ever since that day those who are born from June 22nd to July 22nd, when Buneary rules, enjoy good fortune when matched with those born from July 23rd to August 22nd, when Gyarados rules."

I wonder if Nurse Joy is a Buneary... Brock wonders.

Misty shoots him an angry look. Don't even go there!

"As the first five finishers caught their breath, they were startled to hear thundering hooves, and they looked up to see Ponyta galloping toward them." Ash continues. "But she didn't see Ekans coiled around her leg. Just as Ponyta was about to cross the finish line, she saw Ekans and was so startled, she took a step back.--that is how Ekans rules over the dates between August 23 to September 22nd, and Ponyta rules over the dates between September 23rd to October 22nd."

Brock counts the Pokemon that have finished. "That's seven out of twelve, then who was next?"

"Meanwhile, Combusken, Mankey, and Mareep were running toward the river." Ash goes on. When Combusken saw the other two, he had an idea--why not work together?"

"What was Combusken's plan?" Misty is piqued.

"So Mankey, Combusken, and Mareep built a raft and made paddles." Ash explains. "With all their strength, they paddled their way across the river, and when they landed, they leaped out. Mareep pulled ahead of Mankey, who barely beat Combusken to the finish line. They became signs eight, nine, and ten."

"If you're curious, Combusken rules October 23rd to November 21st; Mareep rules November 22nd to December 21st, and Mankey rules December 22nd to January 19th." Misty adds as she consults the Pokenav again.

"Meanwhile, Arceus saw that Growlithe would likely come in 11th, for he was a strong swimmer." Ash explains However, he so loved to play in the water that he was in there splashing around, losing time. The other Pokemon called for him to hurry and he paddled hurriedly to shore. Just as he reached land, Tepig was not far behind. It took him some time to cross the line."

"What took Tepig so long?" Brock asks.

"Tepig admitted he'd stopped to eat, and he'd eaten too much, and he'd grown sleepy." Ash replies. "For a while he had slept beneath a nice, shady tree, and he woke up just in time to see Growlithe run by."

He concludes "Arceus congratulated the 12 finishers--Growlithe would rule the dates between January 20th and February 18th, and Tepig would rule the dates between February 19 to March 20th. And that is why the Pokemon Zodiac has the Pokemon it does."

[Fascinating!] a Meowth notes as he applauds...