The Tale of the Red Mage's Journey

[EmeraldSky]

In celebration of "Pokemon"'s 20th anniversary and "The Legend of Zelda"'s 30th anniversary this year, I present to you a fantastic Pokemon adventure set in a Zelda-like world.

(rated E10+ for fantasy violence and frightening images)

Prologue: The Eight-color Blade

It is a story long told in the world of Mikawa...long ago, the Legendary Pokemon forged a beautiful sword blessed with the powers of the elements to protect the world from evil. Because this sword glowed in eight colors, it became known to the races of Mikawa as the Eight-color Blade.

For a time, the Eight-color Blade remained in the realm of mortals, and was sought by many great heroes. Those worthy enough to wield the blade were few in number--being a holy weapon, the Eight-color Blade did not look at outward appearances, but instead judged the heart of the potential wielder--and woe to those who dared to use it for their own glory!

After far too many wars both large and small were fought over this holy blade, The Great Lord Arceus, chief of the Legendaries, and the one that created the world and all in it, returned the blade to the heavens, only appearing to worthy wielders to grant them the use of it.

The Legendaries agreed that not just anyone skilled with a sword could wield the Eight-color Blade, but what if evil struck, and its holy powers were needed? Arceus decided to drain the sword of its elemental powers, and hide the gems used to grant them in well guarded labyrinths to deter the unworthy. The blade itself, while still powerful, was hidden in what is known today as Glasa Forest.

Most legends say that in hours of great need, only a great hero can draw the blade from its pedestal--and the one that does must then go on a great journey to unlock its full potential, and awaken the god Pokemon Arceus.

Of course, this did not deter would be wielders from attempting to draw the sword--most of them could not budge the blade at all, but those that could draw the blade either were lost wandering the labyrinths (where they have been presumed dead) or could not handle the long and perilous quest wielders of the sword had to undertake.

And so the Eight-color Blade remained in its pedestal, and Mikawa's peoples were at peace--peace many hoped would last forever.

But as is often the case in this world, that was not to be.

Not long ago, a wizard named Lysandre released the destruction bird Yveltal from her prison deep underground, unleashing an evil magic not seen in a thousand years--many Pokemon have gone wild, and monsters roam the land, bringing terror and despair in their wake.

Like many others before them, many would be heroes made the journey to Glasa Forest to attempt to draw the sword, but one by one, they failed, as the Eight-color Blade can only be drawn by one whose heart was courageous, true, and unselfish.

My tale for you all is about one such hero that drew the sword, endured the long quest, and defeated Lysandre once and for all.

How do I know this tale is true, you ask? I was there alongside the wielder as he traveled, lending the magic of song to his cause.

So hear now the tale of the red mage Ash--who I am proud to call my friend--and how he awakened the Eight-color Blade...

[Kentucky Fried Torchic]

This is off to an incredibly promising start! You did a wonderful job of blending the world of Pokemon with legendary tales of heroes and artifacts, and all done in a very bardic style of myth-making! The touch of the narrator being an actual person and singing the praises of not just Ash the hero, but Ash their friend gives it a nice personal feel to it. I'm looking forward to reading more!

[EmeraldSky]

The reason why the prologue has a bardic feel is because a minstrel (Brock) is telling us, the audience, the prologue.

The story is not just limited to Pokemon and Zelda for its inspirations--there's also whispers of classic Final Fantasy too.

[EmeraldSky]

Episode 1: The Minstrel's Wisdom

(Brock's tale)

A black haired boy watched as his companion, a blonde haired ranger, aimed her final shot of the morning at an unsuspecting Pidgey perched in a tree. While the residents of Vitiva would enjoy the small bird Pokemon's meat, the boy would use the feathers to decorate talismans and charms to sell to the town alchemist, who would in turn sell them to the public.

After a few tense seconds, the arrow went flying, and the Pidgey fell to the ground, scattering the other Pidgeys in the tree. "Nice shot, Serena." the mage smiled over the Pidgey's warning cries as he ran to retrieve their quarry.

The ranger was awed at the size of the Pidgey. "Never seen one with that much meat before...combined with the Bunearies and other Pidgeys we shot earlier today, we have enough meat for at least two weeks!"

A thought occurred to her. "Does the alchemist know how to make hunting charms, Ash?"

"It depends on what you mean by hunting charms...if you mean charms to assist a hunter's accuracy and speed, then yes, he knows how to make those." Ash replied as he deposited the lifeless Pidgey into a bag. "If we mean charms to attract game, then no."

He smiled. "But then again, you've trained to hunt and track quarry, so I don't see why you would need a hunting charm." Serena just giggled in agreement as she followed her friend back to town, where the residents of Vitiva were just beginning to wake up.

---------

After dropping off their haul of meat in the smokehouse to be prepared and preserved, Ash and Serena met back in the town square to share a quick breakfast of some pastries, Berries, and cheese. "Miss us, bud?" Ash grinned to the small electric mouse that clambered on his shoulder, eager to sample the Oran, Pecha, and Cheri Berries in its master's bundle of food.

"I'd say he did--Pikachu was still asleep when we left." Serena replied before biting into a cream-filled pastry.

The notes of a lute and an older male voice singing in an mystical language snapped Serena to attention. "Sir Brock's here!"

A grin formed on Ash's face as he noticed the brown haired young man in the magnificent purple, red, and gold costume of a high minstrel approaching the town square. "I was wondering if he'd ever come this week--people were saying something horrible had happened in Argenta..."

"If there were something like a flood or a rock slide in Argenta, Brock would use his magic to quickly let us know if he was all right." Serena assured Ash, her eyes sparkling with excitement over what sorts of songs and stories their minstrel friend had to tell this week.

"Thank Arceus you could make it to us this week...." Ash got up and hugged Brock as a crowd of children hurried to the square. "We were worried something had happened to you!"

"Peace, Sir Ash--I merely took a longer route to get here, since the alternative was getting lost in Glasa Forest." Brock replied.

"Some people think there's an evil wizard afoot that caused the Eight Color Blade's pedestal to appear, but who knows?" Serena reported as more and more people arrived to watch Brock's performance. "The uproar got so bad, Sage Oak decided to look into the matter to calm the townsfolk."

"If there is an evil wizard afoot, usually the fey and the elves are the first to know." Brock reminded Serena.

With that, he switched to his preferred instrument--a circle shaped silver harp with sapphire and emerald inlays--and began weaving an epic adventure for the crowd. "Those who seek the injury of another will often injure themselves; and one who spreads the traps of treachery and deception often fall into them themselves."

"A wise lesson." Ash grinned, anticipating what this story would be about.

"Hear now the tale of Jeran and Epona, and how they outwitted an old king, causing him to fall into his own trap." Brock began, quieting the excited chatter.

With that, he began "Across the wide ocean, on the further side of the mountains, beyond thick forests, in a village that faced the sky, there once lived an old peasant who had three sons. The eldest, whose name is not important to us, was the wisest young man in the village; the second, whose name is also unimportant, was of average wits; and the youngest, who was named Jeran, cared to do nothing more than lie in the corner by the stove and sleep. So the whole neighborhood called him stupid and a fool."

"Oh, but sometimes the stupid know more than we think!" Serena grinned as whispers of anger wafted through the crowd--"Jeran and Epona", and its many other versions, was one of hers' and Ash's favorites to hear.

The harp calmed the crowd's anger. "Now, one morning when the man went to his fields, he found that someone had stolen some of the hay during the night." Brock continued. "So that evening he sent his eldest son to capture the thief. The eldest son took his axe and pitchfork, and went to the field."

He played a few flowing chords to mimic a winter wind. "On this night, there was a bitter wind and heavy snow, and he said to himself, 'Why should I freeze myself stiff to save a little worthless fodder?' So, finding a warm corner, he lay down, wrapped himself in his thick fur coat and went to sleep. In the morning he saw that some of the hay had been stolen, and told his father he had chased the thief all over the field, but could not catch him, nearly freezing to death in the process. His father praised him for his efforts, and the next night sent his second son. So the middle son went to the field, but he fared no better than his big brother."

So what was taking the hay, milord?" the alchemist asked.

"The next evening the man told Jeran to try and capture the thief, although he had his doubts over how a fool could succeed where wise men had failed." Brock explained over a tense melody. "Jeran put a crust of bread under his coat and went off to the field. He did not lie down as his brothers had done, but scoured the entire field, and when Lugia took flight in his silver glory he sat down under a bush, counted the stars in the sky and ate his midnight snack...."

---------

"...But the beautiful Princess Marla turned away from him and said..." Brock then switched to a pitch perfect mimic of a young girl. "Your Majesty, you are wrinkled and gray, and have seen sixty summers before now, while I am only sixteen. Should I marry you, the kings and queens of all the kingdoms of the world would laugh, saying that a grandfather had taken his grandchild as his bride."

Ash and Serena laughed the loudest as the crowd pictured the ridiculous scene. "It is true that flowers do not bloom in winter and that I am no longer young." Brock explained in character as the king. "But I am nevertheless a great king."

"I will wed no one who has gray hairs and lacks teeth in his head." he replied as Princess Marla. "If you will somehow grow young again, then will I gladly wed you."

"How can a man grow young again?" he asked as the king.

"There is a way, milord." he smiled as Princess Marla. "Order three great cauldrons to be placed in thy courtyard. Fill the first with cold water, the second with boiling water, and the third with boiling milk. He who bathes one minute in the boiling milk, two in the boiling water, and three in the cold water, becomes young and so handsome that no minstrel can describe them. Do this and I will become your queen, but not before."

"No matter how many times Brock mimics a girl, it amazes me." Ash grinned.

"He's likely has had plenty of practice to mimic us both." Serena replied before turning her attention to the high minstrel.

"The king immediately had the three cauldrons prepared." Brock continued as himself. "The jealous nobles however, came to him and asked Jeran to take the trial before him, just to be sure the princess' claim was true. So the king summoned Jeran, and bade him prepare for the trial. When Jeran heard the king's command he said to himself, 'So I am to be killed like a sacrificial Mareep or Combusken...'" and trudged to the stables and told Epona..."

"You have found the Emboar with the Golden Bristles, the mare Starfire, and the beautiful Princess Marla; but now these are all as nothing and my life is as worthless as an old boot!" he sighed in frustration, using a mimic of Ash for Jeran.

"Cry not, young master." he assured an imagined person, using a mimic of Serena for Epona. "Listen closely. When you go to the courtyard, before you take off your clothes to bathe, ask he king to bring me to you, under the presumption you are bidding me farewell for the last time. He will agree and when I am brought there, lay your hands on me and sing the words 'Leishu shun ji, lei si'. Once the spell takes effect, immediately jump in the caldron of boiling milk, then into the boiling water, and finally into the cold water."

As himself, Brock went on "It was not long before the guards came to bring Jeran to the courtyard. All the advisors and ministers were there to watch, while the king looked on from a balcony. Two of the cauldrons were boiling hot, and servants fed the great fires beneath them with mountains of wood. Jeran bowed low before the king and prepared for the trial." He proceeded to do this before Sage Oak, making the sage stifle a chuckle that he had been tapped to play a role in the epic adventure.

"Your Majesty! I have but one favor to ask." he requested as Jeran. "I want Epona brought here, so that I may embrace her one last time!"

As himself, he continued "The king was in a good mood, believing he was about regain his youth, and he consented, and no sooner was Epona brought out, did Jeran lay his hands on her, singing the words Leishu shun ji, lei si...

Oohs and ahhs went up as a protective aura appeared around Brock for a moment, never mind the aura was only for show. "Without waiting a moment Jeran threw off his clothes, and jumped into the cauldrons, one after the other. While he had been good- ooking before, he emerged from the last cauldron so handsome that his beauty could neither be described with a pen nor told in a tale."

"WOW!!!" Serena gasped, starry eyed as she imagined what Jeran may have looked like.

When the king saw this, he could wait no longer." Brock continued. "He hurried down from the balcony and without waiting to undress, jumped into the boiling milk."

Laughter went up over the harp's glissando representing the king's jump. "But as he did not know the spell of protection, he was burned alive!" Brock smirked.

"Not to mention his heart was impure, as well." Sage Oak grinned.

"Princess Marla came to the balcony and spoke to the people, saying..." Brock then switched to his "Princess Marla" voice. "Your king chose me to be his queen. If you wish, I will rule this kingdom, but it will be only as the wife of him who brought me from my homeland!"

Over a festive melody, Brock went on as himself "The people, well pleased, shouted 'Long live King Jeran!'.

Cheers went up over the harp. "So Jeran led the lovely Princess Marla to the shrine, and there before Arceus they were married that very day." Brock smiled. "The bells rang, the trumpets sounded, and fireworks lit up the sky. People from far and near sat at ornate tables, drank from golden goblets, and celebrated for at least nine months. But Jeran, with his queen, ruled the kingdom wisely and well, and grew never too wise to take counsel from Epona."

The square applauded as Brock took a bow. "That story never gets old!" Serena raved as she flicked a gold coin in the harp case.

"What if we went on an adventure like that, and met Epona ourselves--if she even exists." Ash mused with a dreamy sigh.

"If what I have found in my research on Glasa Forest is any indication, you may be going on that adventure sooner than you think." Sage Oak cautioned, making both Ash and Serena freeze in terror--what had the sage discovered?

[Chibi Altaria]

Only read the prologue so far, but until I read your comment I was going to say it sounds more Final Fantasy than anything Zelda related. :p

The story-telling element (in regards to friendship) reminds me of Varric from Dragon Age 2/DAI spinning tall tales about all his friends. XD Nice work so far, I'll have to read more later!

[EmeraldSky]

Thank you!

Remember the tales Brock tells--many of them will be important to the overall story, as well as showing the culture of the world of Mikawa.

[Kentucky Fried Torchic]

Wow, you have engaged in some wonderful world-building here, incorporating little pieces and elements of the culture and life of the world seamlessly as a backdrop to the main action of this chapter of Sir Brock's tale. The way that you introduced the different characters, giving them enough traits to be recognizable, but also showing how they exist differently in this unique new world that you have crafted, was very enjoyable. Plus you left us with a good cliff-hanger, leaving me hungry for more!

[EmeraldSky]

Thank you--as I said, I wanted to try to adapt the Pokeworld into a fantastic Zelda-like world with whispers of classic Final Fantasy. If you're confused about any aspect of the world, please tell me.

Next episode we'll actually introduce our grand adventure.

[EmeraldSky]

Episode 2: The Dark Wizard's Plot


Ash hurried as fast as he could through the streets of Vitiva, past the crowds of people and shops as he kept Serena in view. I wonder what it was Sage Oak found that has him so worried? he thought. Or what he meant when he said we would be searching for Epona sooner than we thought?

As he emerged from the marketplace and onto the stone pathway that led to the sage's library and a residential district, he balked when he saw Brock with Serena by the library entrance. "Brock? What are you doing here?"

"If my hunch about why the sage has called you here is correct, you may have need of my song on that adventure he told you about." Brock replied before the three friends made their way inside the large stone building with the book-like emblem of the scholar's guild over the entryway.

The rows of shelves containing books on almost every topic felt strangely comforting to Ash. Many times, when he and Serena were younger, Sage Oak would let them peruse the shelves for both pleasure and schoolwork. When the sage had hired an apprentice scholar named Tracey, he and Serena gave their all to make him feel at home. In return, he would show them his drawings of Pokemon, fairies, elves, and monsters. Some of them, such as anatomy diagrams, recipe illustrations, schematics of long lost relics, and maps; were for reference and study, but others he drew for artistic reasons, leading Serena to often joke that if he ever tired of studying, he could always become an artist.

As he arrived in the main study, he found Tracey in the process of sketching a detailed map of Glasa Forest, complete with fairy groves, elven cities, and the pedestal where the legendary Eight-color Blade was said to lie.

"Forgive me for interrupting your drawing, Sir Tracey but will you inform your master we wish to see him?" Ash asked as he approached the young black haired scholar.

Tracey added one last line to the detail of a tree, then looked up from his map. "Master said he was expecting you--I will inform him you are here immediately."

With that, he set aside his sketchbook, and hurried off down the hall to Sage Oak's quarters, while Ash, Serena, and Brock settled in around an empty table.

Sage Oak arrived some time later with some books and maps, with Tracey not far behind him. "All right...we all know the story of the forging of the Eight-color Blade, and what one must do if one is able to wield it?"

"Of course--I have told the tale many times." Brock replied.

"What I have found concerns an old foe Brock has crossed paths with before." Sage Oak explained. "Brock, if you could use your seeing song to show Ash and Serena what he looks like, please."

"All right...Seilei colfin ar kadram tro... Brock sang, conjuring an image of a young man in an ornate wizard's robe before Ash and Serena.

"Hair kinda looks like a Pyroar's mane..." Serena mused as she studied the image, particularly the man's fiery red hair that flared in all directions.

"Does Pyroar-man have a name?" Ash was equally weirded out by the man's appearance.

"His name is Lysandre." Sage Oak explained. "A fallen wizard obsessed with beauty and beautiful things, but his heart is anything but."

"A year ago, Lysandre summoned me to retrieve the legendary Celestial Harp of Rainbows in return for some mystical items." Brock explained. But as I was on my way to the cave where the harp was hidden, Meloetta appeared to me, and warned me that Lysandre wanted to use the harp to raise up an army of undead and ghost Pokemon, and destroy the world. Instead, she directed me to gather four other adventurers, assemble the eight jewel shards hidden in eight well guarded elemental labyrinths, and then use the powered up harp to defeat Lysandre before he could carry out his evil plot. Naturally I was shaken by this news, and immediately returned to Argenta to ask any and all adventurers to help me on an adventure of a lifetime. It was a long and dangerous quest, parts of which I have told for an audience, but in the end we defeated him."

"Were those elemental labyrinths the same ones the wielder of the Eight-color Blade must brave?" Ash asked.

"They are--in order, The Leaf, which is hidden within Glasa Forest, The Moon, hidden within Mt. Luna, The Drop, which is inside the Unknown Cavern outside of Serulin, The Storm, nearby the port of Arania, the Tower of the Wing in Lavan; which is also just called The Wing, The Crystal, inside Seafoam Cave, The Fire, hidden on Canela Island, and The Light, hidden on a secret path not far from the Aiiro City." Tracey replied.

"After lying low and nursing his wounds for a while, Lysandre has surfaced again." Sage Oak continued. "He has released the destruction bird Yveltal from her prison deep underground, unleashing an evil magic not seen in a thousand years--many Pokemon have gone wild, and monsters roam the land, bringing terror and despair in their wake."

"That explains why there's been an uptick in wild Pokemon attacks..." Serena mused.

"And probably why the elves and fey have been on edge as of late." Tracey agreed.

"Many have already made the journey to Glasa Forest to attempt to draw the sword, but one by one, they have failed, as the Eight Colored Blade can only be drawn by one whose heart is courageous, true, and unselfish." Sage Oak went on, smiling as Brock nodded in agreement.

"I would gladly journey to the forest and try to draw the blade--especially if this Lysandre fiend wants to abuse that too!" Ash announced, much to Serena's surprise. "And even if I am not worthy to draw the blade, I will find some way to defeat him, or die trying."

Serena let out a soft sigh--once Ash had his mind set on something, he wouldn't take no for an answer. "I will come with him, if only to be sure he comes home from the quest in one piece instead of in a funeral urn."

Sage Oak just chuckled at Ash's vow. "It will be a long journey, filled with perils and dangers--are you sure you both can handle that?"

"How can they know if they don't try?" Brock asked. "If going on this quest is what Ash wishes to do, woe be the one that tries to stop him."

"Besides, you have faced Lysandre before--your song and your experience would be helpful to us both." Serena replied as she got up from the table...

[EmeraldSky]

Episode 3: The Mage's Promise

Ash sighed as he sat on his bed that evening, reflecting on what Sage Oak, Brock, and Tracey had told him and Serena earlier in the day. Is this Lysandre fellow as dangerous as he is claimed to be? Has Yveltal really been unleashed?

"Is everything okay, Ash?" The voice of his mother snapped Ash back to reality. "You didn't want to eat much at dinner, and normally you're downing food by the plate faster than I can serve it!"

"Besides, it's not like you to refuse your mom's prize winning Oran cream pie." his father agreed as he joined Ash's mother in the room. "Whatever's bothering you, you can tell us--may Arceus judge us if we find ourselves judging you."

Ash swallowed the lump in his throat, then mustered the courage to tell his parents the horrifying news he had learned. "Serena and I finally learned the truth behind the uptick in wild Pokemon attacks--and why the attacks could be the first stages of something far more sinister."

He spared no details and minced no words about what Sage Oak, Brock, and Tracey had told him about Lysandre, how Brock had once crossed paths with him, his obsession with beauty, how he had released Yveltal, and how Yveltal's release was causing monsters to appear and Pokemon to go wild.

"...and so that's why I believe I have to go to Glasa Forest and try to draw the Eight-color Blade." Ash concluded some time later. "If Lysandre is as powerful as he is claimed to be, shouldn't we find something equally powerful to fight back against him?"

"You have to remember, Ash, that the Eight-color Blade is not meant for just anyone to wield." Ash's father explained. "There is a reason Arceus keeps it hidden from mortals..."

"The Eight-color Blade can only be drawn by one whose heart is courageous, true, and unselfish." Ash repeated along with his father.

Ash's mother smiled. "That being said, your father and I believe you could very well draw the Eight-color Blade and conquer the quest its wielders must take. But if battling this fallen wizard is what you truly wish to do, we won't try to stop you...all we ask is that you know thy enemy and know him well."

"I know." Ash replied.

"Furthermore, you do not have to undertake this grand adventure by yourself." Ash's father went on. "You have Serena, and you have Brock, but also do not forget to help others in need along the way."

"And if the worst happens, or you need a place to rest and regroup, you can always come home." Ash's mother assured him.

Ash heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you...both of you. I feared you would laugh my concerns away and say I was 'not old enough' for such a grand undertaking..."

"Oh, but you are more than ready!" Ash father smiled. "I have taught you in the way of the blade..."

"...and I have helped you learn the way of magic." Ash's mother agreed.

"No matter what happens on your quest, Ash...know your family has your back." Ash's father assured Ash as he ran to embrace him.

---------

"Well? What did they say?" Serena asked as she met Ash on the square. While the rest of the town was asleep for the night, the only sounds were the trickle of the fountain and the occasional hoot of a Noctowl passing by.

"They were understandably concerned, and told me to understand who I am up against before charging into the fray." Ash replied. "But you know that I would not dare take on a wizard, especially one that deals in evil magic, without first forming a strategy."

"Having Brock with us will be a big help, since he likely knows all of Lysandre's wiles." Serena added. "But my parents felt they same way as yours--they too were concerned, but also know that we can't just stand by and do nothing."

She smiled. "If it turns out you can in fact wield the Eight-color Blade, I would be honored to lend my bow to your cause."

[Wait!] a yellow mouse creature squeaked as it led a small fox creature with large ears into the square.

[You can't go on a big adventure without us!] the fox creature protested.

Serena just giggled. "I never said I'd leave you behind, Kitsune...you and Tintri are welcome to come along if you want." she assured the fox creature as she lightly stroked its pale yellow fur.

"Yeah...if my magic fails, I have your Thunderbolt!" Ash grinned as he petted the Pikachu perched on his shoulder.

A harp playing a quiet melody snapped Ash and Serena to attention. "So? How did it go?" Brock asked as he joined Ash and Serena by the fountain, harp in hand.

"Our parents are rightly concerned about our facing a fallen wizard." Ash explained. "But they also believe we are skilled enough to rise to the challenge, whether you are with us or not."

Brock slowly nodded. "For the moment, I will accompany you to the forest and see if Ash is worthy of the Eight-color Blade, at the very least."

"If Ash is worthy of wielding the blade, we will return to Vitiva to receive the quest from Sage Oak before meeting you in either Argenta or the forest." Serena offered.

"If it comes to pass that I am not worthy to wield the Eight-color Blade, we will come with you to Argenta and plan our next move together." Ash added.

"That is a fair proposal." Brock replied, still playing his relaxing melody all the while. "No matter what happens, I will still come with you on your journey and lend my song to your cause. If you can't wield the Eight-color Blade, we'll find someone who does."

"It's decided!" Ash announced, snapping Brock from his song. "We leave on our journey tomorrow morning!"

To Be Continued...