When we last left our heroes, they had taken shelter in Verdanturf Town, where they began speculation over who could hold the last two melodies. The problem is, out of hundreds of people Ash is connected to, which two hold the melodies.

Brock brings up an intriguing theory, which leads Ash to guess that the melody of light is held by Dawn, his Shinou companion, but Misty is not so easily convinced…

Episode 15: Darkness Before Dawn

“What does that have to do with the last two melodies?” Even Brenna was confused.

“I’m getting to that.” Brock assured everyone before continuing. “Since the dawn of time, darkness and light have been depicted as opposing elements, with each one weak to the other.”

“Meaning…” May asked, interested.

“The two holders of these melodies will be like this in some way–they will have personalities completely opposite each other.” Brock explained. “The one that holds darkness will be the mysterious type that lives for taking risks, and the one that holds light will be the friendly outgoing type that wants nothing more than the greater good.”

“I have a suggestion for who could be holding light–Dawn.” May began. “She fits your description of the light holder personality…”

“Okay, so who holds darkness if Dawn possibly holds light?” Ash asked. Dawn being the light holder made sense in his eyes, as even her name evoked the light of a raising sun.

“Furthermore, suppose Dawn doesn’t hold light?” Misty challenged. “Then who could it be?” The room fell silent as Ash struggled to answer Misty’s question.

“I’m more interested in who could hold darkness.” Brenna interjected. “Could it be possible that whoever holds darkness is connected to whoever holds light, who in turn is connected to the melody of fire?”

“Huh?” Misty was interested. She sighed and turned to Ash. “Just to humor you, I’m going to assume Dawn holds light, like you suggest–but I still have my doubts on that.” Ash heaved a sigh of relief–he really wasn’t sure who else other than Dawn could’ve held light. Melody was one possibility, but the melody that awakened Lugia and the melodies he was looking for were not the same thing.

“So basically, what you’re saying then, is the holder of darkness is connected to Dawn, who possibly holds light, and she in turn is connected to Ash?” Brock asked. All the speculation was beginning to make his head spin.

“I vote we stop debating and go find out if Dawn holds light ourselves!” Ash announced.

“Although…where would she be at this time?” Brenna asked.

“Knowing Dawn, either at home or in a Super Contest Hall.” Ash replied. “Let’s go!” With that, he lead everyone outside.

In the Rocket base…

“So they’re off to Shinou, are they?” Jessie asked as she watched a dotted line tracking the route of a certain Swellow.

“Took long enough for them to stop debating.” James sighed.

“Dey appear to be goin’ to someplace with a Contest Hall, most likely Hearthome.” Meowth noted. “Seein’ as dere’s a Contest goin’ on dere in a few days, now’s our chance to see if da last two melody whoevers are dere–and den we follow’em on dere quest to the mountain!” He gestured to the exit pipe leading to Hearthome, where a box containing a rogue disappeared out of sight.

In Hearthome City…

“There she is…” Ash smiled, pointing out a black haired girl with a white floppy hat playing with a Piplup on the square overlooking the Contest Hall. A girl with deep red hair watched nearby, every so often tending to a Poochyena sunning itself in the grass.

The black haired girl looked up to see the Swellow land and waved. “Ash! Hi!”

“Hi, Dawn!” Ash leapt off of Swellow and embraced his friend. “Heard about the contest and decided to come cheer you on.” While that wasn’t quite the whole reason he had come, Dawn seemed to buy the ruse.

The deep red haired girl looked quizzically at Dawn. “Hat-boy a friend of yours?”

“Leila, this is Ash–the budding Pokemon Master I’ve been telling you about.” Dawn explained.

“Nice to meet you–I heard about your Nick Dragonswift routine in the Wallace Cup.” Leila began. “Bummer that I had to miss that.”

“Pleased to meet you, Leila.” Ash smiled as he shook the deep red haired girl’s hand. “I had a lot of fun with that costume.”

“Leila’s become one of my closest friends on the contest circuit.” Dawn explained. “But I’m really worried about all the attacks that have been happening around the four regions.”

“I’m not about to say the old story of the amulet is coming true…I need a little proof rather than some hearsay.” Leila began.

“Would you believe me if I showed you my ring?” Ash started, showing Leila the ring that had set the adventure in motion.

Leila examined the ring for a moment. “It’s a start…I’d rather see the warriors of the story for myself.”

“Then close your eyes.” Ash asked. Leila reluctantly complied as Ash laid his hands on her back and softly sang “Take a melody…”

To Be Continued….

o^-^o: Does Leila hold a melody? How will she react when told that the story of the Amulet is true? Don’t miss Episode 16 on this Web site next week!