What we last left our heroes, they had arrived at the Tin Tower to meet with Ho’oh about the next piece of the Pokemon Soul Amulet. But when Ho’oh arrives, the gang learns that the Rockets have also been in the area. After learning that the piece that is bonded to the power of fire is inside the ruins of the Burned Tower, our heroes set out to meet with the three Beasts that guard the ruin…

Episode 23: Melodies Unleashed

You understand that there may be more of those sensors in places you need to visit on your journey. Ho’oh cautioned. As for your next objective, the piece in the Burned Tower’s ruins belongs to you, young Master.

“So it is bonded to my power…fire?” Ash was interested. “What is it?”

It is a heart shaped ruby that sits in the Amulet’s center, and shows what lies in the wearer’s heart. Ho’oh explained. When you claim the Heart of Fire, you will unlock more of your melody’s power and discern whether one speaks the truth.

“What about the Beasts?” Brock was curious.

Raikou, Entei, and Suicune each have their own challenges for you to prove yourselves worthy. Ho’oh explained. Go now…it is time for you to claim another piece of the Amulet.

“Thank you, Ho’oh.” Ash replied before turning to leave.

As the group arrived on the ground again and hurried towards the Burned Tower, they were unaware of another sensor that lay behind a rock, silently recording the group’s progress.

In the Burned Tower…

“Funny, I don’t see anything in here that even remotely looks like a dungeon…” Leila complained as the group trudged through the ruins. While many of the building’s burns had gone away over time, a number of plants had begun growing in much of the charred columns and walls, giving the tower a forest-like appearance

“You think we’d find Celebi in here…” Misty complained as she pulled her foot free from a vine. She was about to say more when she heard a roar in the distance. “What was that?”

Dawn was about to answer when she noticed three blurs racing in thr group’s direction. “Look out!” Hayley tried to run away, but was soon pinned down by the blue blur. Ash ran to help, but was soon pinned to the floor by the red blur. The yellow blur was following Leila around a pole, intent on pinning her to the floor as well.

He felt a warm, wet feeling on his right cheek seconds later. “Welcome back, Young Master.”

“Pika…” Pikachu recognized the voice of Entei. “Pika pika pikachu, pika chu.”

“You come with urgent business?” Entei was piqued.

“Let me get up and we’ll tell you all about it…” Ash smiled. Entei obediently climbed off of Ash’s chest and allowed him to stand up.

“What was the pouncin’ for?” Hayley asked Suicune as he allowed her to stand up.

“We did not mean to scare you–we thought you were intruders until Entei recognized Ash.” Suicune explained. The blue cheetah-like Pokemon gently helped Hayley to her feet, allowing her to rejoin the group in a hallway leading to three diferent doors decorated in what the group thought was Unown script. May strained to get a closer look–the “Unowns” were actually a kind of ancient runes.

Brenna gasped when she saw the magnificent cat-like Pokemon before her. “So the three Legendary Beasts are real…”

“It is our job to protect this ruin and the spirits inside it, holder of ice.” Raikou explained. “We cannot give the Heart to just anyone…

“If Ho’oh has indeed sent you to claim the Heart of Fire, you will have little trouble passing the trials inside.” Entei agreed. “Now, which of you holds the melody that burns with flame?”

Ash stepped out before Entei. “I am.” he replied, flashing his ring before the ruddy lion Pokemon.

Entei slowly nodded with approval. “Very well, Young Master…tell us everything.”

Some hours later…

…and then we came to the Tin Tower to see Ho’oh.” Ash concluded his account of what had happened on their journey so far. “And here we are.”

“I see…” Raikou commented. Pikachu looked interested in the yellow tiger-like Pokemon next to Entei, but Ash motioned for him to stay on his shoulder.

“You have endured quite a lot on your journey so far, and will endure many more trials on your way to Mt. Coronet.” Entei began. To claim the Heart of Fire, you must endure the trials we have prepared for you behind the three doors behind us.”

“I will test your skill as a team.” Raikou explained. “You have done well alone, but I wish to see how well the eight of you work together.”

“I will test your intelligence.” Suicune continued. “Physical strength is all well and good, but it is knowing what you face and how to approach it that determines victory or defeat.”

“And I will test your strength” Entei concluded. “You have gained immense powers for your quest, and I want to see how far you have come in mastering them.”

Beasts have given you choice–which trial want to try first? Kaichou asked.

“Melodic Warriors–huddle!” Ash whispered, motioning for the others to circle around him. “Which trial do you guys think we can beat the easiest?”

“Teamwork’s likely the easiest–we’ve done well working together before…” Leila explained.

“Besides, we wouldn’t have gotten this far if we didn’t work together.” Brenna agreed. “So I vote for Raikou’s trial.”

“I’m interested in how much stronger we’ve gotten since we stopped beating rogues.” Misty interjected. Brock nodded in agreement.

“I kinda want to see how well we know our opponent.” Hayley started.

“As do I.” Dawn agreed.

Ash cringed–he hadn’t counted on his vote being the deciding vote. No matter which trial they completed first, they were still going to have to complete the other two to prove themselves worthy to the Beasts.

“Have you made your choice?” Entei’s question snapped him back to reality. Deep down, he shared Misty’s curiosity as to how much stronger they had gotten since he had received his ring several weeks before.

He sighed and replied to Entei “We choose your trial of strength.”

“Then enter, bearers of the eight melodies, and begin your ordeal.” With that, the runed door behind Entei rumbled open, granting the group passage.

Ash motioned for the others to follow him inside as the runed door rumbled shut, leaving the group in pitch darkness.

“Who turned out the lights?” Brenna complained as she groped to find her way in the blackness.

“That was my foot you stepped on!” Leila complained to Dawn. Dawn sheepishly smiled and stepped away untill she felt a wall behind her.

“Hey, Dawn…would you mind using your Melodic attack to give us a little light on the subject?” Brock asked as he felt around for something resembling a light source.

A low growl startled Dawn at first, but she mustered enough courage to sing “Love, oh love… Melodic Shine!” The resulting light ball illuminated the room just enough for Ash and the others to see what had been growling–a pack of Mightyenas!

To Be Continued…

o^-^o: Will our heroes survive the ordeal? Don’t miss Episode 24 on this Web site next week!