When we last left our heroes…

As the crowd disperses and Ash and Dawn pick up what coins are scattered on the pavement, the tall woman approaches Brock. “Well told, Song Mage…I would expect nothing more from the great Arran Seluna.”

“You speak the truth, Jelan Mirana…” the woman replies before addressing Brock again. “As thanks for a wonderful performance, I bid you spend some time at my house, for I know much of the quest Karmina has given you…”

Episode 4: The Legend of the Crystal Auras

The group walks down a street leading to an alcove of houses nearby the marketplace, being careful not to lose Raina in the crowds of people. Raina, powever, points out the house closest to the street overlooking the temple. “Here…this is my home.” With that, she invites the group inside.

“Thank you for having us.” Dawn replies as the group enters and makes themselves comfortable around a wooden table.

“How is it that you know of our quest?” Brock asks, interested, never mind that the question seems out of character for the role he is playing.

“Karmina herself told me about it.” Raina smiles as she returns with what looks like bowls of herbs, amused that someone as well known as Arran Seluna would be surprised at her abilities. “I presume you also know about the Pendant of Crystal Auras?”

A wry smile crosses Brock’s face–this meeting is playing out very much like the real show! “Every minstrel in Thianon knows about that, Song Mage or not!” He takes his harp from his bag and starts a soft melody Red is the stone that brings the fire, orange is the stone riding on the wind, yellow is the stone that raises the dark’s ire, green is the stone commanding winter to rescind…

“Uh, Brock…” Ash waves to get his friend’s attention.

“Too late…” Dawn groans.

One blue stone is cold and frosty, the other as blue as a rolling sea… Brock continues, still lost in his performance.

Raina stifles a giggle. “Yes, I see you know of the Eight Dainas, but what about the pendant they form? Have you a verse telling me about that?”

When these eight stones come together, a mighty treasure do they form. Within this pendant is the great power, power of the color-born. Brock sings.

“The color-born?” Ash is stumped by the lyric’s meaning.

“Arran is referring to the elements that make up our world by the color-born.” Raina explains. “When the world was created, Karmina and her sons and daughters were quite impressed when Faivan, god of magic, demonstrated his craft to Marli, queen of the gods. At that time, magic had no physical form, so Marli convinced her husband Vaner, the king of the gods, to give Faivan’s craft a form in the world of mortals and in the world of gods. So Vaner created the elemental spirits, and they spread throughout both worlds, giving us the elements. Each type of spirit prefers a certain color, so sometimes the elements are called the color-born.” Ash nods to show he understands the myth.

“So if magic is really the energy of elemental spirits, how does Song Magic work?” Dawn asks–she’s wondered if the process is ever explained in the real show.

“That is the second part of the myth, Loras Kimbore.” Raina replies. “Karmina could sense mortals’ emotions, and often sent spirits to aid those that sang of their emotions. In time, mortals learned that they could channel their emotions through song, summoning spirits that way–that is how Song Magic was created.” She turns to address the boys. “Arran has studied it and knows it well. Jelan will eventually learn it not long after you begin your quest…”

“But what about Loras?” Ash wonders. “Won’t she be able to learn Song Magic?”

“Has she displayed any talent for it?” Raina asks.

An awkward silence fills the room before Brock finally decides to answer the sage’s question. “No–she has not shown any talent for it that we know of.”

“She is perfectly capable of learning to use it, but she has to want to learn.” Raina replies. “This will becomes your song, and the song then manifests as magic.”

“Do I want to learn Song Magic?” Dawn scoffs at how Raina is treating her like her own mother back in the real world. “You bet I do!”

“Then close your eyes and calm yourself–magic won’t awaken in someone who is angered or only wants to use it for their own gain.” Raina cautions as Dawn closes her eyes. The strength of your song is also tied to the strength of your body–if you are tired, your magic will be very weak at best.”

Dawn nods as she focuses on a calm location in her mind–the yard back in the real world. Gotta catch’em, I can see it, Victory Road! Of all the water in the world, which one has blue Shellos? She begins to glow in a rainbow aura as she continues singing. Is the Hoothoot’s leg the left one or the right?

“Is she singing ‘Which One’? from ‘Sesamon Street’?” Ash recognizes the song.

“No, you’re thinking of ‘One of These Things’…’Which One’ is a completely different song from ‘Inspiration Station’” Brock gently corrects him, at the same time worried about the size of Dawn’s aura and the part that is coming next.

Ah… Dawn continues the song, her rainbow aura getting brighter and stronger all the while. Ah…..ah…ah, ah, AH!!!! On the last “ah”, the aura goes flying at Raina, the Pokemon and the boys in a wave of rainbow light.

“What was that?” Ash asks as he studies the rainbow colored “water” dripping from him.

“I don’t know…” Dawn wheezes, exhausted from casting the spell. “I just pictured us being at home, and me in the yard, listening to Brock finding another show for Happini as the ending to ‘Inspiration Station’ played…and the part with the ahs was the first part of the song I remembered.”

“A most interesting choice of song for your first spell, Rainbow Shower.” Raina giggles. “But, I think you may have chosen too strong of a spell for your skill…”

“No wonder I feel so tired…” Dawn complains. “It’s like I ran a mile in gym class multiple times!”

Raina then hears what sounds like the whinnying of a horse. “Oh no…not here…”

Ash looks out the window and gasps–he sees what looks like a snake with a horse’s head and mane headed in their direction! “What is that?” he gasps.

Brock draws his blade and walks outside, only pausing to take his harp case from the closet at the entrance. “I don’t know, but it doesn’t look friendly!”

TO BE CONTINUED….