Finding both items, however, proves to be anything but simple...

Episode 34: The Ins and Outs of Adventure

“Let me get this straight–in actuality, we’re going after nine amulet pieces?” Ash was confused.

“While I’m sure you may be surprised to know the Amulet may have more pieces than you thought, this companion item is just as important as the Pokemon Soul Amulet itself.” Celebi continued. “When the earth holder receives it, he will have the power to sing you into a more powerful form.”

“A powerup?” Ash was excited.

“Yes–the evil ones that pursue you will likely step up their attacks as you search for the last four Amulet pieces, and as such, you will need more powerful attacks and items to protect yourself.” He formed an image of a pendant of a leaf, but Ash could see that the details on the leaf were musical staves. “This is the Pendant of the Siren’s Leaf–what the holder of earth will need to grant you your new powers.”

Ash swallowed hard as the small shrine seemingly grew into a full sized building, allowing him and his friends inside.

Dawn balked at the seemingly endless number of entrances and exits that appeared to be on every wall. “Wow…”

“So many different ways, and only one’s the right way, I bet.” Leila agreed.

“So where do we go from here?” Ash gasped as he saw the many paths that wound before him in all directions.

“Contrary to its humble appearance, my abode is larger than it appears.” Celebi explained.

“We gathered as much.” Misty sighed–she was not looking foward to going through yet another maze. Ash had another concern: Of all the different entrances placed around the room, which one was the correct way to get to the Forest Circlet?

“And where will we find my item?” Brock asked.

“While the Forest Circlet is in the deepest room here, the Pendant is located somewhere in here.” Celebi replied.

Ash groaned as the group trudged into an entryway on the left side of the room. Just where, exactly, is “somewhere”?

They entered into a room covered in vines. “Don’t tell me we’ve walked into Zelda’s Forest Temple…” Misty groaned as Brock cut through a vine with a pocketknife.

Oh no, there’s no monsters in here, so instead, I want to see your problem solving skills as a group. Celebi’s voice replied in the group’s minds.

Like that will be helpful… Ash sighed as he parted some vines hoping to find a door, but finding only a wall.

If you’re really stuck, ask the one that holds earth to sing for me, and I’ll give you a hint. Celebi replied. But use these songs wisely, I’m only giving you five. At this, five small orbs made of emerald appeared in Brock’s belt, where Poke Balls would go.

“Could we use one of those hints now? I’m not finding anything.” May complained as she parted some vines on the floor, hoping a door would be there.

“No doors here, either…” Leila sighed as she looked behind some vines on the right wall.

“We only get five hints, so I’m saving them for absoulute emergencies.” Brock assured the group as he cut through more vines.

“Define ‘absolute emergency’…” Misty grumbled as she examined the ceiling, hoping that a door was on the ceiling, if not anywhere else.

“‘Absolute emergency’ in this case is defined as out of options, no other helpful items, and no one has any idea how to proceed, and all our other ideas didn’t work.” Brock countered–Misty’s constant complaining was starting to grate on his nerves.

“Just give us a chance to explore ALL our options before you declare us hopelessly stuck.” Brenna agreed.

Suddenly, Dawn noticed one vine on the left wall that had a flower on it. Piqued, she pulled the blooming vine aside, revealing a wooden door. “Guys, look!”

“All right!” Ash motioned for everyone to follow him into the next room, but no sooner had he stepped inside, did some vines lash out at him and bind him up!

“So the eight of you are the melody whoevers…” Jessie smirked as she met the group in the room. Brenna and Misty frantically tried to pull the vines binding Ash off of him, and Brock fruitlessly tried to cut the vines, but despite their efforts, the vines refused to be torn or cut.

“Just give us the Amulet pieces and we’ll let your fearless leader go…” James agreed. “Do we have a deal?”

“We’ve worked hard to get this far, and we’re not giving Kaichou, nor the amulet pieces to you, ever!” Leila barked. “Do I make myself clear?”

Ash, meanwhile, had managed to work his hands free, and began to charge a Ruby Spark, but Jessie confidently brushed aside the magical attack Ash was about to unleash. “You realize that if you set the vines you’re bound in on fire, you’ll burn yourself with them?” Ash groaned and hung his head as he stayed his attack.

“Does THIS count as an absolute emergency?” Hayley shuddered as Brock struggled to cut Ash free…

To Be Continued…

o^-^o: Oh no, Ash has been captured! Can our heroes get him freed? Don’t miss Episode 35 on this Web site next week!

o^-^o: Don’t close that browser! Here’s what’s coming up this week on “Pokemon: Melodic Warriors”…

BEGIN PREVIEW

“So where do we go from here?” Ash gasped as he saw the many paths that wound before him in all directions.

“Contrary to its humble appearance, my abode is larger than it appears.” Celebi explained.

“We gathered as much.” Misty sighed–she was not looking foward to going through yet another maze. Ash had another concern: Of all the different entrances placed around the room, which one was the correct way to get to the Forest Circlet?

“And where will we find my item?” Brock asked.

“While the Forest Circlet is in the deepest room here, the Pendant is located somewhere in here.” Celebi replied.

Ash groaned as the group trudged into an entryway on the left side of the room. Just where, exactly, is “somewhere”?

END PREVIEW

o^-^o: Insterested in learning what happens? Stop by tomorrow and see!

When we last left our heroes, they had arrived in Johto’s Ilex Forest, where Celebi dwells. Ash remembers that only the holder of earth knows the song to lure Celebi from the intimidating trees and thick brush, but since that song has only been heard in legend, no one really knows what this song is. Inspired, Brock tries making up a jazzy improvisation, and that is enough to lure Celebi out from the forest.

Now, Celebi has his own challenge for our heroes…

Episode 33: The Growth of Power

Celebi just laughed. “It was quite a pleasure to sing with a holder of earth again after many years!”

“Gee…all I did was make something up.” Brock admitted.

“Quite all right–the song past holders of earth always sang has been lost, so I doubt you would’ve known it…” Celebi assured Brock before turning business-like. “The trees have told me the Soul Amulet is being assembled, so I know of your quest. As for what my piece is, it is an engraving of leaves set over the Heart of Fire, and named the Forest Circlet.”

“Have you seen any odd blinking sensors anywhere in the forest?” May interrupted.

“Now why would you want to know that?” Celebi was confused.

“Others–evil ones–have been following us on our adventure, and we have learned that they are close by if we see a blinking sensor.” Ash explained.

“Hm…I have not seen any such sensors, but just in case, come with me to my abode–if any of those are close by, we can rid the forest of them.” Celebi suggested, motioning for the group to follow him into the darkened forest.

After winding through the large tree roots and almost swampy forest floor, the group arrived at a small shrine-like building in a clearing that, unlike the rest of the forest around it, was surrounded by grass and wildflowers. Celebi just flitted on top of the small building’s roof. “Now…tell me about these evil ones that are following you…”

“Before we do…” Ash hurried over to a patch of grass, where a familiar beep echoed through the forest. “This is one of the sensors I was telling you about…”

Celebi grimaced. “Step back, please…” he cautioned as he hovered over to the small button like sensor. “You too, Young Master.” Ash obediently abandoned the sensor and hurried to rejoin his friends.

“What’s he going to do?” May asked.

Ash watched as Celebi charged a familiar ball of yellow light–he knew this light as a Solarbeam, and if anyone was caught in it, they would be gravely wounded at best! “Hit the dirt!” he yelped before diving down into the grass to shield himself from the impending explosion. The others did likewise and shielded their eyes and ears, only feeling the ground below them shake for a few moments as the Solarbeam impacted the sensor, then a loud pop and some electrical spark noises as the sensor exploded.

“Talk about going out with a bang…” Misty sighed as she looked up from the grass to see the aftermath of Celebi’s attack–the only evidence anything had happened was a charred explosion crater in the grass and pieces of what used to be a tracking sensor scattered everywhere, with the largest piece still containing sparking wires.

“There…now no one will know anything about what we speak of here.” Celebi assured the group as he warped away the sensor’s pieces and healed what plant life had been charred in the attack.

“We’re clear to get up now.” Brenna whispered to the others, who gingerly got up from the grass, still a little shaken from the explosion.

Celebi returned to the small bamboo shrine and settled on the roof again. “You were saying, Young Master?”

“Well, ever since our adventure began, I have seen the Rockets follow us–be it through those sensors or getting a glimpse of them following our trail.” Ash explained. “We’ve known ever since the beginning they would likely try and follow us, but after discovering them right on our heels in Seafoam Cave, I’ve been worried they might try to corner us, or worse, beat us to the mountain and take the Amulet.”

“You don’t have to worry.” Celebi replied. “If the evil ones were to take the Amulet from you, they would not even be able to make a wish, even if they knew the melody that goes with the Amulet. The Mew on Mt. Coronet is smarter than legends would make her out to be.”

“So hypothetically, if they took the Amulet from us and tried to make a wish, all we would have to do is sing the Song of Power to prove to the Mew that we are the true Amulet bearers?” Brenna asked.

“Exactly.” Celebi replied. “Furthermore, your combined powers would be enough to punish these evil ones for even trying to take it from you.”

“Let’s hope we don’t have to do that…” Dawn shuddered at the thought of the Rockets trying to make a wish.

“In addition to the Forest Circlet, my abode also has another item for you…” Celebi replied.

“Two Amulet pieces in the forest shrine?” Leila was shocked.

“This other item is not part of the Amulet itself, but instead, it is a companion item to it, meant to be worn by the holder of the earth melody.” Celebi explained, making everyone else balk.

“Let me get this straight–in actuality, we’re going after nine amulet pieces?” Ash was confused.

“While I’m sure you may be surprised to know the Amulet may have more pieces than you thought, this companion item is just as important as the Pokemon Soul Amulet itself.” Celebi continued. “When the earth holder receives it, he will have the power to sing you into a more powerful form.”

“A powerup?” Ash was excited.

“Yes–the evil ones that pursue you will likely step up their attacks as you search for the last four Amulet pieces, and as such, you will need more powerful attacks and items to protect yourself.” He formed an image of a pendant of a leaf, but Ash could see that the details on the leaf were musical staves. “This is the Pendant of the Siren’s Leaf–what the holder of earth will need to grant you your new powers.”

Ash swallowed hard as the small shrine seemingly grew into a full sized building, allowing him and his friends inside….

To Be Continued…

o^-^o: What’s inside the Forest Shrine? Don’t miss Episode 34 on this Web site next week!

o^-^o: Don’t close that browser! Here’s what’s coming up this week on “Pokemon: Melodic Warriors”!

BEGIN PREVIEW

“This item is not part of the Amulet itself, but instead, it is a companion item to it, meant to be worn by the holder of the earth melody.” Celebi explained, making everyone balk.

“Let me get this straight–in actuality, we’re only going after seven amulet pieces?” Ash was confused.

“While I’m sure you may be surprised to know the Amulet does not have as many pieces as you thought, this companion item is just as important as the Pokemon Soul Amulet itself.” Celebi continued. “When the earth holder receives it, he will have the power to sing you into a more powerful form”….

END PREVIEW

o^-^o: Curious to learn what happens? Stop by tomorrow and see!

When we last left our heroes, they discovered that one of the potions they had found would protect them from monster hordes that are too large for even eight people to fight. This is enough to get them through the rest of the cave, allowing them to claim another Amulet piece. Now, they make their way back to Johto and Ilex Forest in search of the Voice of the Forest…

Episode 32: I Am The Voice

“That was faster than I thought…” Wes gasped as Brenna showed him the Mirror.

“The Mirror makes three pieces.” Brenna smiled as Kaichou set it and the Heart of Fire back inside the storage box. “So where to from here, Wes?”

“I’m just glad to be out of that cave!” Misty complained as Swellow soared among the clouds.

Wes was unfazed. “At any rate, our next stop requires a return trip to Johto, where we will meet Celebi, the one who holds the earth holder’s piece–one that will amplify his voice and give it even more power to damage and heal.” He let that hang as Swellow passed over a vast ocean and a path leading into Goldenrod City, where a familiar red sensor blinked nearby a rock.

May noticed the blinking sensor as Swellow deftly weaved through Goldenrod City’s many skyscapers. “Another one…it seems everywhere we’ve been, one is close by….”

“Maybe the Rockets wanted to follow us all along?” Even Misty was concerned.

“Here’s a nightmare scenario for you: They ARE following us, and just as we arrive on Mt. Coronet, they take the Amulet from us.” Dawn shudders.

‘That likely won’t happen…” Brenna confidently assured the other girls. “In some versions of the story, a character tries to do just that, but is refused a wish because he was not the original bearer. The Mew on Mt. Coronet isn’t stupid.”

Burena right–you no need worry. Kaichou agreed.

Ash smiled as the group landed by an outpost leading into Ilex Forest. “Is it any wonder I call you one of my friends, Brenna?”

“My pleasure.” Brenna replied.

The first leg of the forest went without incident, barring Dawn getting a little antsy about the trees obscuring the sun. “Goodness, it’s dark in here…way darker than Eterna Forest!”

“Wonder why Ilex’s trees grow so tall?” Leila agreed as she stepped over a stray branch.

“They are well adapted to cool climates like this.” Brenna explained. “That, and the soil here is moist and nutrient rich compared to the soil in Eterna–Eterna’s more of a warm weather forest, so the trees there do not need as much water to survive.”

“Interestin’…” Hayley smiled.

“I’ve always wondered why Celebi was called the Voice of the Forest…” Dawn commented as the group tromped through the brush.

“Maybe because he speaks for the trees?” Leila suggested.

“Oh come on, now you sound like that one children’s book…what’s it called…” Brenna struggled to remember the title of the book, but could not.

“Ash has seen him before, so why not ask him?” Misty suggested.

“Leila is right–he does speak for the trees.” Ash explained. “But he got the nickname of Voice of the Forest for another reason. If you listen really hard when you travel through Ilex Forest at night, you can hear him singing–and Mom always told me that the holder of the melody of earth would know what he sang, and could lure him out…” At this, Brock felt a warm sensation on his face as his mic appeared.

“Does this song have any words?” Misty asked.

‘No one knows, because no one’s found Celebi singing, and I didn’t have time to ask when I encountered him.” Ash replied with a wink in Misty’s direction.

“Since no one really knows the words, and I hold the melody of earth…I’m just going to make some words up and see if Celebi answers.” Brock explained before humming a D note into his mic to see if he was in tune. He heard his note echo for a moment among the massive tree trunks, but no answer came. “Nobody home…”

“Try again!” May begged. “Maybe he needs to hear a few words before he decides to reply.”

“Mind if I sing your melody?” Brock asked Brenna. Brenna nodded and watched as Brock sing Give it some words, and… into the air.

Sweet harmony… came a higher pitched reply, startling everyone for a moment.

“Was that Celebi?” Dawn was excited now.

“Only one way to find out!” Brock smiles before scatting Along along oh-ho… in hopes the higher voice would reply. After a few tense seconds, nothing came.

“Can you mic play karaoke tracks, or something?” Ash asked. “Or is it just a mic?”

Brock fumbled around in his left pocket for a moment to produce the control box for his mic. “It is connected to a box similar to what real performers use–some of them have the ability to play backing tracks, and some don’t–” He suddenly noticed some settings setting marked “TRACK” and “KEY” next to the volume control. “and I think this one, though magic and only appears on a whim, has the ability to play a backing track.”

Mic have many back tracks for choice. Kaichou smiled. Burakku then have band to sing with!

“Is that so?” Brock replied before cycling through his backing track selections. “Let’s go with a jazz style bass in E minor.” he suggested as he confirmed his two selections, making his newly created backing track play seconds later. Ash smiled and snapped along with the bass, as if giving his friend a beat. The others joined in snapping as a piano was added into the track. With that, Brock began singing the scale: Do…do-re-mi-re-do, do; do-re-mi-fa-fa-so, do-re-mi-re-do-do, so-do-so-mi-do-mi-mi-re, do-re-mi-re-do, do, do-re-mi-fa-fa-so, do-re-mi-re-do, do, so-do-ti-la-so-fa, so-fa-mi-re-do…so-fa-mi-re-do… He then decided to scat a litle: Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pu-du-pa, pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pu-du-pa, pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pu-da, pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pa-pa-pu-pu-da…

Everyone gasped as a small green creature seemingly faded into view among leaves, singing back what Brock had performed in a higher octave: Do…do-re-mi-re-do, do; do-re-mi-fa-fa-so, do-re-mi-re-do-do, so-do-so-mi-do-mi-mi-re, do-re-mi-re-do, do, do-re-mi-fa-fa-so, do-re-mi-re-do, do, so-do-ti-la-so-fa, so-fa-mi-re-do…so-fa-mi-re-do…

“Celebi!” Dawn exclaimed as the small creature and Brock traded scatting solos.

“I didn’t know Celebi liked jazz…” Ash sighed as the backing track’s key changed.

Do…do-re-mi-re-do, do; do-re-mi-fa-fa-so, do-re-mi-re-do-do, so-do-so-mi-do-mi-mi-re, do-re-mi-re-do, do, do-re-mi-fa-fa-so, do-re-mi-re-do, do, so-do-ti-la-so-fa, so-fa-mi-re-do…so-fa-mi-re-do… Brock and Celebi repeated the scale improv again, Celebi doubling Brock an octave above before switching to his own scat melody to act as a descant over Brock. The two of them finally finished with one last Pa-pa… as the music ended.

“Yeah…” Brock smiled as he took a bow.

Celebi just laughed. “It was quite a pleasure to sing with a holder of earth again after many years!”

“Gee…all I did was make something up.” Brock admitted.

“Quite all right–the song past holders of earth always sang has been lost, so I doubt you would’ve known it…” Celebi assured Brock before turning business-like. “The trees have told me the Soul Amulet is being assembled, so I know of your quest. As for what my piece is, it is an engraving of leaves set over the Heart of Fire, and named the Forest Circlet.”

“Have you seen any odd blinking sensors anywhere in the forest?” May interrupted.

“Now why would you want to know that?” Celebi was confused.

“Others–evil ones–have been following us on our adventure, and we have learned that they are close by if we see a blinking sensor.” Ash explained.

“Hm…I have not seen any such sensors, but just in case, come with me to my abode–if any of those are close by, we can rid the forest of them.” Celebi suggested, motioning for the group to follow him into the darkened forest…

To Be Continued…

o^-^o: What does Celebi want of our heroes–don’t miss Episode 33 on this Web site next week!

o^-^o: Don’t close that browser! Here’s what’s coming up this week on “Pokemon: Melodic Warriors”…

BEGIN PREVIEW

“I’ve always wondered why Celebi was called the Voice of the Forest…” Dawn commented as the group tromped through the brush.

“Maybe because he speaks for the trees?” Leila suggested.

“Oh come on, now you sound like that one children’s book…what’s it called…” Brenna struggled to remember the title of the book, but could not.”

“Ash has seen him before, so why not ask him?” Misty suggested.

“Leila is right–he does speak for the trees.” Ash explained. But he got the nickname of Voice of the Forest for another reason. If you listen really hard when you travel through Ilex Forest at night, you can hear him singing–and Mom always told me that the holder of the melody of earth would know what he sang, and could lure him out…” At this, Brock felt a warm sensation on his face as his mic appeared….

END PREVIEW

o^-^o: Interested in seeing what happens? Drop by tomorrow and see!

When we last left our heroes, they were exploring the enchanted Seafoam Cave, where a blockade of rocks seemed like child’s play compared to the Rockets following them into the cave, unaware of its enchantments. But they seem to be in danger of “yet another stupid warp when they are met by a flock of Zubats….

Episode 31: Give It Some Words, And a Mirror

“I can think of harder puzzles we’ve solved…” Misty agreed. “Remember the memory puzzle in Suicune’s tower?”

“Let’s not go there…” Brock shuddered as he documented a red flask lying where a rock had been.

Ash crept up to the red flask and aimed the Heart at it. This is a potion of invincibility. Brock updated his item list before following his friends down to the next level of the cave.

Some screeches met them, and Ash gasped as a whole flock of Zubats came flying at them–there were too many for the eight of them to actually fight!

“Gimmie that potion!” Misty snatched the red flask away from Brock and uncorked it. “This ought to make us strong enough to merely deflect the flock of Zubats!”

“You realize that if you drink it, the potion will only affect you?” Ash interjected, a note of fear in his voice from the fluttering Zubats that were approaching.

“So?” Misty shot back. “It’s like Brock always says–desperate times call for desperate measures!”

“Actually, I’m not sure if this time is even that desperate…” Brenna noted as she led the group into a small alcove away from the flock of Zubats.

Misty was still unfazed. “What are we doing hiding from a bunch of Zubats?”

“If one person drinks the potion, its magic only affects that person…” Leila reminded Misty. “But if we all drank a little bit…”

“But how do we know it’s not poisoned or something?” Dawn asked, shuddering at the thought of drinking an unfamiliar substance.

“Mister Roguelike Fan, if you would, please…” Leila smiled and winked in Brock’s direction.

“If the Heart of Fire didn’t say it was poisoned, then it’s probably safe to drink.” Brock assured everyone as he dug out eight small punch glasses from his bag and began pouring the red liquid inside the flask. “I’ll even be the lab Ratatta here!”

“So if Brock bites the dust, it’s not safe, okay?” Leila assured everyone.

Everyone held their breaths as Brock drank down his share of the red liquid, but instead of dying, a red shield formed around him, akin to Leila’s Darkness Shroud.

[BGM: Super Paper Mario-An Unrivaled Battle]

“Amazing!” May gasped as a Zubat slipped through the alcove’s opening, only to fall to the ground defeated when it hit the red shield.

“Lemme have a taste!” Hayley grabbed a glass and drank down her share, gaining a red shield of her own. One by one, everyone drank a glass of the red liquid, allowing them to simply walk through the flock of angered Zubats and other Pokemon, push more rocks with relative ease, and move faster.

After winding through more corridors and floors of rocks and walking through more swarms of Pokemon, the shields all faded when the group arrived on the bottom floor, where a white mirror with snowflake trim stood hovering on a pedestal before them.

“Finally!” Dawn was relieved to reach the bottom.

“Well done!” Articuno’s voice echoed through the cave. “As a reward for making it to the bottom, I will allow you to keep one type of item that you have picked up in the cave.”

Brenna gingerly picked up the Mirror and stashed it in her backpack. “Did you pick up any more of those red potions, Brock?”

“Sure did.” Brock replied as he unloaded the other items the group had picked up and set them on the ground.

“Those just might come in handy later.” Ash agreed as the group was warped outside, where Wes and Rui were waiting.

“That was faster than I thought…” Wes gasped as Brenna showed him the Mirror.

“The Mirror makes three pieces.” Brenna smiled as Kaichou set it and the Heart of Fire back inside the storage box. “So where to from here, Wes?”

“I’m just glad to be out of that cave!” Misty complained as Swellow soared among the clouds.

Wes was unfazed. “At any rate, our next stop requires a return trip to Johto, where we will meet Celebi, the one who holds the earth holder’s piece–one that will amplify his voice and give it even more power to damage and heal.” He let that hang as Swellow passed over a vast ocean and a path leading into Goldenrod City, where a familiar red sensor blinked nearby a rock.

To Be Continued…

o^-^o: We’re almost halfway, but what kind of item could Brock be getting? Don’t miss Episode 32 next week to find out!

o^-^o: Don’t close that browser! Here’s what’s coming up this week on “Pokemon: Melodic Warriors”….

BEGIN PREVIEW

“The Mirror makes three pieces.” Brenna smiled as Kaichou set it and the Heart of Fire back inside the storage box. “So where to from here, Wes?”

“I’m just glad to be out of that cave!” Misty complained as Swellow soared among the clouds.

Wes was unfazed. “At any rate, our next stop requires a return trip to Johto, where we will meet Celebi, the one who holds the earth holder’s piece–one that will amplify his voice and give it even more power to damage and heal…”

END PREVIEW

o^-^o: What challenge does Celebi hold for our heroes? Stop by tomorrow and see!