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An Illusion of Heroes

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Episode 2: An Illusion of Heroes

Brock still can’t believe that he, his friends, and Happini have been pulled into one of their favorite TV shows. “Someone pinch me…”

“Pini?” Happini isn’t sure–usually Brock gets mad if she pinches anyone.

“Yeah, I’m sure–go on and give me a good pinch…if this is a dream, we’ll wake up back at home in the living room.” Brock explains. “I won’t be mad, promise.”

“Ha pi…” With that, Happini gives Brock a hard pinch, making him rear back in pain.

Just then, three other Pokemon appear before the group, making time appear to stop. One is a pale purple Pokemon that looks vaguely feline, the second a star-shaped creature, and the third looks similar to a fox with black fur and red tips “Don’t be afraid, everyone…”

“Jirachi? Mew?” Ash recognizes two of the three Pokemon.

“What are you guys doing here?” Dawn is equally awed. “And who’s the fox?”

Jirachi motions to the fox Pokemon to come closer to the group. “This is Zoroark–he is the one that created this illusion.”

“Pleased to meet your acquaintance, Loras Kimbore.” Zoroark offers a paw to Dawn to show he comes in peace.

“I heard you request to find out what it would be like if you were in the world of the “Song Mage Chronicles”, and asked Zoroark to recreate the world of Thiannon as you see it on the show.” Jirachi continues. “But in order for Mew to bring you inside the illusion, Zoroark needed you to be in a trance-like state, and so Mew put you in what appears to be a deep sleep.” He shows Brock an image of the living room just as it was when they left, complete with the three of them asleep.

“So this isn’t a dream?” Brock asks the starshape Pokemon and the red and black fox Pokemon before him.

“No…although you appear to be asleep in your home world, you are actually in a state of deep meditation that can be confused for sleep.” Jirachi explains. “Once Mew put you into that state, Zoroark here created the illusion of Arran’s world for you to experience.”

“But wait a minute! Not every episode of ‘The Song Mage Chronicles’ has aired in English!” Ash protests. “Won’t we be messing up the canon on the show?”

“Like Jirachi has told you, this is merely a recreation of the world seen in the TV show–you can choose to stick to the canon or allow your flights of fancy about what has yet to come take wing.” Zoroark replies. “The choice is yours.”

“But how do we get home once we finish our quest here?” Dawn wonders.

“Once you have met the ultimate goal of assembling the Pendant of Crystal Auras and driving away the demon lord, I will return you to your world.” Zoroark replies. “Be not afraid of time’s passage–although the days will pass like normal here, your home will be just as it was at the moment you left when you return.”

“Okay, so time won’t flow while we are in the illusion of Thiannon…” Ash heaves a relieved sigh.

“When we leave you, time will not start right away–this is to give you time to reflect on what we have told you.” Jirachi turns to leave.

“Furthermore, you are being perceived as Arran, Jelan, and Loras during your time here–mastering their powers will serve you well.” Mew adds before the three Pokemon depart, leaving the trio and Happini before Karmina again.

“Since not everything has aired in English yet, let’s stick to the canon starting out, then take a few liberties when we reach the end of the English canon.” Ash suggests.

“Zoroark said that this is just an illusion, so canon won’t be affected.” Dawn reminds him. “So let’s take a few liberties as we traverse through what we do know.”

“What do you think?” Ash looks to Brock for his input on what to do once time starts again.

“I feel it’s best if we mainly stick to the English canon, with room for a few liberties as needed.” Brock suggests. At this, some familiar items drop before the group: a harp and a sword for Brock, a bow for Ash, and some disks in front of Dawn.

“Jelan’s Bow of Rainbows!” Ash immediately recognizes the beautiful maple bow with gold inlays and star designs. A quiver filled with wing-tipped arrows sits close by.

“Loras’ Celestial Spinners!” Dawn is just as surprised.

Brock, meanwhile, studies the small harp with gems and ivy inlays before him as he sets the sword on his right thigh. “So this is what the Harp of the Mystic Dancer looks like…”

“Pini! Pini!” Happini begs.

“Play it?” Brock is a bit hesitant at first.

“You’re playing the role of Arran Seluna, of course you can play it!” Dawn assures Brock.

“Play ‘The Beautifly’ and call Pikachu here!” Ash suggests.

“No, play the Final Fantasy Prelude!” Dawn asks.

Brock sighs and picks up the harp. “It doesn’t matter what song I play, Aurora Flash will still work.” With that, he lifts a hand to the strings and says “Stars of the north, light a path for those from another world….Aurora Flash!” He then begins to softly play the familiar rising and falling melody of the Prelude as time starts again, making a rainbow circle form above where he is standing. Since he doesn’t have a whistle yet, Ash opts to join in by singing the whistle line, making the circle gain stars as the mass of colors opens up, allowing Pikachu to float down by Ash’s feet.

“Impressive…” Karmina is impressed.

“Jelan only wished for a companion for what task you have called us for, my lady.” Brock replies as Arran.

“As for that task, I have called you, one of my finest Song Mages, to find the eight gems, known as the dainas, that create the Pendant of Crystal Auras.” Karmina begins. “It must not fall into the hands of the demon lord Ardik.”

“So, where do we begin?” Dawn wonders.

“Travel to the town of Sundol–there you will learn of the first jewel, the ruby named Vatradaina–the Firesong.” Karmina replies. “It is a day’s journey west of here.” With that, she disappears.

Ash waves goodbye as Karmina disappears. “So, shall we?”

“Yeah!” Dawn smiles.

“Vatradaina, here we come!” Brock agrees as the three friends, Happini and Pikachu walk off into the sunset…

TO BE CONTINUED….
Part 2 of this unfinished early draft of Thiannon

In this version, the Eight Dainas had different names--the ruby one, Lauki, was named Vatradaina in this early version

This was written when BW was new, which explains Zoroark's appearance
© 2015 - 2024 LightningTopaz
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