#johto lore

[lorekeeperdigo]

The Ilex Forest Shrine

Note 1

It’s probably 2 p.m. but I can’t tell, the trees are so tall and thick and the sunlight can’t cross the green leaves to illuminate the ground. How do the flowers grow in this forest?

I left Azalea Town this morning. I arrived yesterday night but I didn't have much time to visit the city. Roselia is so happy about this adventure. Her flowers shine a bit brighter every time we visit forests and gardens, she feels the natural energy and the vibrations boost her spirit, probably. Now we are sitting down after two hours of walk in the glittery darkness of the forest, we need to rest. Roselia is napping under one of the rare rays of light peeking through the trees, she feels the warmth of the sun through the red and blue hand-flowers. The perfume of her body is calming all of the wild Pokémon around us, I can see them sleeping on the trees or between the bushes, this place is packed with wild creatures!

Yesterday night I met Kurt, the famous Pokéball maker. My professor told me to trust everything he would have said (note for myself : I need to write a letter and thank him again). He’s one of the last artisans that still keeps alive the old tradition of hand-made pokéballs. It’s truly fascinating. When I think about the Hisuian Museum in Sinnoh, or the massive factories in Kalos… we came so far, today technology is baffling!

Kurt showed me his library and some old books about the history of the Ilex Forest and the secrets of the wooden shrine. The sightings of Celebi are pretty rare: legends say that he appears only during peaceful times and, as we know, today's world climate isn’t one of the best… I don’t know if I’m going to meet them today, I’m gonna keep my fingers crossed but I think it’s pretty impossible.

I do have my photo scanner with me: I want to perfectly map the inscriptions written inside the shrine and study them back at university. I might be able to unlock some hidden secrets, who knows. All the books I found back in my University’s library show photos where the moss is growing all around the shrine, inside and outside, I’ll gently scrape it off and finally get a complete version of the inscriptions.

Kurt gifted me a small token of fortune for my small adventure, a rare GS-ball. Yes! When he gave it to me, I gasped. It wasn’t my first time handling one of those special pokéballs but, normally, they are always stored in museums and they are broken or just consumed by time. This one is actually working!

Also, when I named it the gold-silver ball, he corrected me immediately. In my books back home, that’s the name for this celebratory poké ball, but Kurt told me I was wrong. The eastern world thinks that the G stands for gold, and the S for silver. This is a common mistake. The Alolans call it the “greatest smith’s ball”, but also this tale is wrong. Dramatically, while he dropped the ball in my hand he said to take care of the generation sympathy ball, the GS ball, that’s the right name! The one thing that could actually bring me closer to Celebi. Kurt told me about the myth surrounding the GS-ball, an old tale I heard before once or twice, but never in such detail. Let’s write it down:

In ancient times, the friendship between the Azalea Village and Goldenrod was ruined by the rivalry of the people in power. While Azalea was thriving via the commercial routes with Kanto, Goldenrod was achieving glory through the sea: in the middle, suffering from the dispute, the Pokémon of the Ilex Forest were in danger.

While the animosity became stronger, Mother Nature punished the region with the strongest storm humans ever lived: after that it was impossible to travel via water for Golderod, or cross the mountains to Kanto for Azalea. The crisis broke the spirit of the two towns. The people were now obliged to exchange goods between them to raise themselves back up from the ashes, like Ho-oh. A new sense of friendship was born and peace became the new way of living. During the signing ceremony of the agreement, a Celebi appeared playing with the people of Azalea and Goldenrod. People of both parties celebrated that day, looking at the time travelling Pokémon as an omen of good luck.

The same day one GS-ball was forged and left inside the shrine of the Ilex Forest. During the celebration, people heard a voice singing and a flute playing, and just like that the GS-ball disappeared. At that moment they knew Celebi appreciated the shiny gift.

I’m going to stop writing for now, there is a Hoothoot looking at me in a funny way, just over a tree, next to me. Is it already night time? It isn’t possible! It might be because the forest is so thick that night-time creatures come out during the day, I read something like this somewhere…

[lustrous-dawn]

“You come to me. Bearing your young.” Susano shook their head at the foolishness of this bold move. “Did you believe I would not harm it?” 

“She can handle you just as I have,” said the human postulating. Not a single thought of fear was in his features. He carried himself with the utmost confidence, wrapped in the pelt of the Arcanine, fierce and strong. On his back, his precious cargo, a small mittened hand reaching forth. 

It was the confidence that drew the Leviathan to this human. His personality was… likable. Yet no one earned a fang from the great Susano for simply being likable, however. As a bitter chill rolled over, the Leviathan extended a wing, shielding the human and his young. 

“Then why have you come here?” It must be dire for the human to leave his nest, to come with his young when winter’s chill crept around the corner. A snort from the Lugia as a snowflake landed on their snout. Their discomfort excited a squeal from the infant snuggled in bundles of fur and wool. 

“I come to you as a friend. This winter has not been kind to us.” The first hint of melancholy in his tone. “We lose more by the day from the blizzards.”

“You know I cannot be seen showing favoritism.” It was the reality they both lived in. The Lugia firmly believed if the humans would prevail, it must come from their own strength and not the great Legendary. 

“That I know. But there's nothing in the rules that the Great Susano could show us a shelter. By saying… a prophecy perhaps?” 

A look from the Lugia, a baring of teeth. The human didn't back down, his eyes never straying. “This is dangerous.”

“You know Reiko and her people are quite the proficient seers. Just say it came from one of them.” 

A scowl. “I do not mingle with them.” Susano did not believe in complete Clairvoyance. It was impossible. Fate always changes through one's actions.

“Just a sign, Susano. That is all I ask. I want to keep this one alive. Just this once.” 

Susano felt the knife plunge at his words. This was not their first. “I never knew.”

“I never told you. Please.” 

A small sigh. “Go west. You must prove yourself to the dragons in the region if your clan wishes to survive.” 

[lustrous-dawn]

There was a time lightning ravaged the lands and wild winds ran amok, unchecked by their sentient god.

Unaware of what he has created, what he has done, Tornadus and Thundurus came into existence, the pure essence of Lightning and Tempests. They believed they were doing their creator a good justice, bringing water to the land and winds to blow up the debris. Wrong how they were as the Storm descended onto the land to see his beautiful world torn apart by his precious children. Upset and angered, he rebuked them, stripping them of their glorious Therian Forme.

This only upset them and enraged them further. Out of fury, they unleashed their wrath on the lands once more, a trail of devastation in their wake.

Worried and unwilling to destroy his children, he and the Sun created a third, one that would quell the fighting, restore the land to its pristine shape once again. Landorus, the divine, one who brings the land to life and allows it to flourish.

Landorus fulfilled its purpose, silencing the fighting effectively, becoming the Voice of Reason for the trio, the pillar of it all. Willingly, Landorus forfeited its rights to its Therian Forme to be like its siblings, their power locked away behind a precious mirror. And together they worked to make the land flourish, receiving wishes and answering prays to those who were honorable, worthy enough to receive.

[lustrous-dawn]

Susano snarled at the dragons so bolden to approach them as they folded their wings to shelter the human from view. The dragons encircled them, cutting off their escape routes. Growls resounded amongst themselves, some unsure, others with unveiled menace as eyes focused balefully on the prize the Lugia hid.

What have you done, Ryuichi?! The telepathic line was old, barely used. It was a shock to the human they held close, their head jerking at the booming voice. 

I have done nothing. I only acted as an ambassador as you have told me. There was no trace of a lie hidden beneath his serious tone. He clutched his arm tight to his person, the raking of claws marring his forearm. Ryuichi held his head, his eyes fierce as he met those of a dragon unflinching. The one whose claws are stained with blood. This one said I was not to be trusted. 

[lustrous-dawn]

i had some Zhen thoughts today, trying to be somewhat creative a bit.

Zhen has a Surname!

Zhen Hinode

The Hinode name was quite prevalent in Old Johto, the first clan recognized by Mother Reiko.

This clan prized itself in information, first and foremost, skills of Falconry.

Over the years however, the importance of this clan has lost its luster and became lesser unlike the Ryuuzaki clan which has risen in popularity due to their mastery of the Dragons.