Welcome to Gaia! ::

Being a creature of the day, it was unusual for the Volcarona to be wide awake in the middle of the night. Yet, she couldn’t sleep. There seemed to be something on the breeze that blew through the open window that kept her awake and anxious. Hyacinth glanced over the room, her eyes gazing from the sleeping Dreidyn to the other two slumbering Pokémon beside her. Her wings flapped once, then twice. They did not make a sound. If she left to investigate the strange phenomenon, they wouldn’t notice.

It wouldn’t be for long, she told herself. At the first sign of trouble, she’ll return. Spreading out her wings to their full length, Hyacinth let the breeze lift her off of her perch and carry her outside.

Admittedly it was scary to navigate what would be familiar grounds during the night. Volcaronas were diurnal creatures, which was different among the other moth Pokémon like Venemoth and Dustox. So Hyacinth was not equipped with night vision and could only follow what her instincts told her to follow. As she flew on, she realized that the peculiar feeling that she noticed back at home was manifesting into a song that only she could hear. What kind of song was this though? Hyacinth was nearing Motterosa City now, which bothered her since that means she has travelled quite a long way from her home. But she was getting close to the source of the sound. She must know what the meaning behind it was. Her instincts homed in on a tree on a tree that overlooked the city and to her surprise she found…

Another Volcarona? This one was blue and black and perched on a branch so that his wings were stretched out and straightened to their fullest length. And what’s more, they were vibrating with such precision so that the buzz that he was emitting formed a beautiful song. Hyacinth flew closer to inspect the strange fellow, though her sudden presence startled him and caused him to stop the music.

“Ah, I’m sorry! That was rude of me.” She hovered a good foot or two away from him, beating her wings in flustered way.

“Rude, yes. But your company is not unwelcome.” The blue Volcarona seated himself so that he could get a clear look at her. “You are the first Volcarona I have met since becoming indentured to a human. What is your name?”

“I’m Hyacinth.”

“No. Not the name that your trainer gave you. I meant the one that your parents gave you, your real name.”

“I- I don’t understand.” This Volcarona was slightly unnerving with how he sounded. She could hear some real anger in his voice whenever he talked about humans. That either meant he was a wild Pokémon until very recently and was captured against his will, or his trainer was an abusive one. She really hoped that neither of those was the case. “My parents never gave me a name. I never met them. I-I grew up with humans when I was just a Larvesta.”

This was apparently the wrong answer, like she feared. The blue Volcarona didn’t say anything, but under his blank eyes smoldered fury. Then, when he spoke, he didn’t sound furious at all. Just frustration.

“Why would fate have it so that the only Volcarona I met would be a captive-bred one.” He turned his gaze away from Hyacinth. “Though you heard my song so perhaps there is something about you…”

“What was that song about anyway?” She flew around to meet his gaze. “It was strange. It wasn’t anything like I heard before.”

“Of course you have not heard it before. If you were raised among your own kind you would know that this song is… Nevermind.” With a flap of his wings, he took off from his branch and started flying away. Hyacinth just hovered in place, wondering if she should follow him. He didn’t seem to be a very friendly individual, but there was something about the song he played… and something about him himself that was buried underneath that anger and gruffness. It wasn’t something she wanted to give up easily.

“Hey wait up!” She flew fast enough to catch up and placed herself in front of him. “I gave you my name so couldn’t you at least tell me yours?”

“The name that my human gives me is Ragnar. Since it is the only name that you would understand.” The said Volcarona continued on as if she wasn’t talking to him.

“Ok Ragnar. If you said there was something about me, shouldn’t you be teaching me so I can learn what it’s about? I want to know!” Hyacinth was flying backwards just to keep up with him.

“It would be a waste of time. And I am not in this city for the amount of time that it would require to teach you anything.”

“Really? Why’s that?”

“My trainer is only here in the city called Motterossa for the disgusting ritual that you call Pokémon Contests. After those are over, she is heading back to the city of Katarina and bringing me with her.”

“Oh, the annual Sinnoh Ribbon Syndicate contest? My trainer was in that! She chose to enter a Joltik instead of me though.” Well if they couldn’t talk about the song that Ragnar was playing, they at least had a different topic they could talk about. Bringing up contests seemed to be a mistake though, as Ragnar stopped to shoot daggers with his eyes at Hyacinth.

“Why would any self-respecting Pokémon want to parade in front of hundreds of judging eyes, acting like a fool, and if they do win, it is only the human that gets the credit? It is just entertainment for them and more pain for us!”

“Not true! I’ve been in some contests myself and it’s almost always the Pokémon that gets basked in glory at the end, not the coordinator!”

“But at the end of the show, you get called back into your Pokeball and the humans are the ones that are rewarded ribbons and trophies. Then they train you for the next contest and reap more rewards and what do you get at the end of it?”

“I don’t need those human trinkets! What I get out of contests is strength! Beauty! Confidence!” Hyacinth really couldn’t stand how Ragnar talked bad about contests when it seemed like he never even been to a performance in his life. Well, she’ll show him what this ‘fool’ really does when she’s on stage.

“Pokémon get strong by battling. Well for those who aren’t good at battling, there’s preforming! Some Pokémon get strong by putting on displays! Like this!” Hyacinth’s wings started to glow, trails of sparkles gliding down as she started to spin in circles. The air grew thick with the silvery dust as she continued to spin in an increasingly fast-paced dance. Her movements were hypnotic and the light she was emitting only added to that effect. Then suddenly her wings lit up with golden flames that also lit the dust in the air on fire. Her flames slowly turned orange, then a deep red as she continued to dance in mid-air. Finally the fire started to die down, very slowly, until her wings were charred black and shimmered like charcoal.

Hyacinth had casted her gaze downwards, like she was bowing, and only glanced back up after she thinks that Ragnar had gotten her point. She was admittedly a little afraid of his reaction, but as she looked up, she saw the faintest of smiles on his face.

“Interesting.” Was all he had to say after her performance. “It takes fine control to manipulate the temperature of your fire to produce the colors that you did. Also your Quiver Dance and Silver wind combination at the beginning, it was very well done. For a captive-bred.”

Hyacinth wanted to shout in frustration at his stubborn-ness, but that wouldn’t have fixed anything. How is it that being born in the wild was better than being raised by humans? She couldn’t see the difference herself! Before she had the chance to retort however, Ragnar spoke again.

“If you can impress someone like me with such moves, then maybe you will be able to understand what I was singing in the trees earlier this evening. Meet me tomorrow night, same time and place.”

Gasping in surprise, Hyacinth bowed her head in thanks since she was too astonished to speak. But when she found the words that she wanted to say, the blue Volcarona had vanished.

Typical. He was so rude that he couldn’t leave without saying goodbye! But maybe it was just how he is. She was sure that she could change that part of his manners for the better, like how Ragnar was going to teach her how to sing.

For the past few days, Ragnar had flown off into the night to sing his song in peace and solitude. The city of Motterosa was a more ideal location for this activity, as he didn’t have to travel as far to find a quiet place, unlike the city of Katarina. And his time here wouldn’t last for much longer, as the contest was over and his human would soon be heading back home. To that noisy, polluted, human infested city.

As if to make his departure harder for him to bear, someone had finally listened to his song. Granted it was a captive-born Volcarona that had no idea what she heard, but she seemed promising. She was polite yet assertive and showed much potential with the dance that she had shown him. She did not forsaken her beliefs but wanted to learn about new ones. It was surprising that he was starting to like Hyacinth after one encounter, but after that first meeting he couldn’t stop thinking about what she said and did. He sat on his tree branch and hummed his song with his wings, waiting for her to show up again. And when she did, his heart surprised him by skipping a beat, although he did nothing to show his elated mood.

“So you’re going to tell me what that song is about right? And you’re going to teach me how to sing it too?” Hyacinth’s voice was tinged with joy. But Ragnar had to stop her before she got too far ahead.

“Not yet. Show me your Bug Buzz technique first.”

“Er, excuse me?”

“The basis for the song lies in that move. If you do not know it, then it’s pointless to move on.”

“I know it! It’s just…” Hyacinth sighed, and then took in a deep breath. Her wings suddenly started vibrating and transformed into a rainbow blur. The rapid flapping distorted the very air around her and a high pitch shriek was being emitted. It was nothing like the melodious tune that Ragnar generated with his wings and he visibly flinched at the nasty sound.

“Sorry! Dreidyn never taught me how to be graceful with that move! Most of my contest appeals involve dancing and such. Not songs.” She bowed her head apologetically as she slowed her wings to a more gentler beat.

Even though Hyacinth showed Ragnar how contests could be beneficial, Ragnar still thought that it was a dumb ritual that humans created to humiliate domestic Pokémon even further. He wanted to rant about how a life of human-dictated performances has ruined her abilities but that would just spark an unneeded argument that would distract them from their goals. Instead, he found the words to take a less confrontational route.

“You should not need a human to tell you how to act. Controlling the pitch and volume of your wings is the same as controlling the temperature and intensity of your flames.”

“But Dreidyn taught me how to do that!”

“And you STILL don’t need her to learn how to do this!” Ragnar was getting frustrated at how this Volcarona loved her human so much. “Our kin communicated across great distances with songs from our wings. No human taught them how to do it. They learned it from their parents, and from their instincts. Try to focus and control yourself.”

Hyacinth was frowning but she nodded. The beat of her wings sped up again, forming another ear-splitting whine. Then it died down to a low hum that lasted a second before it faded because she was then flapping her wings too slow.

“This is a common mistake in beginners. It is easier to barely exert yourself or to go all out than it is to stay in between.” Ragnar said in encouragement. “When you try again, focus on the feeling that you get when you reach the perfect pitch.”

The multi-colored Volcarona nodded as her wings vibrated once more. This time her Bug Buzz didn’t reach dangerous levels, but hung slightly below it. The resulting sound wasn’t pleasant to listen to, but it didn’t hurt. And the hum bounced between pitches, making it more melodic than her previous attempts. Hyacinth was visibly concentrating on her efforts but had to stop shortly afterwards she had hit the sweet spot.

“This is harder than I thought.” She said while landing on the branch to rest.

“Yes, it is not an easy task. I only wish I was present in this city longer so that I may work with you more.”

“Really?” Hyacinth’s surprised exclamation revealed the slip that Ragnar made. He at first glared at her as if upset that she pointed out his mistake, and then he turned his head to hide his feelings.

“You never told me about your trainer anyway. What’s she like?”

“Does it matter?” He was back to glaring at Hyacinth but then calmed his voice. “My human is a police officer of the city of Katarina. She is a respectable being but she only caught me because I was in the way. I can never fully favor a human who wishes to confine me for such a reason.”

“In the way of what?” Ragnar didn’t want to continue on with this vile topic, but Hyacinth had so much curiosity on this subject that he could feel it. She wasn’t going to let it go, like how she didn’t let him go when he tried to leave last night.

“My friend… a legendary Pokémon with immense power. She created a world of dreams that humans were trapped in. I guarded her so that none may try to harm her, but I failed…”

Hyacinth for once was silent. Dumbfounded. She stared at Ragnar, not knowing what to say. And he didn’t exactly want her to say anything. She was too young to understand anything about duty, friendship, and the cost that his failure had brought. She would either feel pity or some other impulsive emotion that he did not want. Before she could say anything in return, he opened his wings wide, scattering dust from their scales as he did so.

“Perhaps you will learn faster if you sang along with me. Watch how my wings move as I sing, and when you feel ready you may join in.”

It did not take long for his flaps to reach the perfect speed; not too fast, not too slow. The tone hung in the air like a clear crystal, dispersing into the night sky and beyond. Each part of his wing vibrated at a slightly different speed and angle, producing a layered sound that a single voice couldn’t achieve. Only a choir. And as he changed his velocity and movements, the different pitches were strung along into a melody. Sometimes his changes were gradual to make gradual transitions. Other changes were sudden, producing a sharp and distinct note. He was like a maestro with his wings, and Hyacinth watched in wonder as he performed. Ragnar could see fear and doubt in her eyes. Maybe it was a mistake to show her how an experienced Volcarona could sing. But if she was scared out of singing by this, then Ragnar must have misjudged not only her potential but her strength of character. Which would be a shame.

She did eventually join in. Her Bug Buzz was nothing like Ragnar’s song though. Harsh and unrefined, it still sang with raw energy and was tempered by his subdued melody. The Volcarona’s songs were as different as day and night, yet they still blended together and vibrated in harmony. Ragnar had never heard anything like it. His way of singing was rather methodical, and to have a newbie throw a wrench into his equation…

After what seemed to be a long time, their song reached a conclusion. As the notes faded away into the night, Hyacinth breathed heavily from keeping up with Ragnar. The blue Volcarona was also tired, but not as exhausted as his partner was.

“Well, I can say I have not had that result before.” He said when he knew she would be able to listen.

“What was supposed to happen then?”

“The song… Everyone was supposed to sing it the same way, but you. You just took my lead and ran off in another direction. It was not a bad thing however.” He hurriedly added the last part after seeing the dejected look on her face. “It was different, but in a good way.”

“Thanks.” Hyacinth smiled. After a moment of two of silence, she spoke up with the question Ragnar knew she was going to ask. “What was that song about though? You told me you were going to tell me.”

His mouth froze as admittedly, he was dreading this question from the start. But he couldn’t hold the truth from her any longer, not with the way she sang.

“It is a song that a Volcarona sing when they are lonely.”

Hyacinth’s eyes grew wide at the revelation. “You mean that-“

“It does not have to be lonely in that way.” He interrupted. “Family, friends, or a lover… This song calls out to similar hearts so that they may meet and no longer be lonely.”

He wondered how she would react. Truthfully he wasn’t yearning for a family or a friend when he sang that song. And to find such a young and innocent Volcarona answering his call was revolting at first. But he found himself becoming accustomed to the idea. Now he needed her voice on the matter. The wait as she thought about his answer was agonizing.

“I… never had to deal with this before.” Hyacinth finally said. “But I never dealt with a lot of things until I met you yesterday. If you really are lonely, then I would be happy to keep you company.”

Ragnar let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. Not the answer he was expecting, but he couldn’t expect much more from just the second encounter.

“Except you’re leaving tonight. I don’t know how we’re going to manage that!”

He only replied with a smile and a few choice words. “Remember that this song travels a long way.”

“… That it does.” Hyacinth nodded in agreement. “And we still have the whole evening to hang out together.”

“We do. I still have not finished my lesson. So instead of talking about what will happen to us in the future, we should focus what we have been tasked at this time.”

“Of course!” Hyacinth bobbed up and down. “Please, continue teaching…”