She'd been all blocked up inside before, lost and needing, but she finally found healing in a pent-up rush of emotions. After a few very long moments of just plain weeping and thinking of Lukia and her past, she heard a swift rush of cool air and then something lightly brushed up against her back. Then she heard a trio of strange voices speaking.
"So this is her," one said, "Rather an unassuming woman, I must say." The second cut in, "Well, she is the Chosen One. Seems kind of frail to me, though." "Easy for you to say," the third interrupted, "You almost fried her, you spiky dork!" The second replied, "That was the thunderstorm, not me! And, pray tell me, just which of us tried to freeze her back there?" "Point well taken," the third conceded, "Besides, I didn't actually hit her. You, however, did." The second barked, "How many freaking times do I have to say it to you, glacier-for-brains? That was not me!" "Okay, okay," the third said, "Don't get your feathers in a uproar." //Hey there, guys! How's it going?// The third replied, "Cool, Lukia. Cool. Except for the fact that bozo beak here won't own up to his actions back there." The second shrieked, "That wasn't me, feather butt!" //Whatever you say. I have bigger concerns.// There was a short pause. //Emily, are you all right?// She recovered and stood up. She was surrounded on all sides by large birds. Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres were standing together on one side. Lukia herself was on the other side. Emily ran over to hug the great bird, crying, "Lukia! I thought you were dead! Are you all right? Are you hurt?" //I'm just fine, Emily. Now, I want you to meet my three friends. This icy bird maiden is Articuno.// The great blue bird stepped forward, nodded gravely, folded her glittering wings and said, "Hello there-Emily, is it? I am Articuno. I'd shake hands with you, but…well…I don't have any hands." //Here is Zapdos, winged lord of thunder.// The spiky yellow bird nodded slowly and said, "Yep, I'm Zapdos. I'm sorry about the storm. Icicle head over there thinks it was my fault you got zapped on my island." Articuno snapped, "Hey!" //Can it, you two. Nobody cares whose fault it was. Last of all, I want you to meet Moltres, the fiery king of the volcanic world.// The flaming bird also nodded, then said to her, "Moltres is the name, flaming stuff is my game. Those two numbskulls over there are my buddies." Articuno and Zapdos both snapped, "Hey!" Emily interrupted, "You guys can talk?" Articuno replied, "Yes, we can all talk quite well, Emily. But we only talk when we have something we want to say to someone."
They stood together by the altar, looking at the view of the three islands. Zapdos said, "You know, guys, we aren't gods anymore. We're a group of wholly mortal birds now. We're the only ones of our kind in the world, so when we all die…" //I know. There will be no more Zapdoses, no more Moltreses, and no more Articunos. You forget. I am mortal now, too. When I die, there will be no more Lukias.// Emily looked out over the waves and shouted in shocked wonder, "Look there! Dear Lord, Lukia, look!" The birds saw the strange and wonderful things happening on their islands and over the sea.
Fire Island was spewing small jets of flames in all directions. Each jet erupted into the sky, then spread fiery wings and became a Moltres. Lightning Island's thunderstorm was raging more than ever before. The thunderbolts coalesced into bright yellow avian forms, each of which gave the distinctive whistling cry unique to Zapdos. Ice Island's ice was cracking and shooting crystal shards into the air. Each one quickly changed from white to blue, as it became an iridescent Articuno. Then the sea itself erupted as untold thousands of great blue-white birds arose into the blue sky, and each one was a Lukia. These new birds circled high over their islands, and the sea was covered by a great circle of Lukias. Emily was so excited that she felt an urge to shout. She succumbed to the urge and cried out, "O God of Changed Birds, hear me now! Great king of the elements, I bid you listen! Bring forth the birds, mortals all, yet let them still be the elemental forces they are! Bring them forth leaping, rejoicing in song, careening through clouds and soaring in light!"
Everyone was awestruck in a major way, especially the birds. Then some unknown person shouted, "The sun! Look! Look at the sun!" They all looked upward. The sun flared brighter as they all got a sudden sense of proximity, as if something unknown had suddenly come between the lot of them and the sun. The intense, burning white light expanded…expanded…and then exploded, blazing fragments flying in all directions, and each one was a great glimmering silver-white bird. //Oh my goodness…// Articuno cried, "I recognize those birds! They're legendary, even among us birds! They are the birds of light, and they are called Houous!" Emily paused, taking it all in and then asked, "Those other Moltreses, Zapdoses, Articunos and Lukias appeared because you were here. If these Houous are here, then who was here to initiate their coming? Where is the first bird of light; the one that caused their arrival?" //It's really very simple, Emily. Look down at yourself.// She looked down at herself and saw that she was shining a bright white. As she watched in awe, her hands became great silvery-white wings. She gave a cry of sheer wonder and shouted, "Oh, wow! I'm a Houou! Is this because I'm the Chosen One, or is it the other way around? Was that why I understood you three or can you truly speak English? Cool! I can fly!" //Not only that, but you can change back and forth from woman to bird and bird to woman at will. You can go where any one of us can go. That means you can venture into the deepest, darkest hearts of huge volcanoes, and you can ride upon the wings of the lightning and know the crystal mysteries that lie hidden in the secret hearts of the greatest glaciers as, before, only Articuno could. And you can boldly go where none but I have gone before, Emily. The ocean's floor is now your playground as well. But also, like all Houous, you can venture up and into the depths of space as far as you want. Heck, you don't even have to come back if you don't want to.// She said loudly, as if performing a great ceremony, "As I have cast off my old face and form, so too do I cast off its sorrows! As I change my body, so too do I change my name! Emily Ash is no more! She is dead and gone! Only I remain! I would be just plain Houou, but it's way too hard to say right. Thusly, I take a different name for a different bird of light! My name is Phoenix!" She turned back to the crowd, spread her silver wings and shouted to them, "What is my name?" The natives, who had been watching the miraculous avian genesis and transformation the whole time, cheered loudly, "Phoenix! Phoenix! Phoenix!" She said, "The other great birds, the new great birds will take on individual names, like Chiller and Zap and Magma and Photon and Aqua. But we, the five originals, shall only be known by the names we have always been called by others and by ourselves: Lukia, Zapdos, Moltres, Articuno and Phoenix. I am also just little old Emily, but that is only when I am a human. In this beautiful silver feathered form, I need no name save for that which describes what and who I am. Heck, I'm literally a phoenix wearing tennis shoes." Her silvery-white feathery form became the form of plain Emily Ash, which she knew so very well. Connor came up beside them all and said, "Hey! I know what we can do now. This deserves a victory celebration! Music and dance…food and fun! And in the places of honor…you five great birds!"
A great bonfire had been built in the center of town, in the middle of the amphitheater where Connor had shown everyone the three stones of power not even half a day earlier. Some of the town's residents sat on all sides in great ascending rows carved out of stone. Others around the fire whirled and capered in a wild dance. Several people sitting off to one side beat drums with all their might, playing a wild, pulse-pounding rhythm. There were five large stone pedestals on the opposite side of the great amphitheater, and each one was crowned with a big nest made of soft hay and sweet-scented grasses. The four birds, Lukia, Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres, sat in those nests and watched the celebration unfold around them. Phoenix had reverted to her human persona and become merely Emily. Needing no roost in that form, she simply sat by the four birds in the nest that had been meant for her and just plain watched the show. The soft hay made her itch fiercely and she fidgeted nonstop while she sat. As the dance finally ended and the wild music slowly fell away into pure silence, she slowly stood up and walked off, heading over toward the drummers. As she walked away, she scratched periodically, shaking bits of itchy hay out of her clothing. She looked back at the birds, smiled, winked and continued off, giggling madly. Turning to them a second time, she said, "I'll be back in just a few short minutes, everyone. All I've got to do is go prepare this special little thing I've been planning for the four of you. See you then, okay? So long, guys!" She turned away and almost seemed to cackle insanely. She evidently had something huge planned for her four bird friends. They heard her continue to giggle as she moved out of sight. Lukia got the sneaking feeling that she was maybe planning to pull some sort of a prank on them or something like that and turned to the other birds to get their opinions on it. //What do you think she's up to now, Articuno?// "Sure beats me all to heck," the ice bird replied. Zapdos cut in, "Are you having fun now? I sure am. Hey, Moltres, is this whole thing great fun or what?" The firebird replied, "Right now I'm just wondering when dinner will be. Maybe there'll be fruit. Or maybe even meat." Articuno griped, "Dang it, Moltres, you're always hungry. Don't you ever think about anything but food, food and more food?" Moltres replied, "Well, I think about eating sometimes…" "It serves me right for asking you a question with an answer that obvious," the ice bird grumbled, "You're just an overly large stomach with wings." Zapdos cut in, "Just lay off him, snow brain. You know how whacked-out he is whenever he's hungry." Articuno replied, "I sure do, bozo beak. Whenever he's hungry, he's totally nuts on the subject of food. But, man, his brain just seems to disappear. And don't you dare call me names, static boy." //Break it up, you two. We're here to have fun, not fight. Look there! There's Emily!//
Sure enough, Emily had stepped between the lot of them and the bonfire, casting her face and body into deepest shadow. The drummers seemed to be getting ready for something very big. She pulled out her ocarina, which was swiftly becoming a holy object on Rainbow Island, and raised it to her lips. She played a slow series of slinky notes, and they sounded a little bit like Lukia's trilling cry. As she played her rendition of Lukia's musical call a second time, the drummers started in on a primal, pulsing rhythm that sounded a little bit like a heartbeat. Emily paused for just a short moment, letting the drummers set the pace alone. Then, after a few long seconds of just standing there like a living statue, she took a huge breath and then promptly launched into a swift, lilting tune that sounded a little like Lukia's special song. As she played, she whirled and capered in an improvised ballet. Her steps were perfectly synchronized with the wild drumming, giving the song an even stronger driving beat although it had more than enough beat for itself and several other songs as well. She played on with all her heart and soul, pouring her true feelings toward Lukia into it. As she played on and on, Lukia slowly became aware of the fact that the emotions the song projected were the emotions Emily felt toward her. Emily was eternally grateful to the great sea bird, believing that Lukia's sudden, accidental arrival at her seaside house had actually saved her life. She would have eventually, inevitably committed suicide, otherwise. Lukia had given her a new chance for a new life; she owed the great bird a life debt, which she intended to repay. As soon as she figured out how to do it, she would repay her debt a thousand times over.
With a last, long, sad rendition of Lukia's call, the song faded softly to a gentle close. Emily looked directly at Lukia and said, "Okay, that's all for that one. That song was of you and for you, Lukia. Call it a very sincere musical gift from a rather large group of very grateful people. And now… Articuno, you're one cool gal and all I have to say is this: I got something very special for you right here and right now. So listen up, okay? Here's a very cool tune for a very cool bird. Did I just say cool? No, I really should have said cold! Well… Seriously, I can only hope and pray that this song can capture the ambient feeling of crystalline icy depths, the mysteriously beautiful glacial realm where you are the one and only top bird… Whoa-oh-oh, baby, she's cold as ice…so here I go!" She picked up a small harp and then began to play a slow tune; weaving a quiet series of delicate, tinkling notes that seemed to cascade like a waterfall of ice. Slow, elegant and stately, the song wove a crystal clear picture of frozen depths, of cold, of shining frost. She played the whole song all alone, needing absolutely no help whatsoever to convey to her audience exactly what she wanted to convey. At the very end of the song, she played a slow series of descending notes, bringing the gentle song of ice and cold toward its inevitable close. But, right after finishing the lilting series of descending notes, she merely paused. She hit a gentle, crystal clear tone, held it for just a second, and then jumped to a slightly higher one in what was a very good representation of Articuno's high, lilting call. Emily ended the cold song, letting the melody fall away into silence.
After picking up her ocarina, she turned to Moltres and said, "Yo, Moltres! Pay a little attention to me for just a second, would you? Okay then, ya crazy flaming bird, I hope you can concentrate on something other than food long enough for me to play this next song for you. I just need to get some help on this one. Guys, if you would be ever so kind as to begin it now?"
THE FIREBIRD SUITE FROM FANTASIA 2000
A frenetic beat quickly kicked up, conjuring up the unmistakable images of a raging wildfire. It rapidly faded into the background as Emily began to play a hypnotic tune. It was a greatly modified version of the Firebird Suite, twisted and molded to serve a whole new purpose: to entertain and praise a crazy flaming bird that was the sole master of all things fiery. Diverging from the hypnotic tune of the Firebird Suite, she began to play an ascending melody, creating the sense of something rising. As the music rose to its inevitable peak, Emily reared back and shrieked out a crazy rendition of Moltres's call, ending the wild and frantic tune she'd dedicated to the great firebird.
After a few long seconds of total silence broken only by the sounds of people breathing, she spoke up yet again, saying, "Hey over there, Zapdos. Now you just listen up here, okay? This next song is going to be incredibly hard for all of us to do right, so you'd better pay some very good attention to it now…or else I'm going to be a very unhappy bird…uh…girl. After all, this next song is dedicated to the true storm king, the wielder of fiercest lightning… I dedicate this song to you, Zapdos, and to the power of thunder!"
PINES OF ROME FROM FANTASIA 2000
It started with short, sharply abrupt stokes of many multitudinous stringed instruments, conveying the quickly flickering flash and buzzing crackle of lightning. Huge drums imitated the crashing and roaring of thunder. After about a half a minute of just listening to that meteorological melody, Emily slowly began to weave in a light thread of swift, lilting music. Swiftly cascading, tinkling and bouncing all over the musical scale, the wild melody conjured up the image of something that was both utterly strange and truly stupendous flying inside of the storm itself. She then played a long, commanding series of lower notes, and the drums echoed those notes. From those low, echoing notes, she switched to an urgent-sounding swift series of much higher tones, which the multitudes of stringed instruments echoed just as the drums had mere moments ago, conveying the unmistakable sense that whatever was flying in the storm was also controlling it as it flew along. Soon it was as if she was orchestrating a fully raging thunderstorm, lightning and rain included. The wildly strident song sounded like a completely insane, crazy cross between Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and the concerto Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. After a few long minutes of thunderously stupendous harmony, the musical storm slowly began to fade away into oblivion as Emily played a slow, flowing series of sharp whistling calls that startled Zapdos greatly. He cried, "Hey! That sounds just like me!" //Zapdos… Don't talk during the song, please. We're all trying to listen.// The song ended with a great crash of huge drums and a wild, shrieking rendition of his unique call.
Moltres had completely forgotten about how hungry he was. Zapdos and Articuno were astonished and had actually managed to stop fighting and teasing each other for a few minutes. Lukia looked as if she'd seen a ghost. Emily stepped just a little bit closer to the lot of them and said, "Well, those were our songs. Did you like them?" The response was completely jumbled, yet very positive. They had loved it. Lukia, the one true mistress of music, could see only one fault in it. //Emily, it seems to me that you left something out.// She replied, "I played songs for all you birds. What could I have left out?" //You forgot about yourself. You, too, are a bird. There was no song for the Houous or Phoenix.// She cut in, "I can easily do ice, water, fire and lightning relatively easily. But how in the world can I do light? And, besides, it's just not at all polite for me to play a song about myself." //Not polite, you say? Neglecting to play a song for an entire species is impolite.// Emily said, "You're right about that. I'll do it, but I don't know how I can render light into song. Wait! I do know how to do that! Okay then, here I go now!"
She quickly stepped right back to where she'd stood before and said, "New song now, folks! I sing of both power and purity! I sing of strength mixed with equal parts love and wisdom! I sing of light itself! This song is for all Houous everywhere, those who live now and those who have yet to be born! Listen well to my song, all of you, human and bird alike! I speak to the birds as a human woman when I say this: If you don't want worship, then take friendship. Here is a song to speak of the healing magic…to show that the great birds are helpers, and that they sometimes need help too." She took up the harp and began to play a sad song. She poured the pain and betrayal that she had felt over the course of her painful life into the song, weaving a beautiful melody of exquisite sorrow.
When it ended, just about everybody was crying. //Oh, Emily. I didn't know…// Emily had kept the depths of her inner pain a secret even from Lukia, but now the great bird knew just how deeply she had been hurt. Her despair, her hopelessness and her wish for the strength to commit suicide were no longer a secret. She began to play the song again, weaving the sad melody into a song of healing and reconciliation with the sorrow of the past. Adding the love of flight's freedom, the joys of being a bird, she ended the song.
She then shouted to everyone with great seriousness, "As I have been given new life, so shall the world be given new life! As my soul has been healed, so shall the world's soul be healed! As I am reborn, so shall the world be reborn! As I have been transformed, so shall the world be transformed! As I am made whole, so shall the world be made whole! As my pain is washed away, so shall the world's pain be washed away! As I am released from my sorrow, so shall the world be released from its sorrow! Hear me now, all of you! People of Rainbow Island; I bid you hear me now! As Phoenix, the foremother of any and all Houous everywhere, I do solemnly swear it on my silver feathers and my new life as a great bird! Let this moment forever be remembered for all eternity as the time when the healing light of the Phoenix was born into this world! Even the gods have gods, for as you worshiped the great birds, the great birds worshiped the Houous! From this moment onward into the depths of eternity, let this island be known to all whom will listen as the place where the bird of light descended from the heavens to heal the world with a song of life's hope! Let it be known that this is the place where for all time was sealed the Promise of the Phoenix! Bear witness to this solemn oath, people of the Isle of Light!"
Then she readied her little harp again and said, "And now… Here's a nifty little ballad describing my recent adventures with Lukia! I really hope it doesn't stink too badly, but I'm going to be making it up as I go along! And here I go! Ladies and germs, I got a real treat for you! Maybe you have or have not heard of the musical piece called Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, well, here's Emily and Lukia in Sea Major!" She played a delicate, sprightly little tune, bouncing and jigging all over the musical scale. The drummers waited as she ran through the basic melody, then took up the beat and harmonized with her as she set up for the rest of the song. Then she began to sing in a soft, sweet voice.
"Wake up one morning
To a strange day
Baby, it's July
Why is it snowing?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Sunrise on the cliff, facing the dawn
Playing my song for the morning
Look down to the beach
What do I see?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Down there in the surf I see you
Wing broken, body torn, song rent asunder
Lukia, sea bird, goddess, beauty
Why have you come to me?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Rushing to your side
We're suddenly face to face
You scream. I scream too.
Why are we all so frightened?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
A simple reassurance
Seems you can understand me
I won't hurt you, beautiful bird
Will you let me help you?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Side by side to the barn
I lead and you follow
Threefold injuries on your body
Where do I begin?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Wing in a cast, bandages strewn all about
You feel a little better now
Then we start talking
How did you get here?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Three birds and three islands
A conflict far across the sea
A song has failed
Has it finally come to be?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
You panic and so do I
An ancient prophecy remembered
And a secret held in my name
Was this meant to be?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Weeks and weeks spent talking
Just a little mystery
The past and the present as one
Why does it feel so right?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Healed wing, strength gone
The exercises begin
You're impatient, always asking
When will this be done?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
The time has come
So here we go
On your back I taste true freedom
Has my adventure truly begun?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Fire Island is the first
Bravely I dare the heat
In my hand a crimson star blazes
Was there ever any doubt?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Next up is Lightning Island
And the flashing, crashing storm
A yellow sun and thunder
Why must the Chosen One also be a lightning rod?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Next thing I know
I wake up on the ground
A muddy, roasted girl
Why is this happening?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
I hear you squalling, Lukia
You call my name
I can hear it plain
Are you scared?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Back on your back
And back in the air
I'm in major pain
Can we land before I puke?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Ice Island, blue and glittery
That's where we're headed next
Whoa! They're right overhead!
Do you think they see us?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Another island and another temple
This time shrouded in ice
Another sphere to grab
What am I doing on the ground?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Pushed along, I skate
Overshoot the temple
Turn and run into a statue
Why am I such a klutz?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
The blue sphere is mine
I wrench it from it place
Then fall down and hit my head
Why is this trip becoming a headache?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
I skate to you and you catch me
Then we're in the air
Three cries and we're under attack
Are we going to escape?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
We are both shielded
The birds decide to work together
Lukia has to start dodging
Am I going to fall?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
A swift plan
And a swift flight
An underwater cave
Why must childhood fears still haunt me?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
We emerge again
And they are waiting for us
Shields up, Lukia
Do they have a plan?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Three blasts
A headlong charge
We fall from the sky
Will we survive?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
I awaken
You do not, Lukia
I tow you to the shore
How did I forget my fear?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
No breath stirs within you
I cannot hear your heart
You just lie there limp
Lukia, can you hear me?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Curse them!
Curse all three of them!
My only friend is gone
Why must the past repeat itself?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
I take the three spheres
Prepare to throw them
But I stop
Lukia, do I hear your voice?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
A spirit's call
I will not surrender
I head to the village
Will they help me?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
The chief greets me
His name is Connor
He says he is the beloved of Lukia
Why does that make me mad?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Three spheres in his hands now
Lumps of dead glass
He speaks of a test, but leaves me out
What will I do?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Throw off two guards
Swift kicks in the crotch
Rush to the spheres
Will I be able to reach them?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Yes! In my hand
The lightning sphere burns
They're all shocked
Why am I not surprised?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
I whip out my ocarina
And play your song, Lukia
They bow before me
Now will they help me?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Directed to the altar
I ascend a great stair
Hearing the birds, I curse them
Why did they do this?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
The natives follow
They will help me sing
Even together
Will we be strong enough?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
In the circle of the altar
I place the three spheres
The altar glows green
Is this magic?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Runes on the ground
Swept clean after eons
Unseen for millennia
Why can I read them?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Stepping up, I begin to play
Pillars flash in sequence
A mirror to my song
Will this work?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Green light flows like water
Out from the altar's base
Coloring all around
Is this magic as well?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
It stops
I don't have your power, Lukia
I cannot do it alone
What do I do now?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
The natives join in
They sing the song as well
The green light moves again
Are they adding to my power?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
I weep for you, Lukia
Dead and gone too early
A friendship done
But what do I hear?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Lukia! She's alive!
She sings with us now!
Relief bathes my soul
Why did I think her dead?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
The world is bathed in green
The birds circle, singing
All hostilities are done
Will they be friends now?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
I weep for the entire world
A rain of tears
Mostly for myself
Why do I weep now?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Presences at my back
Three voices I don't know
Two bickering, one serious
Who are they?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
A fourth voice
This one I know
I cry in joy, Lukia!
Why am I still weeping?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Introduced to three birds
The ones who fought before
They can speak English!
How can they do that?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
A startling occurrence
A sudden advent of birds
A swift genesis
How is this happening?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
The sun! Look at the sun!
Great birds of light
They sail to us from space
What called them?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Looking down
I see myself changing
A bird! I am a bird!
How wonderful can things get?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
You fanned the flames of my desire
Seemed you knew my destiny
And you told me who I'd be."
Phoenix, having reverted to the human form of Emily, visited a huge cave. The entrance was on the trail to the great altar, and all the birds had made a communal nest inside it. Emily was the one and only human to be allowed entry, since she was also a Houou. She entered the cave and was welcomed by Lukia. //I have a big surprise for you, Emily. Follow me, if you please.// Emily swiftly fell into line behind Lukia as the great bird led her deeper into the cavern. As they walked on, they encountered many different birds. There was a young boy Zapdos courting a young girl Zapdos, a mated pair of Moltreses building a nest out of feathers and rocks, several Articunos talking about recent events, a very happy Houou munching on strawberries he'd just harvested and a trio of young Lukias playing a game. Each one greeted her respectfully as she passed by. Since she was the Chosen One, each and every one of them considered her to be their foremother.
//Okay then, Emily. What I wanted to show you is through here.// Emily went through a crack that was barely big enough for a Lukia…and gasped. The whole room was a huge nest, filled with baby birds! There were tiny Zapdoses, Moltreses, Articunos, Houous and Lukias all over the place! They were all very small, downy and fuzzy. A little Zapdos bumped up against her leg and gave her static cling as it tried to show her that it wasn't just a baby. Off to one side, a pair of baby Articunos tried to use their ice beams, but ended up just making little ice cubes. A baby Moltres flapped its wings, trying in vain to fly. Several little Lukias ran around cooing like oversized pigeons and chasing each other's tails. Two tiny Houous chased each other around, cheeping happily all the while and lighting up the whole room as bright as day. The little Articunos, Zapdoses, Houous and Moltreses were as big as parrots. The little Lukias were the size of house cats. Emily cried, "Oh! They're all so cute!" She picked up a baby Articuno and cuddled it gently. It trilled happily and nuzzled her. A little Houou leaped into her lap, cheeping. The tiny Zapdos that had given her static cling started pecking at her shoelaces. Using beak and feet for leverage, a small Moltres climbed up her shirt to sit on her shoulder like a parrot. The little Lukias bumped up against her like cats, begging to be petted and played with.
Hours later, Emily slept in the nest. The baby birds snuggled up against her, asleep as well. Articuno talked with Lukia, whispering softly. Articuno said, "She sure loves those babies, doesn't she?" //Indeed. Look how worn out they all are.// Articuno replied, "I'm gonna make her the babysitter, since the babies all seem to love her so much." //I think she'll be happy with that. She's a bird, and in a way she is their mother too. No wonder she loves the babies so much.// Articuno mused, "We're all coexisting and having babies, living together in peace as we never have before. I just wonder…" //What? You wonder what?// Articuno replied, "I just wonder whether this constitutes a happy ending or not." //It sure does constitute a happy ending, Articuno. It sure does.//
THE END
"So this is her," one said, "Rather an unassuming woman, I must say." The second cut in, "Well, she is the Chosen One. Seems kind of frail to me, though." "Easy for you to say," the third interrupted, "You almost fried her, you spiky dork!" The second replied, "That was the thunderstorm, not me! And, pray tell me, just which of us tried to freeze her back there?" "Point well taken," the third conceded, "Besides, I didn't actually hit her. You, however, did." The second barked, "How many freaking times do I have to say it to you, glacier-for-brains? That was not me!" "Okay, okay," the third said, "Don't get your feathers in a uproar." //Hey there, guys! How's it going?// The third replied, "Cool, Lukia. Cool. Except for the fact that bozo beak here won't own up to his actions back there." The second shrieked, "That wasn't me, feather butt!" //Whatever you say. I have bigger concerns.// There was a short pause. //Emily, are you all right?// She recovered and stood up. She was surrounded on all sides by large birds. Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres were standing together on one side. Lukia herself was on the other side. Emily ran over to hug the great bird, crying, "Lukia! I thought you were dead! Are you all right? Are you hurt?" //I'm just fine, Emily. Now, I want you to meet my three friends. This icy bird maiden is Articuno.// The great blue bird stepped forward, nodded gravely, folded her glittering wings and said, "Hello there-Emily, is it? I am Articuno. I'd shake hands with you, but…well…I don't have any hands." //Here is Zapdos, winged lord of thunder.// The spiky yellow bird nodded slowly and said, "Yep, I'm Zapdos. I'm sorry about the storm. Icicle head over there thinks it was my fault you got zapped on my island." Articuno snapped, "Hey!" //Can it, you two. Nobody cares whose fault it was. Last of all, I want you to meet Moltres, the fiery king of the volcanic world.// The flaming bird also nodded, then said to her, "Moltres is the name, flaming stuff is my game. Those two numbskulls over there are my buddies." Articuno and Zapdos both snapped, "Hey!" Emily interrupted, "You guys can talk?" Articuno replied, "Yes, we can all talk quite well, Emily. But we only talk when we have something we want to say to someone."
They stood together by the altar, looking at the view of the three islands. Zapdos said, "You know, guys, we aren't gods anymore. We're a group of wholly mortal birds now. We're the only ones of our kind in the world, so when we all die…" //I know. There will be no more Zapdoses, no more Moltreses, and no more Articunos. You forget. I am mortal now, too. When I die, there will be no more Lukias.// Emily looked out over the waves and shouted in shocked wonder, "Look there! Dear Lord, Lukia, look!" The birds saw the strange and wonderful things happening on their islands and over the sea.
Fire Island was spewing small jets of flames in all directions. Each jet erupted into the sky, then spread fiery wings and became a Moltres. Lightning Island's thunderstorm was raging more than ever before. The thunderbolts coalesced into bright yellow avian forms, each of which gave the distinctive whistling cry unique to Zapdos. Ice Island's ice was cracking and shooting crystal shards into the air. Each one quickly changed from white to blue, as it became an iridescent Articuno. Then the sea itself erupted as untold thousands of great blue-white birds arose into the blue sky, and each one was a Lukia. These new birds circled high over their islands, and the sea was covered by a great circle of Lukias. Emily was so excited that she felt an urge to shout. She succumbed to the urge and cried out, "O God of Changed Birds, hear me now! Great king of the elements, I bid you listen! Bring forth the birds, mortals all, yet let them still be the elemental forces they are! Bring them forth leaping, rejoicing in song, careening through clouds and soaring in light!"
Everyone was awestruck in a major way, especially the birds. Then some unknown person shouted, "The sun! Look! Look at the sun!" They all looked upward. The sun flared brighter as they all got a sudden sense of proximity, as if something unknown had suddenly come between the lot of them and the sun. The intense, burning white light expanded…expanded…and then exploded, blazing fragments flying in all directions, and each one was a great glimmering silver-white bird. //Oh my goodness…// Articuno cried, "I recognize those birds! They're legendary, even among us birds! They are the birds of light, and they are called Houous!" Emily paused, taking it all in and then asked, "Those other Moltreses, Zapdoses, Articunos and Lukias appeared because you were here. If these Houous are here, then who was here to initiate their coming? Where is the first bird of light; the one that caused their arrival?" //It's really very simple, Emily. Look down at yourself.// She looked down at herself and saw that she was shining a bright white. As she watched in awe, her hands became great silvery-white wings. She gave a cry of sheer wonder and shouted, "Oh, wow! I'm a Houou! Is this because I'm the Chosen One, or is it the other way around? Was that why I understood you three or can you truly speak English? Cool! I can fly!" //Not only that, but you can change back and forth from woman to bird and bird to woman at will. You can go where any one of us can go. That means you can venture into the deepest, darkest hearts of huge volcanoes, and you can ride upon the wings of the lightning and know the crystal mysteries that lie hidden in the secret hearts of the greatest glaciers as, before, only Articuno could. And you can boldly go where none but I have gone before, Emily. The ocean's floor is now your playground as well. But also, like all Houous, you can venture up and into the depths of space as far as you want. Heck, you don't even have to come back if you don't want to.// She said loudly, as if performing a great ceremony, "As I have cast off my old face and form, so too do I cast off its sorrows! As I change my body, so too do I change my name! Emily Ash is no more! She is dead and gone! Only I remain! I would be just plain Houou, but it's way too hard to say right. Thusly, I take a different name for a different bird of light! My name is Phoenix!" She turned back to the crowd, spread her silver wings and shouted to them, "What is my name?" The natives, who had been watching the miraculous avian genesis and transformation the whole time, cheered loudly, "Phoenix! Phoenix! Phoenix!" She said, "The other great birds, the new great birds will take on individual names, like Chiller and Zap and Magma and Photon and Aqua. But we, the five originals, shall only be known by the names we have always been called by others and by ourselves: Lukia, Zapdos, Moltres, Articuno and Phoenix. I am also just little old Emily, but that is only when I am a human. In this beautiful silver feathered form, I need no name save for that which describes what and who I am. Heck, I'm literally a phoenix wearing tennis shoes." Her silvery-white feathery form became the form of plain Emily Ash, which she knew so very well. Connor came up beside them all and said, "Hey! I know what we can do now. This deserves a victory celebration! Music and dance…food and fun! And in the places of honor…you five great birds!"
A great bonfire had been built in the center of town, in the middle of the amphitheater where Connor had shown everyone the three stones of power not even half a day earlier. Some of the town's residents sat on all sides in great ascending rows carved out of stone. Others around the fire whirled and capered in a wild dance. Several people sitting off to one side beat drums with all their might, playing a wild, pulse-pounding rhythm. There were five large stone pedestals on the opposite side of the great amphitheater, and each one was crowned with a big nest made of soft hay and sweet-scented grasses. The four birds, Lukia, Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres, sat in those nests and watched the celebration unfold around them. Phoenix had reverted to her human persona and become merely Emily. Needing no roost in that form, she simply sat by the four birds in the nest that had been meant for her and just plain watched the show. The soft hay made her itch fiercely and she fidgeted nonstop while she sat. As the dance finally ended and the wild music slowly fell away into pure silence, she slowly stood up and walked off, heading over toward the drummers. As she walked away, she scratched periodically, shaking bits of itchy hay out of her clothing. She looked back at the birds, smiled, winked and continued off, giggling madly. Turning to them a second time, she said, "I'll be back in just a few short minutes, everyone. All I've got to do is go prepare this special little thing I've been planning for the four of you. See you then, okay? So long, guys!" She turned away and almost seemed to cackle insanely. She evidently had something huge planned for her four bird friends. They heard her continue to giggle as she moved out of sight. Lukia got the sneaking feeling that she was maybe planning to pull some sort of a prank on them or something like that and turned to the other birds to get their opinions on it. //What do you think she's up to now, Articuno?// "Sure beats me all to heck," the ice bird replied. Zapdos cut in, "Are you having fun now? I sure am. Hey, Moltres, is this whole thing great fun or what?" The firebird replied, "Right now I'm just wondering when dinner will be. Maybe there'll be fruit. Or maybe even meat." Articuno griped, "Dang it, Moltres, you're always hungry. Don't you ever think about anything but food, food and more food?" Moltres replied, "Well, I think about eating sometimes…" "It serves me right for asking you a question with an answer that obvious," the ice bird grumbled, "You're just an overly large stomach with wings." Zapdos cut in, "Just lay off him, snow brain. You know how whacked-out he is whenever he's hungry." Articuno replied, "I sure do, bozo beak. Whenever he's hungry, he's totally nuts on the subject of food. But, man, his brain just seems to disappear. And don't you dare call me names, static boy." //Break it up, you two. We're here to have fun, not fight. Look there! There's Emily!//
Sure enough, Emily had stepped between the lot of them and the bonfire, casting her face and body into deepest shadow. The drummers seemed to be getting ready for something very big. She pulled out her ocarina, which was swiftly becoming a holy object on Rainbow Island, and raised it to her lips. She played a slow series of slinky notes, and they sounded a little bit like Lukia's trilling cry. As she played her rendition of Lukia's musical call a second time, the drummers started in on a primal, pulsing rhythm that sounded a little bit like a heartbeat. Emily paused for just a short moment, letting the drummers set the pace alone. Then, after a few long seconds of just standing there like a living statue, she took a huge breath and then promptly launched into a swift, lilting tune that sounded a little like Lukia's special song. As she played, she whirled and capered in an improvised ballet. Her steps were perfectly synchronized with the wild drumming, giving the song an even stronger driving beat although it had more than enough beat for itself and several other songs as well. She played on with all her heart and soul, pouring her true feelings toward Lukia into it. As she played on and on, Lukia slowly became aware of the fact that the emotions the song projected were the emotions Emily felt toward her. Emily was eternally grateful to the great sea bird, believing that Lukia's sudden, accidental arrival at her seaside house had actually saved her life. She would have eventually, inevitably committed suicide, otherwise. Lukia had given her a new chance for a new life; she owed the great bird a life debt, which she intended to repay. As soon as she figured out how to do it, she would repay her debt a thousand times over.
With a last, long, sad rendition of Lukia's call, the song faded softly to a gentle close. Emily looked directly at Lukia and said, "Okay, that's all for that one. That song was of you and for you, Lukia. Call it a very sincere musical gift from a rather large group of very grateful people. And now… Articuno, you're one cool gal and all I have to say is this: I got something very special for you right here and right now. So listen up, okay? Here's a very cool tune for a very cool bird. Did I just say cool? No, I really should have said cold! Well… Seriously, I can only hope and pray that this song can capture the ambient feeling of crystalline icy depths, the mysteriously beautiful glacial realm where you are the one and only top bird… Whoa-oh-oh, baby, she's cold as ice…so here I go!" She picked up a small harp and then began to play a slow tune; weaving a quiet series of delicate, tinkling notes that seemed to cascade like a waterfall of ice. Slow, elegant and stately, the song wove a crystal clear picture of frozen depths, of cold, of shining frost. She played the whole song all alone, needing absolutely no help whatsoever to convey to her audience exactly what she wanted to convey. At the very end of the song, she played a slow series of descending notes, bringing the gentle song of ice and cold toward its inevitable close. But, right after finishing the lilting series of descending notes, she merely paused. She hit a gentle, crystal clear tone, held it for just a second, and then jumped to a slightly higher one in what was a very good representation of Articuno's high, lilting call. Emily ended the cold song, letting the melody fall away into silence.
After picking up her ocarina, she turned to Moltres and said, "Yo, Moltres! Pay a little attention to me for just a second, would you? Okay then, ya crazy flaming bird, I hope you can concentrate on something other than food long enough for me to play this next song for you. I just need to get some help on this one. Guys, if you would be ever so kind as to begin it now?"
THE FIREBIRD SUITE FROM FANTASIA 2000
A frenetic beat quickly kicked up, conjuring up the unmistakable images of a raging wildfire. It rapidly faded into the background as Emily began to play a hypnotic tune. It was a greatly modified version of the Firebird Suite, twisted and molded to serve a whole new purpose: to entertain and praise a crazy flaming bird that was the sole master of all things fiery. Diverging from the hypnotic tune of the Firebird Suite, she began to play an ascending melody, creating the sense of something rising. As the music rose to its inevitable peak, Emily reared back and shrieked out a crazy rendition of Moltres's call, ending the wild and frantic tune she'd dedicated to the great firebird.
After a few long seconds of total silence broken only by the sounds of people breathing, she spoke up yet again, saying, "Hey over there, Zapdos. Now you just listen up here, okay? This next song is going to be incredibly hard for all of us to do right, so you'd better pay some very good attention to it now…or else I'm going to be a very unhappy bird…uh…girl. After all, this next song is dedicated to the true storm king, the wielder of fiercest lightning… I dedicate this song to you, Zapdos, and to the power of thunder!"
PINES OF ROME FROM FANTASIA 2000
It started with short, sharply abrupt stokes of many multitudinous stringed instruments, conveying the quickly flickering flash and buzzing crackle of lightning. Huge drums imitated the crashing and roaring of thunder. After about a half a minute of just listening to that meteorological melody, Emily slowly began to weave in a light thread of swift, lilting music. Swiftly cascading, tinkling and bouncing all over the musical scale, the wild melody conjured up the image of something that was both utterly strange and truly stupendous flying inside of the storm itself. She then played a long, commanding series of lower notes, and the drums echoed those notes. From those low, echoing notes, she switched to an urgent-sounding swift series of much higher tones, which the multitudes of stringed instruments echoed just as the drums had mere moments ago, conveying the unmistakable sense that whatever was flying in the storm was also controlling it as it flew along. Soon it was as if she was orchestrating a fully raging thunderstorm, lightning and rain included. The wildly strident song sounded like a completely insane, crazy cross between Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and the concerto Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. After a few long minutes of thunderously stupendous harmony, the musical storm slowly began to fade away into oblivion as Emily played a slow, flowing series of sharp whistling calls that startled Zapdos greatly. He cried, "Hey! That sounds just like me!" //Zapdos… Don't talk during the song, please. We're all trying to listen.// The song ended with a great crash of huge drums and a wild, shrieking rendition of his unique call.
Moltres had completely forgotten about how hungry he was. Zapdos and Articuno were astonished and had actually managed to stop fighting and teasing each other for a few minutes. Lukia looked as if she'd seen a ghost. Emily stepped just a little bit closer to the lot of them and said, "Well, those were our songs. Did you like them?" The response was completely jumbled, yet very positive. They had loved it. Lukia, the one true mistress of music, could see only one fault in it. //Emily, it seems to me that you left something out.// She replied, "I played songs for all you birds. What could I have left out?" //You forgot about yourself. You, too, are a bird. There was no song for the Houous or Phoenix.// She cut in, "I can easily do ice, water, fire and lightning relatively easily. But how in the world can I do light? And, besides, it's just not at all polite for me to play a song about myself." //Not polite, you say? Neglecting to play a song for an entire species is impolite.// Emily said, "You're right about that. I'll do it, but I don't know how I can render light into song. Wait! I do know how to do that! Okay then, here I go now!"
She quickly stepped right back to where she'd stood before and said, "New song now, folks! I sing of both power and purity! I sing of strength mixed with equal parts love and wisdom! I sing of light itself! This song is for all Houous everywhere, those who live now and those who have yet to be born! Listen well to my song, all of you, human and bird alike! I speak to the birds as a human woman when I say this: If you don't want worship, then take friendship. Here is a song to speak of the healing magic…to show that the great birds are helpers, and that they sometimes need help too." She took up the harp and began to play a sad song. She poured the pain and betrayal that she had felt over the course of her painful life into the song, weaving a beautiful melody of exquisite sorrow.
When it ended, just about everybody was crying. //Oh, Emily. I didn't know…// Emily had kept the depths of her inner pain a secret even from Lukia, but now the great bird knew just how deeply she had been hurt. Her despair, her hopelessness and her wish for the strength to commit suicide were no longer a secret. She began to play the song again, weaving the sad melody into a song of healing and reconciliation with the sorrow of the past. Adding the love of flight's freedom, the joys of being a bird, she ended the song.
She then shouted to everyone with great seriousness, "As I have been given new life, so shall the world be given new life! As my soul has been healed, so shall the world's soul be healed! As I am reborn, so shall the world be reborn! As I have been transformed, so shall the world be transformed! As I am made whole, so shall the world be made whole! As my pain is washed away, so shall the world's pain be washed away! As I am released from my sorrow, so shall the world be released from its sorrow! Hear me now, all of you! People of Rainbow Island; I bid you hear me now! As Phoenix, the foremother of any and all Houous everywhere, I do solemnly swear it on my silver feathers and my new life as a great bird! Let this moment forever be remembered for all eternity as the time when the healing light of the Phoenix was born into this world! Even the gods have gods, for as you worshiped the great birds, the great birds worshiped the Houous! From this moment onward into the depths of eternity, let this island be known to all whom will listen as the place where the bird of light descended from the heavens to heal the world with a song of life's hope! Let it be known that this is the place where for all time was sealed the Promise of the Phoenix! Bear witness to this solemn oath, people of the Isle of Light!"
Then she readied her little harp again and said, "And now… Here's a nifty little ballad describing my recent adventures with Lukia! I really hope it doesn't stink too badly, but I'm going to be making it up as I go along! And here I go! Ladies and germs, I got a real treat for you! Maybe you have or have not heard of the musical piece called Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, well, here's Emily and Lukia in Sea Major!" She played a delicate, sprightly little tune, bouncing and jigging all over the musical scale. The drummers waited as she ran through the basic melody, then took up the beat and harmonized with her as she set up for the rest of the song. Then she began to sing in a soft, sweet voice.
"Wake up one morning
To a strange day
Baby, it's July
Why is it snowing?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Sunrise on the cliff, facing the dawn
Playing my song for the morning
Look down to the beach
What do I see?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Down there in the surf I see you
Wing broken, body torn, song rent asunder
Lukia, sea bird, goddess, beauty
Why have you come to me?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Rushing to your side
We're suddenly face to face
You scream. I scream too.
Why are we all so frightened?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
A simple reassurance
Seems you can understand me
I won't hurt you, beautiful bird
Will you let me help you?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Side by side to the barn
I lead and you follow
Threefold injuries on your body
Where do I begin?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Wing in a cast, bandages strewn all about
You feel a little better now
Then we start talking
How did you get here?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Three birds and three islands
A conflict far across the sea
A song has failed
Has it finally come to be?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
You panic and so do I
An ancient prophecy remembered
And a secret held in my name
Was this meant to be?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Weeks and weeks spent talking
Just a little mystery
The past and the present as one
Why does it feel so right?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Healed wing, strength gone
The exercises begin
You're impatient, always asking
When will this be done?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
The time has come
So here we go
On your back I taste true freedom
Has my adventure truly begun?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Fire Island is the first
Bravely I dare the heat
In my hand a crimson star blazes
Was there ever any doubt?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Next up is Lightning Island
And the flashing, crashing storm
A yellow sun and thunder
Why must the Chosen One also be a lightning rod?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Next thing I know
I wake up on the ground
A muddy, roasted girl
Why is this happening?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
I hear you squalling, Lukia
You call my name
I can hear it plain
Are you scared?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Back on your back
And back in the air
I'm in major pain
Can we land before I puke?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Ice Island, blue and glittery
That's where we're headed next
Whoa! They're right overhead!
Do you think they see us?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Another island and another temple
This time shrouded in ice
Another sphere to grab
What am I doing on the ground?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Pushed along, I skate
Overshoot the temple
Turn and run into a statue
Why am I such a klutz?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
The blue sphere is mine
I wrench it from it place
Then fall down and hit my head
Why is this trip becoming a headache?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
I skate to you and you catch me
Then we're in the air
Three cries and we're under attack
Are we going to escape?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
We are both shielded
The birds decide to work together
Lukia has to start dodging
Am I going to fall?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
A swift plan
And a swift flight
An underwater cave
Why must childhood fears still haunt me?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
We emerge again
And they are waiting for us
Shields up, Lukia
Do they have a plan?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Three blasts
A headlong charge
We fall from the sky
Will we survive?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
I awaken
You do not, Lukia
I tow you to the shore
How did I forget my fear?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
No breath stirs within you
I cannot hear your heart
You just lie there limp
Lukia, can you hear me?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Curse them!
Curse all three of them!
My only friend is gone
Why must the past repeat itself?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
I take the three spheres
Prepare to throw them
But I stop
Lukia, do I hear your voice?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
A spirit's call
I will not surrender
I head to the village
Will they help me?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
The chief greets me
His name is Connor
He says he is the beloved of Lukia
Why does that make me mad?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Three spheres in his hands now
Lumps of dead glass
He speaks of a test, but leaves me out
What will I do?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Throw off two guards
Swift kicks in the crotch
Rush to the spheres
Will I be able to reach them?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Yes! In my hand
The lightning sphere burns
They're all shocked
Why am I not surprised?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
I whip out my ocarina
And play your song, Lukia
They bow before me
Now will they help me?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Directed to the altar
I ascend a great stair
Hearing the birds, I curse them
Why did they do this?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
The natives follow
They will help me sing
Even together
Will we be strong enough?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
In the circle of the altar
I place the three spheres
The altar glows green
Is this magic?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Runes on the ground
Swept clean after eons
Unseen for millennia
Why can I read them?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Stepping up, I begin to play
Pillars flash in sequence
A mirror to my song
Will this work?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Green light flows like water
Out from the altar's base
Coloring all around
Is this magic as well?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
It stops
I don't have your power, Lukia
I cannot do it alone
What do I do now?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
The natives join in
They sing the song as well
The green light moves again
Are they adding to my power?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
I weep for you, Lukia
Dead and gone too early
A friendship done
But what do I hear?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Lukia! She's alive!
She sings with us now!
Relief bathes my soul
Why did I think her dead?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
The world is bathed in green
The birds circle, singing
All hostilities are done
Will they be friends now?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
I weep for the entire world
A rain of tears
Mostly for myself
Why do I weep now?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Presences at my back
Three voices I don't know
Two bickering, one serious
Who are they?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
A fourth voice
This one I know
I cry in joy, Lukia!
Why am I still weeping?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Introduced to three birds
The ones who fought before
They can speak English!
How can they do that?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
A startling occurrence
A sudden advent of birds
A swift genesis
How is this happening?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
The sun! Look at the sun!
Great birds of light
They sail to us from space
What called them?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
Fan the flames of my desire
Seems you know my destiny
Can you tell me who I'll be?
Looking down
I see myself changing
A bird! I am a bird!
How wonderful can things get?
Thunder, ice, water, fire
You fanned the flames of my desire
Seemed you knew my destiny
And you told me who I'd be."
Phoenix, having reverted to the human form of Emily, visited a huge cave. The entrance was on the trail to the great altar, and all the birds had made a communal nest inside it. Emily was the one and only human to be allowed entry, since she was also a Houou. She entered the cave and was welcomed by Lukia. //I have a big surprise for you, Emily. Follow me, if you please.// Emily swiftly fell into line behind Lukia as the great bird led her deeper into the cavern. As they walked on, they encountered many different birds. There was a young boy Zapdos courting a young girl Zapdos, a mated pair of Moltreses building a nest out of feathers and rocks, several Articunos talking about recent events, a very happy Houou munching on strawberries he'd just harvested and a trio of young Lukias playing a game. Each one greeted her respectfully as she passed by. Since she was the Chosen One, each and every one of them considered her to be their foremother.
//Okay then, Emily. What I wanted to show you is through here.// Emily went through a crack that was barely big enough for a Lukia…and gasped. The whole room was a huge nest, filled with baby birds! There were tiny Zapdoses, Moltreses, Articunos, Houous and Lukias all over the place! They were all very small, downy and fuzzy. A little Zapdos bumped up against her leg and gave her static cling as it tried to show her that it wasn't just a baby. Off to one side, a pair of baby Articunos tried to use their ice beams, but ended up just making little ice cubes. A baby Moltres flapped its wings, trying in vain to fly. Several little Lukias ran around cooing like oversized pigeons and chasing each other's tails. Two tiny Houous chased each other around, cheeping happily all the while and lighting up the whole room as bright as day. The little Articunos, Zapdoses, Houous and Moltreses were as big as parrots. The little Lukias were the size of house cats. Emily cried, "Oh! They're all so cute!" She picked up a baby Articuno and cuddled it gently. It trilled happily and nuzzled her. A little Houou leaped into her lap, cheeping. The tiny Zapdos that had given her static cling started pecking at her shoelaces. Using beak and feet for leverage, a small Moltres climbed up her shirt to sit on her shoulder like a parrot. The little Lukias bumped up against her like cats, begging to be petted and played with.
Hours later, Emily slept in the nest. The baby birds snuggled up against her, asleep as well. Articuno talked with Lukia, whispering softly. Articuno said, "She sure loves those babies, doesn't she?" //Indeed. Look how worn out they all are.// Articuno replied, "I'm gonna make her the babysitter, since the babies all seem to love her so much." //I think she'll be happy with that. She's a bird, and in a way she is their mother too. No wonder she loves the babies so much.// Articuno mused, "We're all coexisting and having babies, living together in peace as we never have before. I just wonder…" //What? You wonder what?// Articuno replied, "I just wonder whether this constitutes a happy ending or not." //It sure does constitute a happy ending, Articuno. It sure does.//
THE END