Ludicolo and Shiftry

The Zamastil Wilderness was an alpine forest, thick and green all year round. There were signs of a former human habitation. Open-walled wooden structures provided shelter from rain. Cozy cabins held coal-burning stoves, which could be used by Fire Pokemon to keep others warm during snow. The asphalt paths were mostly broken-up by tree roots and hardy weeds, but could still be followed. However, humans hadn't been here for a long time.

Another thing they had left behind was a building called the Main Lodge. It had solar conductors on the roof, which provided good power for the stray Electric types that survived only on that food source. The solar conductors also powered an intercom system, through which any sound played in the control room could be heard for miles around. It had provided a novelty for young Pokemon when the control room was first broken into, but was primarily used by the two Guardians of the woods.

Unfortunately, the sound system led to a civil war.

During the day, Ludicolo was Guardian. He was a bright and cheerful Pokemon. He loved high-energy festive music, and there were a dozen CDs of samba, salsa, mambo, and polka that he adored. He would then dance his way merrily through his patrols, calling out greetings to others and making sure nobody littered. The daytime Pokemon liked their Guardian in the same way they liked his music: they either enjoyed it or learned to tolerate it.

But when the sun began to set, the festive music abruptly ended. Ludicolo would rush to the Main Lodge and call out, "What was that for? That was the best music ever and you interrupted it for your boring slow songs."

The Night Guardian Shiftry shook her head. "Your music is a pain and so are you." She would then slash her fanned leaf arms at the air, sending an intense gust of wind at him. He would tumble back into one of the pine trees, then get up and grumble off to bed.

During the night, Shiftry protected the forest. She was a quiet and somber Pokemon. She loved music that touched the soul, and there were a dozen CDs of blues, soft jazz, meditative chants, and soul that she adored. She would then quietly go through her patrols, telling others of her reflective meditations and breaking up any arguments. The nighttime Pokemon liked her, but thought she was a bit spooky and that her music wasn't a good background for battles.

But when the sun began to rise, the gentle music abruptly ended. Shiftry would appear by the Main Lodge and call out, "Your music is too disruptive. Nobody can think properly with that racket going on."

The Day Guardian Ludicolo would stick his tongue out at her. "Your music is boring and so are you." He would then strike her with a blast of water, which invariably messed up her carefully arranged leaves and hair. She would then slip off and grumble her way to bed.

Over time, the twice daily arguments got louder and longer. Shiftry would try to be at the Main Lodge before dawn so that she could sneak attack Ludicolo before he changed the music, but then he would come in through the window. He would try to disturb her nest so that she slept longer, but then she would already be gone. They even tried using the sound system itself to discourage the other, calling out insults or challenges.

Then the battles spread down to their younger cousins. The Lotads and Lombres followed Luidcolo and declared that the daytime music was better. The Seedots and Nuzleaves went with Shiftry and argued that the nighttime music was better. These ones would fight each other upon sight, often disrupting other Pokemon.

And then the battles spread to others in Zamastil. Weedle fought Caterpie, Geodude fought Nosepass, Bellsprout fought Oddish, Zubat fought Taillow. Some species even fought within their own group when two individuals preferred different music styles. During this, the shy kinds, like Abra and Ditto, went into deeper hiding to avoid all the fighting.

Finally, it got to be too much. In one terrible battle, both Shiftry and Ludicolo fell unconscious, leaving the forest without an able Guardian. During this time, a particularly brave Ditto snuck into the control room and made an announcement. "The wise and considerate Elder Venusaur sends me with a challenge: a week from now, Ludicolo and Shiftry are to have a dance contest to see whose music is better. Until then, she decrees that there will be no fighting and no music."

And since nobody wanted to argue with Elder Venusaur, the Zamastil Wilderness was silent for one week.

Then came the fateful evening. Elder Venusaur arrived early to make sure everything would be fair. She was one of the oldest and wisest creatures in the woods, yet the crimson and yellow flower growing from her back was still bright and soft. She didn't move around much these days, so a great many young Pokemon came to see her as much as they came to see the contest.

Ludicolo was there. He had brushed out the yellow-green fur on his body and polished up his colorful sombrero. Being naturally energetic, he shifted about and paced while waiting on the contest to start.

Shiftry was there. She had carefully dusted over her leaves so that there was no dirt in them and brushed out her long white hair to be graceful. Patient, she sat on a log bench and checked her red-brown skin to make sure the sheen was still uniform.

Venusaur ruffled her fern-like leaves, causing the gathered crowd to hush. "I want no booing or disruptive actions from anyone," she told all that were there.

The crowd of Pokemon nodded in agreement.

"As for you both, you will have one song to dance to. A Kadabra is already in the control room, ready to play the CDs for you. The songs will be of equal length, so it is up to your dancing alone to decide which kind of music is best. Who shall go first?"

Shiftry glanced suspiciously at her peer.

Ludicolo made an overzealous bow. "I will allow the lady to go first."

"I thank you for being so gracious," she replied, although the tones they used showed no graciousness.

"Then let's begin," Venusaur said.

When the music began, Shiftry was pleased that Kadabra had picked one of her special favorites, an elegant jazz piece with a reminiscing saxophone and a plaintive piano. She danced with her soul, using gentle twirls and beautiful leaf swirls to express her love for this music. It was very touching. Even Ludicolo was reminded of the quiet tender moments of his life that brightened his soul when all else seemed dark.

At the end of her dance, the audience clapped, rustled, buzzed, or cheered in approval. Or just politeness in a few cases. Shiftry smiled and gave a bow, feeling confident that she had passed on her love of her music.

"That was beautiful," Venusaur said. "Now, it is your turn."

"All right, Elder," he replied. He felt nervous to be going after that flawless performance. But if he did not succeed here, then his music might be banned and life would become dismal. He prepared to show off his best moves.

Thankfully, the Kadabra picked one of his absolute favorites, an animated polka with a joyous accordion that never failed to boost his mood. He danced with his heart, using spinning jumps and a righteous boogie to express his love for his music. It was invigorating. Even Shiftry felt elated and festive as she watched her peer dance about with no inhibitions.

At the end of his dance, the audience all cheered and whistled, ready for a party. Ludicolo smiled and made an exuberant twirl for them. Shiftry felt worried, because he had put everyone in a good mood that did not agree with quiet moments.

"That was thrilling," Venusaur said. "Now, give me a few minutes to consider this." She closed her eyes and would not be bothered by anyone.

The Kadabra appeared in the crowd as various Pokemon discussed which dance they liked better. "Don't forget your duties," he quietly reminded the Guardians.

Agreeing with that, Shiftry and Ludicolo walked among the crowd and made sure none of the discussions broke into arguments. They knew Venusaur did not like being interrupted when she was thinking. And neither wanted to lose because of that.

After a long wait in which the night completely overtook the evening, Venusaur opened her eyes and rustled her leaves. "I have made my decision."

Everyone paid attention in earnest.

"Shiftry's music is ideal for the night: contemplative, meditative, and somber. Ludicolo's music is ideal for the day: active, bright, and cheerful. Therefore, each should play at those times, not the other."

"But what about evenings and mornings?" Ludicolo asked.

"Those are always the times we argue over," Shiftry added.

The Elder nodded. "The evenings and mornings. These should be times of silence, in respect for the passing of the old, and in awe of the coming of the new. And thus it will be."

And thus the Zamastil Wilderness had festive music for the day, elegant music for the night, and silence for the morning and evenings. With that, the battles lessened and peace returned.

That is, until a Mankey discovered how to work the zip cord lines.

…

Ludicolo Emerald entry: When it hears festive music, all the cells in its body become stimulated, and it begins moving in rhythm. It does not quail even when it faces a tough opponent.

Sapphire entry: Shiftry's large fans generate awesome gusts of wind at a speed close to 100 feet per second. The whipped-up wind blows anything away. This Pokemon chooses to live quietly deep in forests.

I like all sorts of music. That last line still makes me snicker.