Episode 12: Going Down Under! The Mythical Meloetta!
After doing some training with Poli'ahu and Maui, the trio were off to their next destination. One flight over the Pacific later, and soon they were in the city of Sydney, the most well-known city of Australia. The Australian Pokémon League itself was infamous for its brutal nature, asking Trainers to brave the outback and face powerful Totem Pokémon within a year's time to become part of the league. It tested both Trainer and Pokémon on their survival skills as much as it did their battling skills.
Luckily for our heroes, they only had to stay in Sydney for their journey today. "Maybe I'll come back here after I win the World Tournament," Ashton boasted. "Taking on one of the toughest Leagues would actually be a challenge."
"Oh, speaking of the future, I think I want to try out one of the Battle Frontiers," Kris said. "Once I get a full team, trying out different battle types with them would be a great learning opportunity."
"Ugh, don't remind me of the Battle Frontier," Ashton groaned. "I went to the Hoenn Battle Frontier one summer, and that was a nightmare to deal with."
Dylan looked at his friend funny. "Hoenn doesn't have a Battle Frontier. That's still under construction as far as I remember."
"Well, where I come from, there is one over there," Ashton said.
Kris was the one giving Ashton funny looks now. "What do you mean by 'where I come from?'"
"Ashton claims that she's from another world," Dylan sighed. "When we were kids, she told me that she came from space."
"Ultra Space," Ashton corrected.
"Where those weird Ultra Beasts are from?" Kris said. "Hm… My mentor has little research in that area, but I doubt that humans could survive out in those places."
"Hey, believe it or not, but that's where I come from," Ashton said.
Kris and Dylan looked at each other and shrugged. "That's Ashton for you," they said.
Look, over there! Aurora called. The group turned to the Lucario as she pointed to a nearby poster. A special event for World Tournament Trainers. Come and see the Magnificent Meloetta as she performs her world-famous Relic Song at the Sydney Opera House.
"A Mythical Pokémon performing for humans…" Kris pondered. "It's rare to see a Pokémon get top billing for events like these, much less one with such a legendary status."
"How the heck are they not expecting any person with a Poké Ball to just try and catch Meloetta?" Ashton asked.
"Oh, I know this one," Dylan explained. "During my own training, I learned that Legendary Pokémon don't just let anyone catch them. You have to be chosen by the Pokémon in order to have the right to catch them, and even then, you only have the Pokémon in spirit."
"I don't get it," Ashton said.
"Think of like this," Dylan elaborated. "It would be dumb if any ten-year-old could just go up and catch Arceus, right? Instead, a Trainer that Arceus chooses will have Arceus registered to a Poké Ball, but Arceus will still be able to go about its normal duties. Whatever comes out of the ball for battle is basically a really realistic illusion."
"Oh, I get it," Kris said. "That's how you can have multiple people with, say, Ho-Oh even though there's only one Ho-Oh in existence."
"Right," Dylan nodded. "The only exceptions to that rule would be Mewtwo, the Regi Trio, and Genesect, since there have been confirmed multiple sightings of each."
"Okay, enough of the history lesson," Ashton interrupted. "Are we going to go to this opera or not?"
Of course, Aurora said. It will be most enlightening to hear the Relic Song.
[***]
After registering for their tickets and getting used to the Australian culture, the trio were ready for a night at the Sydney Opera House. Despite the fancy nature of the place, the entire venue was set up more like a regular concert, with many Meloetta fans in the crowd cheering her name. Ashton wasn't into J-Pop (Metal was more her speed), but Dylan and Aurora were more interested in seeing the Melody Pokémon perform on-stage.
"Wow, there's a large crowd here," Kris said. Sera agreed, jumping on top of Kris' head so that the Eevee could get a better look.
Joker, pay attention to the performance, Aurora instructed the Pidove. Despite her being a singer, Meloetta can fight with her music as much as she can Charm the audience.
"Clefairy!" Halley cheered, waggling her fingers in the air.
"At least someone will be enjoying this," Ashton rolled her eyes.
"What do you have against Meloetta?" Kris asked.
"I've got nothing against the Pokémon, just the music," Ashton said. "It's too cutesy for me. If you want a Japanese Pokémon music artist for me, give me BABYMETAL any day."
"That's the J-Pop group with the fox theme, right?" Kris asked Dylan.
The boy hummed. "I think so. Ashton showed me one of their songs once. I was surprised to see idol girls do Metal, honestly. The pyrotechnics from their Ninetails and Braixens were something else, though."
When the crowd started to get louder, the trio turned to look up at the stage as the lights centered. Floating down from off-stage came Meloetta, who waved to her fans as she did a twirl in midair. The Melody Pokémon blew a kiss to the audience, then giggled before performing a bow.
"Hello everyone!" Meloetta greeted. Despite her words coming out in Japanese, her Telepathy allowed the English-speaking crowd to perfectly understand her. "I'm so excited to be performing for you here in Sydney!"
"We love you, Meloetta!" a fan cried out.
"And I love all my fans out there too!" she giggled. "For tonight's performance, let's start with a favorite of mine! I hope you all enjoy!"
The music began, and soon Meloetta floated to the center of the stage to start her song.
(Song: "Feel" from "Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE" as performed by Tsubasa Oribe)
(English Lyrics provided by me)
It doesn't matter when
I just need you to feel again
All these emotions
With a combination of special effects and Psychic powers, the stage transformed into a sky above a field of flowers and clouds.
On wings I fly through the sky
To make my song last
Forever, ever, and ever for you
Bird Pokémon flew around Meloetta as she sang.
Feel my voice
No matter where you are
Meloetta adjusted her microphone and waved a hand over her head.
Feel my soul
I want to keep singing for you
The Melody Pokémon blew a kiss to one of her backup dancers.
Feel my heart
I won't give up my dream
Or the world beyond my reality
Meloetta brought her hands to her chest, then brought them out to the audience.
I knocked on the door
When I thought I'd tossed out the key
Kris watched as Meloetta danced, the blue-haired girl feeling the music. As the song resonated with her, Kris began to see something else: herself standing alongside Alpha inside of a burned building, with the Legendary Beasts in front of them.
"What's this…?" Kris asked herself.
And waiting in store
I found another side of me
With a spin, Meloetta changed from her Aria form to Pirouette, smiling as the crowd cheered.
It doesn't matter when
I just need you to feel again
All these emotions
Now that she was in her dancing form, Meloetta's performance became more energetic, though her singing was still on-point.
On wings I fly through the sky
To take me back to you
Meloetta smiled as she blew more kisses to the crowd.
It doesn't matter what
If it's your dream, I know it will come true!
The Melody Pokémon let off a Psychic pulse that sent a sparkling effect over the audience.
Hearts beating fast, as long as it lasts, I know
I'll make my song last forever, ever, and ever for you
She spun around again, her dress flowing in an invisible wind as she did so.
Feel my smile
Reflected in your eyes
Meloetta gestured to her eyes and winked.
Feel my love
It's beating there inside your chest
She then did a heart-pounding motion, with heart symbols being projected around her.
Feel my beat
Connecting me to you
The pulse that tells you that my love is true
Meloetta then did a quick four-step dance, bringing a hand down from the sky before drawing a heart shape in front of her with energy.
This dazzling season
Stay with me like a memory
While she wouldn't admit it, Ashton was starting to get a feel for the song. Soon, she had her own vision like Kris did: she was in a mysterious village, Vulcan with her as they faced down a Hydreigon.
"What, is that…?" Ashton mumbled.
And I will go on
Singing this song all for you
With another spin, Meloetta was back in her Aria form, smiling the whole time.
It doesn't matter when
I just need you to feel again
All these emotions
I won't ever be afraid
Of any headwind in my way
One of the bird Pokémon used Tailwind, sending a breeze that blew Meloetta's hair like a fan.
And now that I believe
That I can fly higher than ever before
Sending out music notes, the Melody Pokémon sent the bubbles out to hover over the crowd, popping in time with the music.
I'll just be myself, and no one else
So my song can last on
Forever, ever, and ever for you
Affirming her identity, Meloetta let her backup dancers have a beat while she readied herself for the final act.
(Feel my voice, feel my voice, feel my voice)
(Feel my song, feel my song, feel my song)
(Feel my heart, feel my heart, feel my heart)
Floating into the air, Meloetta used Double Team, creating a copy of herself that was in Pirouette form while she remained in Aria.
No matter how hard the road may be
There's no turning back for me
I want, you to see, all of me
And the sides you've yet to find
The two Meloettas sang together, with people pulling out glowsticks (provided for the show) to add their own light to the performance.
I want you closer now
I just need you to feel again
All these emotions
Even if I'm against the wind
I won't let it stop me now!
Now it was Dylan's turn for a vision: he saw himself standing in a city, where a mysterious Pokémon faced him alongside Aurora.
"What am I seeing…?" he asked.
You see it too…? Aurora questioned.
It doesn't matter when
I just want you to feel again
All these emotions
On wings I fly through the sky
To take me back to you
The two Meloettas danced together as well, being in sync as they closed out the song.
It doesn't matter what
If it's your dream I know it will come true!
Hearts beating fast, as long as it lasts, I know
I'll make my song last forever, ever, and ever for you
With a final spin, Meloetta ended her performance, the crowd cheering for their idol as she laughed and bowed.
"I'm glad you all enjoyed that!" she cheered. "May all of your dreams come true! Now then, let the concert continue!"
[***]
When the time came, the trio exited the opera house, glad that they had the chance to see the Mythical Pokémon perform. Dylan had picked up an album for them to listen to on the road, while Kris filled out a report and Dex entry for her mentor. Ashton wasn't going to get anything, but Halley insisted on having a hairpin based around the Melody Pokémon's Aria form, which now hung around the Clefairy's ear.
"That was something else," Dylan said. "Now I want to go to more concerts."
It was a unique experience, Aurora noted. Though I wonder what the vision I saw was.
"Wait, you had visions too?" Ashton said. "I saw myself back in my hometown fighting a Hydreigon."
"I saw the Beasts in the Burned Tower," Kris said.
"We saw the same thing: a storm in a city with an unknown Pokémon," Dylan noted.
"So, you all have been enlightened by Meloetta's song," came a voice. The trio turned to see a girl with black hair and a Gothic Lolita. She bowed and introduced herself. "My name is Marley, and I'm actually a Gym Leader here in Sydney. I'm also a big fan of Mythical Pokémon, though my favorite is Shaymin."
"Nice to meet you, Marley," Dylan shook her hand. "I'm Dylan, and these are my friends Ashton and Kris. Now, what was that about 'enlightenment?'"
"Yes, Meloetta's song is known to control the emotions of those that listen," Marley explained. "However, it can also grant visions of the near-future to Trainers of a pure heart, or those that have a greater destiny."
"Would being tied to Legendary Pokémon count?" Kris asked. "In both mine and Dylan's visions, we both saw a Legendary Pokémon, or at least an uncommon one."
"Where does that leave me? I'm definitely not pure of heart," Ashton smirked.
Marley hummed. "Arceus works in mysterious ways. Perhaps those Pokémon will guide you in some way. As for Ashton, your vision may be more tied to an event that is important to you, though you may not know it yet."
Either way, thank you for telling us this, Aurora said.
"It's my pleasure," Marley smiled.
"You know Marley, you did say that you're a Gym Leader, right?" Dylan asked. "How about we have a Gym Battle tomorrow, then?"
"A promise it is, then," Marley nodded.
With visions still floating in their heads and a challenge being set, the group departed for sleep and the upcoming battle for tomorrow.
Author's Note
Welcome to Australia, the one place on Earth infamous for its insane wildlife! We should get a game based on this contient some day, as I can just imagine all the crazy 'mons we could get.
I love Meloetta, especially her backstory and her arc from the anime. You can't tell me a Pokémon like that wouldn't be a pop star in the real world. Ashton's preference of music is a shout-out to my friend Azakael's favorite type of music, that being metal. BABYMETAL is also a real-life Japanese Metal Idol group, with the Ninetails being a reference to the group's motif of foxes.
Marley is one of the 'Stat Trainers' from Diamond/Pearl/Platinum, where she has a story about wanting to meet Shaymin. It was really cool to get to team-up with her and the other trainers in the game, so I had to call them out here. Fingers crossed for Diamond/Pearl remakes this year.