Session 50, VP1

The morning sun roused our heroes to a blustery day. After bidding farewell to the lumberjacks, they determined to explore the southern-most mountain of Skald’s Echo. Roughly half-way to the peak, the group heard some odd sounds coming from a rocky alcove nearby.

 

Investigating led them to a small group of wild Pokemon. Something was clearly wrong with the poor creatures: a fuzzy moss covered large parts of their bodies, & their eyes seemed glazed over to blindness. The sounds were from the Pokemon groaning as they bumped into their surroundings.

 

None of the three trainers had seen anything like this before. Bergie began to perform some basic medical checks on the patients. He was able to confirm the Pokemon were unable to see, & that the moss was not harming them directly. It almost seemed like it was adding a Grass Type to them…

 

Before he could follow this train of thought much further, Takeru scrubbed some of the moss away from an infected Spoink. It came off without causing any harm. As he watched, the moss almost immediately began to grow in again- though at a slow pace. More concerning was the fact that now his own hand had begun to itch.

 

The moss was contagious. Worse, it could transfer from Pokemon to human. As Gunnar helped Takeru corral the wilds safely, Bergie called Eplina on his Pokedex. She answered after only a few rings. His friends watched Bergie stammer his way through the conversation, until he hung up & turned to face them.

 

The healer had been able to relay several bits of important information. First, she suggested catching the Pokemon until they could be healed & released. Second, she was fairly certain of the root cause: a massive, dead tree had sprung up seemingly overnight in the forest of Brynhilde’s Copse. Creatures all throughout the woods were now showing the same symptoms as the Pokemon our heroes had encountered. Third, the only thing to slow the infection so far was mass application of aloe.

 

A few people from Streamsford had trekked over to examine the tree but had not reported back as of yet. With this knowledge, the party decided to see what vantage the nearby peak would offer. They caught the wilds without difficulty & continued on their way up. Some scavenging found them a handful of aloe leaves- enough for one person over three or so days, perhaps.

 

From on high, they could actually see the crown of the invasive tree, some miles distant. They didn’t know how time-sensitive this matter might be. Should they set themselves upon it, or wait until after the Tyr Temple’s concert?

 

Bergie & Takeru would be fine missing the event if absolutely required, but Saffa was clearly expecting Gunnar to support her performance. It was decided that the trio would ride out atop steeds with all haste to the tree. If they rode hard, they could reach it by nightfall. That would leave them with a day’s time to trek back to the concert. If it came to it, Gunnar could leave earlier than his friends.

 

So set, they rushed down the mountain to the fields. The group ignored all sounds of wildlife as they raced to the forest. As planned, they managed to reach the edge of Brynhilde’s Copse at sunset. The looming tree appeared to be only another hour or so inwards- though they would need to dismount.

 

Once the base of the tree came into sight, our heroes found themselves ambushed by several infected wilds. Gunnar had wisely donned his desert clothing, which minimized his exposed skin, but the others had no such protection. Over the course of the quick & brutal fight, moss had begun to cover both Bergie & Takeru.

 

While his companions applied the aloe to their infections, Gunnar scouted ahead. He was able to spot four people by the tree. Two of them seemed fine, but the other two were being tended to for severe moss affliction. Not thinking of how this might be received, the Ninja crept up behind one of the hale men before announcing his presence.

 

One heart attack later, Gunnar was caught up to speed. These were the men from Streamsford. The two of them covered in moss had tried touching the tree itself. One of these men had his entire face practically occluded by the greenery. The sounds hooting from overhead interrupted the discussion periodically- Pokemon protecting the tree, perhaps?

 

Gunnar fetched his allies to join the group. While everyone discussed options of how to resolve this issue, the moss-enveloped man mumbled something in terror. His companions only rolled their eyes, but the party was curious as to what he might be saying. Working together, Bergie & Takeru used the last of their aloe to clean his face.

 

When his mouth was freed, he thanked them repeatedly before clarifying what he had tried to say: when he scouted ahead from the others & touched the tree, he was approached by…something. A horrifying, dread figure that seemed to walk from the tree’s own bark. He described it as a mounted horseman- with no head!

 

It was clear the other Streamsford folk didn’t lend much credit to this, but the trainers had seen many oddities on their travels. They had no reason to doubt the man’s fearful story. And so, Gunnar released Mary & leapt atop her back.

 

“You there, horseman of the tree! Come out & face us!” he yelled defiantly. They did not have to wait long for an answer.

 

Fog began to drift up from the tree’s roots. The chill pooled around their ankles, as hoofbeats began to echo from another plane. Three infected owls- evolutions of Adaptstrix- swooped down to greet the rider who bust forth from the tree.

 

Against them stood a spectral horse, practically translucent in the moonlight. The white figure astride it was thin & humanoid. In place of a head, there appeared to be four curving prongs, cradling emptiness. What in Helheim was this?!

 

The creature came to a stop once it was fully removed from the tree. A closer look revealed at least one comforting fact: the horseman was not headless. His head & face were so small that they had appeared to be part of his torso. The prongs seemed reminiscent of the head on a ring, made to hold something precious. Something, clearly, that was missing.

 

A Pokedex scan confirmed the identity of the horseman as Calyrex, while his steed was Spectrier. Usually, Calyrex carried a sort of “plant jewel bud” atop its head. Its missing crown seemed to have enraged the Pokemon greatly. It let out a chittering cry, lowered a ghostly lance, & charged.

 

Gunnar & Mary met Calyrex’s rush with one of their own, as Takeru & Bergie focused on the owls. Having faced their kind before, the birds proved to be of little trouble. The same could not be said for the leader of the pack; Calyrex began peppering the entire area with globs of spectral energy fired from its lance.

 

The battle became more pitched once the horseman stood alone on the field, for all was not as it appeared. From whence had come the tree? Calyrex would not tell…but he did waken it to anger. The blighted trunk split as glowing red eyes ignited amongst the splinters. This gargantuan tree was actually a Trevenant!

 

Bergie swapped out George the Arcanine, while Takeru released Baconator the Sizzlipede. They bore down on the now-mobile tree with all the fire they could muster. Though they hit with powerful moves, their foe continued on undeterred. Each swipe of its powerful limbs threatened to crush everything on the battlefield.

 

Takeru cried out, cheering for Baconator to give it his all. The centipede tucked himself into a ball of flaming defiance. The fires burned so bright, Takeru had to shield his eyes from the sight. Baconator spun like a keen blade before shredding a line up the Trevenant’s hide.

 

When the Pokemon landed gracefully on the forest floor, his glow intensified greatly. Baconator let out a proud cry…& when the light died down, Takeru could see that he’d evolved!

 

The tree taken care of, only the horseman remained. Gunnar was able to unseat him with the Gible Dagger. He & Mary pressed the regal Pokemon unrelentingly. The Spectrier had grown fearful & wild without its master, running roughshod.

 

Bergie recalled George. With open hands, he slowly approached the frightened horse. Not just his hushed words, but his entire being radiated a soothing calm. The whinnies & whickers slowly quieted. Unafraid- or simply masterful at masking it- Bergie extended his palm gently forwards.

 

There was a pause, a moment of silence between the two. And lo, Spectrier leaned its nose forward to press against Bergie’s hand.

 

Gunnar swept a hand across the battlefield, showing the Calyrex how the chips now lay. Even finding itself bereft of allies would not deter the would-be king. Calyrex rose to strike at the Martial Artist one more time…only to be quickly stomped into the dirt by Mary.

 

The dust settled. Bergie fed Spectrier some dried fruits while Takeru told Baconator how proud he was. The redness of the berserker rage finally left Calyrex’s eyes.

 

It got to its feet wearily, sending our heroes telepathic vision of apology. Apparently, it had lost its “crown jewel” while crossing the ocean. A rogue wave had nearly drowned horse & rider as they had neared the Vanachromian coast. They had lived, but with Calyrex greatly diminished. Free of its rage, it merely longed for a replacement.

 

The group debated several ideas. Unfortunately, they had not brought any grass Pokemon with them- otherwise they could grow some sort of plant to fill in. It was eventually decided that Skeldr could craft a crystalline rock. He & Gunnar could then hew it down to a gem-like façade.

 

When the task was finished, Calyrex mounted his steed & lowered his head towards the Martial Artist. Gunnar, straining, hefted the gem into place. Calyrex wobbled slightly as he righted himself. After only a moment’s consideration, he approved! It weighed significantly more than his previous one, but heavy is the head that wears the crown.

 

In thanks, the King Pokemon reverted the Trevenant to its original form. This caused all of the infectious moss to crumble into nothing. His job complete, Calyrex began to slowly ride away.

 

The trainers debated what to do: Bergie wished to head onwards to Streamsford, to let Eplina know the issue had been resolved. Gunnar & Takeru were eager to return to the Tyr Temple so they wouldn’t miss the show. The pair were upset that their friend wouldn’t be able to join them. They floated the idea of Bergie getting Eplina to come along, but he would never be able to get back in time after picking her up. Unless…

 

“Wait!” Takeru called out to the barely visible horseman. “We have a favor to ask!” There was no verbal or mental response. Calyrex merely turned his head slightly, to look back over his shoulder.

 

Takeru explained to the High King that Bergie was going to miss a wonderous musical performance to visit the woman he pined for. Perhaps, if the King saw it within his heart, he could aid one of his subjects in this quest of love. Bergie possessed no mount capable of carrying him fast enough. But surely, surely, such a distance would be nothing to a steed as wonderous as Spectrier.

 

Calyrex kept his thoughts to himself on the matter. What would the foibles of his subjects mean to one such as him?

 

The answer was evidently “enough”.

 

With a magnanimous bearing, the horseman reared Spectrier around. He slowly phased to the ground through his spectral steed. Gunnar helped Bergie get atop the horse as the group all thanked their monarch. Calyrex simply waved his hand as if to say “oh, it is nothing”. Before his friends could mount up for their own journey, Bergie was carried away on Spectrier, like a leaf in the wind. After a beat, Gunnar turned to Calyrex to ask if he wanted to see a concert in the meantime.

 

Riding a ghostly horse was a strange experience in many ways. The worst though was how it traveled in a straight line, even if this meant phasing them both through whatever object lie in their path. Bergie had never before wondered what the inside of a tree looked like- & now he would never forget it.

 

He arrived at Streamsford shortly after most townsfolk had gone to sleep. Strange fairy lights drifted across the surface of Iokul Lake. Was it Bergie’s imagination, or did some of them seem to point to a specific house? The Breeder guided his horse to the cabin. Lights were still on within.

 

Here, Bergie hesitated. What if this wasn’t Eplina’s house? What if it was? Would she be happy to see him? The trainer may have stayed anchored to that spot in paralysis for hours considering things. Thankfully, Spectrier took matters into his own hooves.

 

Ass he had with the trees, the horse walked straight forward, phasing them through the cabin’s walls. Eplina stood within. She had been in the middle of pouring out some food for Jokull but now stood frozen in shock. The cat food continued flowing, burying the excited Rivukitt, who did not seem to mind.

 

Stumblingly at first, Bergie explained what had happened with the tree. (After apologizing for his odd form of entry first.) Jokull popped his head out of the mountain of food & began taking large mouthfuls. Politely, Eplina asked why Bergie had decided to come here straight away- wouldn’t a call have sufficed?

 

This was it. The moment Bergie had been psyching himself up for the entire ride. How best to play it? What smooth words could help here?

 

In the end, he followed his heart. With a broad, warm grin, Bergie simply asked her to come with him to a celebration of music, friends, & hope. None can say what Eplina saw as she studied Bergie’s face in that moment. Whatever it was, it caused her to wear a small smile of her own…as she agreed.

 

The next evening, Takeru & Gunnar joined the members of the Tyr Temple as they filtered into the rocky amphitheater. Besides the blacksmiths, several travelers were gathering there as well: a variety of bards from across the country. Gunnar & Skeldr spent a few minutes crafting a suitable throne for Calyrex, who bowed his head to them.

 

Moonlight filled the rocky bowl as a hush began to settle. Just as the trainers were worried their friend wouldn’t make it, Bergie & Eplina arrived atop Spectrier. They sat next to one another, with Jokull in Eplina’s lap.

 

One by one, guided solely by their own rhythms, the various bards moved to the stage to perform. Hervör explained that their “guest of honor” would appear when the moon reached its highest point. A discordant jangling announced Saffa’s arrival only minutes beforehand. She gave Gunnar a kiss on the cheek for luck, then went onstage.

 

Some time ago, Gunnar had spoken deeply with Saffa. Told her of how she may have been trying to juggle too many things at one time. If she were to pare down her energy, focus it on just one thing at a time, it was possible she would surprise even herself with the results.

 

Little had been said on that matter since. Yet, it was apparent Saffa had listened. Rather than utilize every part of her Rabbscuttle at once, she instead began playing a measure on one single instrument. When this piece had finished, she segued directly into another instrument, & another. Saffa only played one at a time, but wove them together into one larger story.

 

As she played, something strange began to happen. Several of the rocky seats in the amphitheater began to tremble. Small Kabuto fossils pushed their way free to the surface. Under the sway of the music, each lost their rocky pallor, coming back to life. The confused Pokemon scuttled around the equally-confused audience until Saffa’s song ended.

 

The crowd applauded loudly for her. Surprisingly, this seemed to embarrass Saffa a bit; she all but ran to sit back down next to Gunnar.

 

For the next few heartbeats, there was a bubble of quiet. Sensing a shift in the heavens, Hervör began to beat on a tambourine. The rest of the blacksmiths joined her with their own instruments.

 

Takeru pulled out a pair of drumsticks his mother had forged for him many years ago & began to mash out a beat on the rock. Hervör saw the drumsticks & froze. She remarked that it was good to see her son still carried the drumsticks, the barest hint of a crack in her voice. Lest further words betray her, she placed a pantam drum before him.

 

In the heavens, the moon reached its apex. The glow trickling down began to concentrate upon the stage like a spotlight. Whirling around itself, music notes became visible within, music notes that finally, with a symphonic crash, solidified into the form of the Melody Pokemon: Meloetta!

 

She began to sing, gracefully spinning around the amphitheater. As she moved, her hair began to shift colors, alternating between green & orange.

 

The audience all joined in with her tune as best they could. Some played instruments, while others sang. Some, like Bergie & Eplina, merely hummed along to the music. (And others, like Jokull, meowed through it.)

 

It was impossible to tell how long Meloetta’s performance lasted, how many hours the impromptu orchestra kept her aloft within the ballad. But in time, even this moment of peace reached its end.

 

Meloetta’s clarion voice carried higher & higher, wending towards the inevitable crescendo. There was a moment, one single second, where all the other sounds stopped & her voice alone remained. The next breath, the sun was rising above the horizon, as that final note seemed to linger like a parent’s kiss on the forehead just before bed.

 

Slowly, those gathered began to dissipate. Eventually, Calyrex once more mounted Spectrier. He nodded his head to his subjects (Friends?), before riding off into the sky. The only people remaining were our heroes & their group.

 

Hervör sat with her hand on Takeru’s shoulder, watching the dawn break. Gunnar raved to Saffa about how good her song had been. Where had she learned to revive the dead like that? She clearly had no idea.

 

Jokull lay curled into a ball on Bergie’s lap. Eplina’s gaze lingered on the now-empty stage. She turned her head towards Bergie, that smile from her home still there on her lips.

 

“Thank you Bergie,” she said in a hushed voice. “That was…beautiful.”

 

And the sun shone out all the brighter.