Sacred Summer - Summer 2013 Contest

"Mother, why haven't they ever fixed the Burned Tower?" 

"I don't know sweetie, it was such a long time ago. Maybe it serves as a memory, an homage to the three Pokemon who died here but were brought back to life."

The answer my mother gave was satisfying enough to stop any further questioning. All the same, I couldn't help but look up to the sky as my eyes darted past the top of the Burned Tower, as if expecting the rest of it to magically be there. It burnt down long ago, set alight in the most horrific thunderstorm our city had ever seen, in a fire that lasted 3 days. Then, a mysterious sudden downpour put out the raging flames. It once stood as high as the other tower to the east, which was now known as a Bell Tower. Looking at the burnt structure in front of me, and then to the wondrous structure in the distance to the east, I couldn't help but imagine what it would have been like to see the two towers together when they both were intact.

"All the same," my mother continued, "the summer solstice will soon be upon us. And you know what that means."

"Ho-Oh's coming to visit!" I jumped up and down excitedly as the realization dawned on me. Ho-Oh was a bird creature with mythical power, considered to sacred to the people of our city. He once perched at the top of Bell Tower but when Bell's twin burned down and three Pokemon who were trapped in the flames died, Ho-Oh brought the three Pokemon who died back to life before flying away from Bell Tower, making its home in the skies. One day a young trainer from New Bark Town successfully summoned Ho-Oh back to the tower, on the longest day of summer. Every year on the same day, in celebration, a ceremony is held at the top of Bell Tower, where music is played and decorations of all the colors of the rainbow are adorned on the tower. This was supposed to attract Ho-Oh to visit the city, as the legends say that Ho-Oh's visit is a good omen for life and prosperity.

My mother sighed at my excitement however. "Now, now," she warned "don't get your hopes up too high, Ho-Oh isn't always able to visit us."

"But then what will that mean?" I pondered aloud, saddened at the thought of a year without Ho-Oh's blessing. "Will we have a bad year if that happens?"

"No, no, of course not!" My mother reassured me, pulling me into a hug. "We've had years before where Ho-Oh hasn't visited and nothing worse than usual has ever happened, it just means he's far away, flying on the other side of the world." 

"I really hope he does visit this time though." I confessed, with the tiniest glint of hope in my eyes. All the other times he had come I had been either too young to remember or indeed too young to enter the tower. Now 14 years old, I was finally old enough to enter; I could finally see Ho-Oh from close by.

Mother took a moment to adjust the feather in her long red hair, she told me she'd received the feather as a gift a long time ago from an old friend and that it was said to belong to Ho-Oh. The sunshine reflected off of it in the colours of the rainbow, making the touted origin quite believable.

"Either way, it's not for another few days. Why don't we go take a walk on Route 37? The blooms are out in full and we can see lots of Pokemon, what do you say?" she suggested, to which I nodded and we made our way to the southern city gate.

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The next few days passed without too much incident. I could just about see from my bedroom window in the distance, that they were starting to put the decorations on Bell Tower, growing more numerous as the days went on. The colours captivated my eyes as they reflected in the blazing summer sunshine, making me even more excited for the big day. I could even hear the distant buzzing of Yanma in the air, likely flying away from another trainer trying to catch them. One even shot straight past my window, only to indeed be followed by a trainer's cry of "Ampharos, use discharge!", a jolt of electricity through the air and the sound of a Pokeball closing. It sounded like one trainer was happy at least. With that, I stepped away from the window and went to sip some tea with mother.

Before I knew it, there I was waking up on the longest day of summer. The sun was already there to greet me as I woke up and sat up in my bed. Before I even got a chance to think, I heard my mother's shout from downstairs, she must have heard me wake up.

"Helga, come on now, get ready and let's go, or we're going to be late."

I looked at the clock, yikes, it was 9:30! I entered mild panic mode as I jumped out of bed and started getting ready. The celebrations started at 10:15 and Bell tower was a good fifteen minute walk away, without counting how long it takes to climb the stairs all the way to the top. As today was a celebration day, I had to wear formal dress, a kimono. I was always terrible at putting them on; I was never able to tie the sash behind my back. I fumbled and failed with it for a few minutes before I heard my mother's chuckle behind me as she came to help.

"You know, most women my age don't even know how to properly put on a kimono at all, let alone girls like you. You've done quite well, now let me just get the rest for you," my mother said as I felt the sash tighten around my waist.

"There we go, all ready to go out, wouldn't you say?" She smiled as she turned me to face the mirror in my room. She had picked out the kimono herself, dyed in the colours of the rising sun, but she also told me was just a rental as they were very expensive to buy. I smiled and nodded at her.

"Very good. Now let's head on out or we really will be late," she reminded me as we rushed downstairs and out the door. As we started the long trek towards bell tower I heard my stomach start to rumble and started to regret having an accidental lie-in at the expense of breakfast. I pushed the thought aside, reminding myself there would probably be food at the celebration.

Thankfully, it wasn't too long before we reached gateway that guarded the entrance to Bellchime Trail, the passageway that led to the tower. As we entered, the three sages of the gateway greeted us with a bow. "Enjoy yourself at this sacred celebration," they said in unison, at which point mother nudged me to bow in return. We then progressed onwards down the stairway and along the corridor to be greeted by the sunlight again as we went through the exit. The decorations at last were fully done; in my rush to get ready in the morning I hadn't the chance to take them in properly. Coloured drapes adorned the windows on each floor, and the chiming of tiny bells could be heard even from where we were standing. They'd done such a beautiful job of decorating the tower, I bet that it could even be seen from the faraway city to the south.

"Isn't it wonderful, Helga?" my mother wondered aloud, obviously in agreement with me. Though as she said this, I noticed a hint of sadness in her eyes. As if she was worried about something.

"...is something bothering you?" I hesitantly asked.

"Oh, no, it's nothing dear. You don't need to be afraid of asking either," she replied, obviously picking up on my hesitation. I don't know why I asked the question like I did, but I didn't believe her answer. It was almost like I subconsciously knew I wouldn't like the truth.

A cloud crept over the sun and darkened the landscape slightly as we entered the door to the tower.

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You'd be forgiven for thinking the tower was abandoned as you made your way up. The winding staircases and passageways seemed to almost never come to an end; there was nary other soul in sight. As we ascended each level we saw the continuing pillar in the middle which held the tower's structure in place, swaying like a pendulum. The walk was signposted, but still absurdly long. Eventually we reached the exit which led to the roof, where in fact the celebrations were already starting, we had just made it on time. We were ushered quickly into the back of the small crowd.

"Citizens of Ecruteak," the old man at the front greeted everyone, starting his speech. I guessed from his blue robes that he was also one of the sages that guarded the tower. 

"We gather here today to commemorate a most special occasion. In fact, the collision of two special occasions. The first, the summer solstice, the day where we are granted the most blessed hours of daylight. The second, Ho-Oh's miraculous return to our humble city. In the times since Ho-Oh's return, our city has been graced by prosperity. Our city has benefitted from the progress and advancement of humanity, whilst maintaining the tradition and values that give us our humanity. Open your ears, as the bells of summer ring, and call for Ho-Oh's visit once more. Come to us now!"

Exactly on cue, the bellmen started playing.

For a few moments, the chimes rang through our ears, an expectation of a miraculous event to follow in the air. 

We waited until the notes stopped sounding.

The sky grew darker. Murmurs in the crowd were starting to be heard.

"Is that all? No visit?"

"It seems like we've instead managed to summon Lugia..."

"Maybe they played the wrong song?"

"Please, good people, do not fear," the man at the front started speaking again. "Ho-Oh has heard our call, he should be with us any moment. Let the virtue of patience reward you today!"

With this, the murmurs died down, but no further sign of the sky getting any brighter and no appearance from the rainbow bird meant the silence didn't last long.

"Maybe we should just go home dear, come on," my mother suggested rather rapidly, pulling at my hand. I was inclined to go with her.

The sound of a gigantic bird's cry commanded mine and everyone else's attention back to the skies.

"There he is, it's Ho-Oh!"

Everyone in the crowd started applauding as Ho-Oh descended in flight to approach the tower. Ho-Oh truly was a sight to behold, striking feathers of red green and white adorned its wings and body, whilst its head was adorned with a golden crest and beak and its tail feathers glowed golden as well. It was so ecstatic to finally see Ho-Oh in person after all this time and yet, something was amiss. I couldn't put my finger quite on what it was and the loud applause and cheering certainly didn't help.

"Mother, I can't help but feel there's something wrong with..."

"Oh, don't be silly!" Mother interrupted, "Come on, perk up a little, Ho-Oh came, isn't this what you were all excited for?"

"Yes, but..." I attempted to continue before being interrupted yet again, this time by a member of the crowd.

"Great sage, does Ho-Oh usually come this close?" He asked the man at the front, noting Ho-Oh's very close proximity to us.

"No, not usually this close. It looks like... it looks like it's going to land here! Everyone, make a space, this is most unusual." the sage exclaimed, gesturing everyone to step back, though it didn't take long before a sufficient space for the bird was cleared. Ho-Oh approached the roof and indeed, slowed down before making its perch alongside us humans. It was then that I finally saw what was bothering me before.

"It's wings are faded, it's panting for breath. It looks tired. Was that why..." I thought to myself, with the crowd finishing my sentence.

"Ho-Oh's wings are dulled out, they weren't refracting the sunlight. Not that there's much sunlight anyway right now but, perhaps Ho-Oh has gotten old?"

"But this can't be, how can the avatar of life be dying?"

"Enough!" The sage dispersed the chatter. He sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. "I was told that this day may come but never I thought it would be in my lifetime." Just then, the magnificent bird wearily raised its head, and addressed us all, speaking into our hearts.

"I have travelled far and wide, for an extended flow of the sands of time. My body grows weary now, and I must rest and recuperate before being born anew. However, life cannot be without its guardian, and as such, today, one of you must assume my role."

I expected everyone to gasp in shock, but there was only silence. They probably all felt the same as I did, that it was too shocking for words. I'd never seen a crowd so stunned into silence. It lasted what felt like an hour, though in reality it couldn't have been more than a couple of minutes. I felt a drop of rain fall on my cheek, as the now grey sky started to trickle, but even that wasn't enough to break the trance. Eventually, the silence was broken, once again by the elder sage.

"And how will he or she who will assume your role be chosen, great Ho-Oh?"

The great bird bowed its head as it let the rain drip off its beak. I suddenly noticed I was feeling uncomfortably warm.

"Mother, is it just me or is it hot in here?"

"I think it's just you, for me it's cooled down a bit since we got here. Are you OK dear?" She asked with that worried motherly expression.

"No, I mean, yes, I think I'm fine..." I assured her, though I wasn't sure if I was telling the truth or not.

"The girl draped in the rising sun. Please, come forward."

A wave of eyes all turned to face me. My whole world froze. My feet became glued to the floor and my stomach turned itself over. There was no one else wearing something similar to me, Ho-Oh had addressed me. I felt a chilling touch on my shoulders, the shock of which was enough to make me move forward, letting it guide me through the crowd as it parted to let me through. The unwavering eyes of the elder and of the great bird fixed their gaze upon me as I made my way forward, but as the last of the crowd parted and made my way to the front clear, the chill went away and my feet froze again.

"Do not be afraid child, I will not harm you."

The bird's voice felt as if it resonated through my very heart. The sensation was enough to snap me out of my trance, making me aware of the surroundings once more. After looking around to see the disbelieving expressions of the crowd, I stepped the last of the way forward, standing in front of the great bird at last.

"What is your name, young one?" I heard a physical voice ask behind me, that of the elder.

"Helga. H-helga Taiyo." I stuttered, unable to hide the fear in my voice or turn my head to face him. The bird looked deep into my eyes, its own eyes framed in black giving it the sort of gaze that could read into your very soul. The more I met it eye to eye however, the less I felt intimidated. It almost felt like it was smiling at me with its eyes, I know not how to describe it otherwise.

"Your heart is pure Helga, and your will is honest. I would be honoured if you would assume my role during my rest. If, you so accept."

And there came the world-freeze feeling again. I should have known it would be me that was chosen after being called forward but how could anyone expect something like this? I slowly lowered myself to the ground, supporting my back upright with my hands behind me whilst sitting down, letting the rain flow over my body. So many questions in my head. Why did it choose me? How could I go through with something like this? Why did I feel like crying? Or was that just the rain?

"Helga," it was my mother. She looked equally as unperturbed by the rain as she emerged from the end of the crowd parting and sat down by my side.

"Mother, I'm so confused, I don't know..." she put a finger to my lips and hushed my mouth, shaking her head with a smile on her lips. A smile I hadn't seen in what felt like an eon.

"A long time ago, when I was your age, a friend of mine took me to the top of Bell Tower. It was also the longest day of summer, the first time this festival was held. Our parents had no interest in going and I was scared of climbing such a huge tower, having suffered with a fear of heights. My friend took me and held my hand the entire way..." she chuckled "...the whole time with me trying to pull him in the opposite direction!"

I laughed at that, the idea of my mother scared of heights seemed ridiculous to me but I thought it wasn't too uncommon a fear. I let her continue.

"Anyway, we reached the top, and much like today, made it just in time for the start of the celebration. The bells chimed, and we waited and waited, even longer than today. When Ho-Oh eventually came, it was clear that it could barely fly. The crowd dispersed but my friend was frozen in place. I pushed him out of the way just before Ho-Oh landed full force on me."

I gasped in shock when I heard this, I had never known this had happened to her, surely an impact like that should have seriously injured her? "But you look fine now, how did..."

My mother turned to face Ho-Oh, and smiled widely. Ho-Oh bowed its head towards her.

"Ho-Oh restored my life. When I next awoke, I had red, white and green feathers, black talons, a beak and a golden crest and tail. I felt its voice in my head, telling me it had to rest, and that it was sorry for what it had done, and it hoped I could find it in my heart to forgive and take over whilst it recuperated. I saw my friend with tears in his eyes, but when our eyes met, everything felt right with the world again. He somehow knew it was me. He wiped his tears and smiled, with that, I took the skies. I lost track of time as I flew around the world, but I knew when the longest day was approaching yet again. The chimes of the bells called me to perch here, and our bodies separated once more, Ho-Oh taking to the skies on its own."

I pointed at the feather in her hair "So that friend that 'gave' you the feather..."

She chuckled, "an indirect gift, I'll admit. Maybe someday, you'll get to meet him. But I think now, you have a duty to do."

Her story revolved in my head a couple of times.

"I have nothing to fear?" I pondered aloud.

"Nothing at all," was the response from the giant bird. Finally, I found the strength to stand on my own two feet again. I slowly walked towards it. I stopped at finger's distance from its face. It made a tent with its wings around my body. I closed my eyes and focused in on my own pace of breath.

Inhale.

The uncomfortable warmth from before made its presence again, stronger than before.

Exhale.

The rain seemed to evaporate at the mere touch to my skin.

Inhale.

The universe set alight.

A pillar of fire blazed, with me at the centre. I saw Ho-Oh briefly in the fire in front of me, but it soon disappeared. I didn't have any time to wonder how the fire wasn't burning me before I felt a very sharp pain in my rear as a gigantic plume of golden feathers force its way out, a burning sensation but of a very different kind to the one I thought I should be experiencing. 

I felt the fire intensify around my arms in a sensation that I could only liken to melting as prismatic red and and white feathers formed wings where my arms once were, ending in green tips. The feathers spread to my chest and down my body as I felt myself forced to bend over, bones cracking as my spinal structure changed to a more avian form, my entire centre of gravity shifting.

My legs melted away, knocking down my standing height, but I felt the floor move further away as my whole body increased in size to compensate. My feet hardened as if burnt in a cooking fire, five toes merging into three black scaled talons and another poking out of my heel. With a similar burning sensation, a gleaming white claw poked out of each talon. 

Finally, the fire softened my neck it felt pulled by an imaginary force, red feathers poking out of it along with a band of green feathered at the centre. As the feeling reached my head, I felt the burning sensation once again as the top of my head almost split open, revealing a golden crest. My lips bubbled, hardened, stretched out and reformed into the shape of a yellow beak. I closed my eyes, and prayed that it would be over soon.

At long last, the roar of the fire died down. When I opened my eyes again, my breath was taken away by what I saw. Rather, how I saw.

Every colour glowed with a brilliance that could not be described with human words. Even the grey steel of the radio tower in the city far to the south stood out pin sharp against the lightening sky. Each individual raindrop refracted the emerging sunlight, in all the colours of the rainbow, as an arc of the coloured formed across the tower. I looked to the sky and saw the clouds retreating further, the sunlight making a larger and larger presence until at long last, it hit the top of bell tower once more and shined upon my body. I extended my new wings and heard the sighs of awe from the crowd, as they turned into a round of applause. The colours of the rainbow could be seen to all as far as the eye could see. I didn't intend for it to come across as symbolic, but maybe it was for the best that it did. As the raindrops over my feathers started to lighten, I flapped my wings to rid the rest of my body of the water. It was only then that I noticed my mother again, looking like she was about to cry. She ran to me and buried herself in my chest feathers, crying.

"I'm so proud of you dear, you're so brave..."

I felt water drip down from the side of my eye, I told myself it was just the rain still but I knew I was crying too. I wrapped one of my wings around her and gently nuzzled her with my beak. I could have stayed in that moment for the rest of time, but I knew I couldn't. I had a duty to attend to. I didn't even need to say it as mother just nodded her head and let me go.

The last of the rain finally subsided, and the sun was in full force once more. With a gigantic flap of my wings, I took to the skies, flying over my city. On the ground, I could see blooms of all colours emerging from the trees and ground, and hear the general buzz of life and summer in progress. I let out a shrill cry as I soared higher, from the ground, it almost looked like I was flying over the rainbow.

At the top of Bell tower, the sacred fire of summer burnt stronger than ever. The guardian of life paid its visit and now rested whilst another took his place. But the world below seemed ready to prosper and grow all the same. As the last of my home city left my gaze, I made one last promise to myself.

"I'll see you next summer."