"We're here—this is my live house, 'Toxic Riff Stage'!"
Just where I expected—the same spot that becomes the Gym in the Black 2 & White 2 era is now a performance hall. Still, Hikaru rubbed his chin, a little puzzled.
"So when they say they're building a new Gym… it's really just the new Gym Leader picking a location for it, right?"
"Why bring that up all of a sudden? But yeah, that's right!" Roxie's eyes shone with longing. "If I can become a Gym Leader, I can renovate the hall! Then we can pack in way more people to hear the music!"
"Of course, the venue's vibe still needs to stay grimy. That's punk. It's not some flashy set from Pokéstar Studios, y'know."
Just like in his memory: open the main doors and a staircase drops into the basement. A few damaged, dim yellow tubes flicker, and crooked posters plaster the walls. The biggest one features Roxie's face with the words—
"I'm the vocalist—recruiting other members now!"
Roxie read it out loud herself, then bragged to Hikaru: "First time in a place like this, huh? Don't let the rundown look fool you—this is pure rock-punk."
"Our Gas Bomb Band is pretty famous in Unova. If we can win the showcase this time, we can go on a world tour. That's my dream."
They headed down and pushed through the door that once led into the Gym—though right now, it wasn't a Gym at all.
A wave of "lonely rock" déjà vu hit.
The gloom, the pressure… kinda comforting, actually.
"This is the PA—the sound engineer." Inside, Roxie pointed to someone working the board.
This wasn't the long–straight-haired lady Hikaru had half–imagined from a different life; it was a hip-hop guy with dreadlocks and classic Black features.
He greeted Roxie, then sank back into his own world. Around the room, people chatted; other band members milled about.
Hikaru: "Didn't you say this was your live house? Why are there other bands here?"
"Duh. Where d'you think the venue income comes from? You really haven't been to one of these before!" Roxie giggled, then led him into a recording booth.
"This is Cook, our drummer from Gas Bomb." She pointed at a bald guy in a black trench coat, squatting by the kit.
A classic figure among Roxie's crew: that gleaming dome and that slightly wicked grin, like he might scream "Ryūmon Hōzukimaru!" and pop Bankai any second.
Being a Soul Reaper is rough—now Ikkaku's in a band.
"Yo, this the new guitarist? Hm. That instrument?" Cook stroked his chin, suddenly serious. "Doesn't look like a guitar."
"It's a ukulele—an instrument from a far-off region called 'Oblivia.'" Hikaru gave a small explanation, thinking to himself that while nobody cracked a "bass" joke, ukulele gags were landing just fine.
Unless you're a pro musician, a folk-leaning guitar-like thing is easy to misidentify.
"Forget the uke." Roxie pointed at a rack of guitars in the booth. "Cook got all of these ready. Pick one and try it."
"Roxie's all gas, no brakes—might take getting used to. Give it a minute and you'll find she's actually pretty cute," Cook chuckled. The grin still looked fierce, though his brow suddenly furrowed.
"Huh? You look familiar. I definitely saw you somewhere."
"Don't sweat that kind of thing!" Roxie swatted Cook. "C'mon, we gotta set up too!"
Hikaru quickly chose a guitar. Roxie handed him a stack of sheets.
"Here! Today's setlist and charts!" She hugged up her bass; Cook settled behind the kit.
[Item: Roxie's Score — Masterful Music ("Toxic Riff Roar: Surging Waste-Smoke")]
[Description: A score written by Roxie herself. As a core member, she's a gifted composer with a prodigy's instincts. The sheet blends the motifs of "Toxic," "Stage," and "Industry," fusing industrial atmosphere with punk.]
[Effect: Music Spirit +30%, Trance +20%.]
[Note: With your musicianship, you can spot places it could be improved.]
Roxie: "Listen up! In a band, playing with living, breathing people is what matters. Keep your ears on everyone else's timing! You can shred solo all you like, but if you can't lock in with the band, you're not even a water flea on stage!"
"Okay—let's start!"
Pop! White light burst from a Poké Ball, cutting Roxie off. Larvesta hopped out.
"Pokémon?"
Its eyes lit up like twin stars at the sight of all the instruments. Then it started to hum—on its own.
Relic Song.
Even filtered through Larvesta's chirring, the melody soothed the heart and stirred homesick memories—an ancient longing that called up dark-brown recollections and distant winds from somewhere far away.
A bard from afar sang the old ballad. An ancient scroll unfurled, whispering one beautiful legend after another—
Roxie was instantly hooked; she and Cook stood there, stunned by the little bug's "singing." A thought flashed across Roxie's mind.
The Nimbasa City Poké Musical lets Pokémon perform on stage, right? If a Pokémon could take lead vocals, then—
No. No time to rehearse! Same old problem: no matter how good the singer is, without time to mesh, it won't work.
Still… it did sound amazing.
The song ended. Larvesta looked at Roxie, eyes full of hope.
"Don't—don't look at me like that…" Roxie forcibly tamped down the bubbling glee—but the bald guy, Cook, smacked his forehead.
"Hey! I remember! You're that genius artist! My Arceus—running into you here!"
"Huh? What genius?" Roxie blinked. Cook hurried to explain:
"The young artist who caused a sensation in Mistralton City! That Larvesta—yeah, that's his Larvesta! A single painting sent artists into a trance. I heard he was on Route 5 not long ago, jamming with the street musicians there!"
"You've been buried in charts and rehearsals lately, Roxie, so it's normal if you missed it. Bottom line—you've brought a huge deal here!"
Cook looked both stern and starstruck, awkwardly fishing up pen and paper from somewhere. "P-please, your autograph!"
It was Hikaru's second time getting hit with this, and he scratched his cheek, embarrassed. "I'm no 'genius artist.' I just happened to meet a few people who liked my work."
"Whoa, didn't know you were that kind of awesome. Guess I'm lucky today."
Roxie elongated every syllable—she didn't fully get it, but hey, good news is good news.
"With you here, we'll totally win tomorrow's showcase! I wasn't that confident before, but—"
"No. The score's excellent, but I don't think we can win." Hikaru lifted the sheet. "Actually… this chart still has room to grow."
"Mm… honestly, I feel the same." Roxie scratched her head. "I've revised it a bunch—pulled an all-nighter yesterday—but it's still missing that crushing aura."
"Tomorrow's opponent—Go-Rock Quads—is a massively popular act. They exploded with awards right after debut. They're serious competition. If we don't write something overwhelming, we can't beat them!"
"We're an old-school band. Our spirit—can't drop the ball."
"If you don't mind, want me to revise it?" Hikaru offered. "Given the situation, I won't be modest—when it comes to music theory, I'm probably way ahead of you."
"If you'll let me try."
Arrogant words, maybe—but Roxie figured if Hikaru had that kind of reputation, he was probably the real deal. Artists and musicians overlap—and tack "genius" on there and who knows where the line is.
"Mm. Okay! Take a crack at it and show me!"
Roxie barely hesitated. Hikaru didn't either—he got right to work.
The piece fused industrial surge with punk and toxic motifs—solid on its own. But Roxie's opponents were no joke.
They were big names from the Fiore region—of all places. He hadn't expected to run into them here. They'd been a villain team once; after being defeated by the Rangers, they ditched their boss, formed a band, and started touring the world.
"How about using the song we just heard?" Cook suggested. "That Pokémon's looking at you, waiting. And its humming… has a real vibe. Reminds me of my mom."
"Its humming… takes me back to the little tune Mom used to sing by the hearth while mending clothes."
"Uh, that doesn't fit our rock style," Roxie wavered. "And it's just humming. What about lyrics?"
"We can't seriously make a Pokémon the lead, right? The track might get picked by Pokéstar Studios. If there aren't even lines—what is that supposed to be?"
Cook shrugged. "Then make it a duet. That mon's insanely musical. We're a rock band—anything goes. Even smashing skulls with a bass is rock, yeah?"
Roxie bristled. "I am not beating people with my bass! I'd get roasted alive!"
While they argued, Larvesta started swaying and sang again.
The voice wafted out—and then, at some point, a second melody rose in the booth.
Smoother than Larvesta's, more limpid, more lilting.
The tune was so old, it felt like even the wind had forgotten how to sing it.
First a spider-silk tremolo, like a rusted gear nudged half a turn by the breeze—
Then the timbre gathered, like a clear spring spilling over river stones. A small form—navy and cream—floated up from the shadows of the cables.
Hands folded before her chest, eyes closed and face tipped up—the ancient ballad poured from her throat.
For a heartbeat, the tiny figure was a goddess come to recruit heroes.
And the ancient scroll unfurled again.
Set forth, you pioneer of old nobility.
The first ray of light breaking the night.
Let the caged feelings run wild.
Sorrow sunk so deep it cannot be retrieved.
As though fate's own reply.
Adventure with your companions; tread across mountains.
In sun-drenched gallery walkways, slip along in hushed steps.
Stone-cold rail beneath the fingertips; yesterday returns in full.
Warmth, hope, a brand-new day… waiting to be challenged.
Cast everything up among the clouds.
[Acquired: Legendary Music — Relic Song.]
[Description: Though you've learned to perform Relic Song, it is a music only Meloetta can truly own—only when Meloetta sings it does its real power awaken.]
[Effect: Can guide the feelings of living beings—into sorrow or joy—drawing listeners into a dream of their own making, stirring powerful emotion, and cleansing the heart of pain and fatigue.]
[Extra: You have heard the true Relic Song and learned to play it. Recorded in Confluence Music!]
[Extra: Compose — Legendary Music Slots ×3.]
"This is the mythical Pokémon, Meloetta."
Hikaru looked at the small, sudden apparition—and his words snapped Roxie and Cook out of their reverie.
"A m-m-mythical Pokémon! Wait—her voice… it's even better than Larvesta's!"
"Melo~" Meloetta twirled, delighted, beside Larvesta.
"So that's it. The song Larvesta hummed is the almost-forgotten 'Relic Song.' And for some reason, Meloetta had lost her ability to sing it—until now."
"Legend says Meloetta's voice can guide the hearts of people and Pokémon. With a special vocal technique, the melody can steer emotion—make nearby Pokémon weep or grin. Many masterpieces were born from melodies Meloetta performed."
"But… why here?" Roxie was floored that a Pokémon like this would appear in her recording booth.
Hikaru smiled. "Back in Virbank, I noticed she seemed to be following you. Maybe your rock drew her in. You are a musical prodigy, after all."
"Eheh…" Roxie flushed, then blinked. "But the Go-Rock Quads are near Virbank too."
"Ahem. They've got… history. Meloetta probably stayed away because of that."
Hikaru said it mildly. Cook suddenly got fired up:
"Roxie! We can ask her to sing with us! That power just now? No mistaking it! If we can fully score that song and nail the performance, we can absolutely take the crown!"
"Our opponents aren't just the Go-Rock Quads—there are artists from other regions, too. I know you don't think much of 'em, but they could be roadblocks!"
"Wha—controlling people's feelings? No way! We win by skill!" Roxie shot the idea down.
Meloetta drooped, just a little.
"It's okay. Meloetta's a Mythical—she can control her power. Honestly, what you felt was memory being stirred. Call it Meloetta's gift if you like, but I'd call it the power of music itself."
Hikaru grinned. "Plenty of folks heard Meloetta sing and found their dream. A beautiful melody can make everyone happy; a sad one can make everyone blue. So they say."
"So—do we hire Meloetta as lead or backing?"
Roxie pursed her lips, thinking hard. Then she suddenly stepped up, snatched the chart from Hikaru's hand—
"We won't need this!"
"If a Mythical Pokémon is our lead, this half-baked chart is nowhere near worthy!"
"I'm gonna write something better!"
Cook: "So… we are writing it? Using Relic Song as the base and adding lyrics?"
"No. It's gorgeous, but not rock." Roxie shook her head. "But Hikaru-san said Meloetta's songs birth masterpieces, right?"
"I bet Meloetta wants to sing melodies she's never sung before!"
"Girl, you're chaos incarnate." Cook scrubbed his bald scalp. Sometimes Roxie's choices made no sense—and as a bandmate, he could only sigh.
Hikaru: "In that case, I've got a new chart you might want to hear. It's not a 'Legendary Music' piece, but…"
"It could become a legend."
If we're talking the kind of explosive, rock-charged music this needs—sure, the Pokémon world has Legendary pieces like the Oración, the Azure Flute's hymn, the Secret Garden suite, the Rite of Ark, Ho-Oh's sacred dance… but those skew toward piano, flute, and traditional instrumentation.
If it's the anime you think of, though, one option leaps out immediately. Pokémon's OP/ED lineage is practically a hereditary vein of hard-edged pop-rock—
"Aim to Be a Pokémon Master."
(End of Chapter)
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