Ecruteak City is in the northern part of the Johto region. It is a city of history and culture, and an old capital.
Traditional Japanese buildings were the main part of this city. The tallest building in the city was the ten-story Bell Tower.
The Ecruteak Dance Theater was very well-known.
Many people said that if you go to Ecruteak City and do not see the Kimono Girls at the theater, you will be very sad.
Damian and his group arrived at this old, historical city after they left Goldenrod City.
As soon as they entered the city, they saw a very large and old tower in the distance. That was the Bell Tower.
"This tower is burned so badly. Why hasn't it been torn down yet?"
Zinnia looked at the broken tower. Anyone could see that this tower had been burned by fire in the past.
There were black burn marks all over the tower. It was completely burned.
A dangerous building like this could fall at any time. She did not know why the people of Ecruteak City kept such a dangerous building.
"Because this tower is one of the most important proofs of this city's history."
Damian looked at the burned tower and shrugged.
"You know about this too, Damian?" Zinnia looked at Damian with surprise.
"The Burned Tower. That is what people call it now. However, its original name was the Brass Tower. It was a tower that was struck by lightning and nearly burned to the ground one hundred and fifty years ago."
Damian looked toward the Bell Tower in the distance.
The Bell Tower and the Brass Tower. The people of Ecruteak City built these to show the friendship between humans and Pokémon. Because of this, Lugia and Ho-Oh once lived on these two towers.
"But unfortunately, when the Brass Tower was burning, no one went to put out the fire. And when the three Pokémon who burned to death were brought back to life by Ho-Oh, the people felt fear when they saw them. They even attacked the three reborn Pokémon pointlessly."
Damian said. This was the reason why Ho-Oh and Lugia left Ecruteak City.
"How foolish," Caitlin said. She probably guessed it; those three reborn Pokémon were Suicune, Entei, and Raikou.
"It was indeed foolish, but more than that, it was a case of disappointment. Seven hundred years ago, the people of this city built these two towers and gained the trust of Ho-Oh and Lugia."
"One hundred and fifty years ago, however, because of a single fire, those two legendary Pokémon left this city. The so-called trust only lasted for five hundred years."
Damian said.
"And now, the people of this city have likely already forgotten this history."
Damian looked toward the Bell Tower. The Bell Tower was kept in very good condition.
However, that did not matter. Ho-Oh had stopped caring about Ecruteak City a long time ago. It had been that way since the people here began to drive away and attack the reborn Suicune and the others.
"No, that is not true. We still remember the lessons of history clearly."
A woman's voice came from behind them.
Damian moved one eyebrow up and turned his head. He saw a woman wearing a kimono.
She wore makeup and a yellow kimono.
"Good day to you all~ My name is Satsuki. I happened to hear your conversation."
The Kimono Girl named Satsuki put her hands in front of her and bowed a little to Damian and the others.
"Miss Satsuki, the eldest sister of the five sisters of the Ecruteak Dance Theater. I didn't expect it to be such a coincidence."
Damian looked at Satsuki.
The Ecruteak Dance Theater was the most famous place for dancing in the Johto region. The dancers there were very good at singing and dancing.
The five sisters who owned the place were very famous.
Also, these five sisters were not weak women. They often performed on stage. they showed many cultural stories to others through singing and art.
At the same time, there was a story that these five sisters were also very good Trainers. They were maybe as strong as Gym Leaders.
Of course, no one knew for sure if this was true.
"I did not expect this gentleman to know me. I am humbled."
Satsuki bowed again and looked at Damian.
"I wonder if I might have the honor of inviting you all to the theater for a chat? I am quite skilled in the art of tea."
Satsuki invited the group.
"Of course. Being personally invited by Miss Satsuki is something many men want but cannot get." Damian laughed a little and did not say no.
"You really love to joke, sir," Satsuki said. She covered her mouth and laughed.
"Then, everyone, please follow me."
Satsuki walked in front of Damian and his group and showed them the way with her hand.
The Ecruteak Dance Theater was a very famous place in Ecruteak City. Even when the five sisters were not performing, there were still many customers there.
There were many other dancers and singers performing in the large hall.
Satsuki led Damian and the others into the theater through the back door.
"Sister?"
When they entered the theater, a girl wearing a black kimono with gold circles came to meet them. She looked at Satsuki and was confused.
She was Tamao, the third of the five sisters.
"Tamao, take these distinguished guests to a private room. Be sure to host them well. I will be over shortly."
Satsuki gave orders to Tamao.
"I understand," Tamao said. She looked surprised.
"I'm sorry, everyone. I will let my younger sister host you for a moment. I am going to go get something." Satsuki turned her head and said sorry to Damian.
"It's fine. If you have business, Miss Satsuki, please go ahead."
Damian answered with a smile. He wanted to know why Satsuki suddenly invited them to be guests.
Damian had some ideas, but he did not know if they were right.
"Please follow me, everyone."
Tamao used her hand to show the way. Tamao looked colder than her older sister, Satsuki.
Her face was also colder, but she was very beautiful.
All five sisters were very beautiful. Their family had very good looks.
They went into the private room. Damian looked around. It was a normal old-style room. It even had a chair made of bamboo.
Tamao told them to sit down and started to boil water for tea.
"Miss Tamao, I heard that your sisters' dance skills are the best in Johto. I wonder if we might have the honor of enjoying a performance?"
Damian sat on the seat. He looked at Tamao and spoke with a smile.
"To perform for distinguished guests, I am naturally willing. However, the second sister and the fourth sister are currently away, so it is inconvenient," Tamao answered.
"I see. That is truly a pity."
Damian felt a little sad. He really wanted to listen to music in a theater when he was free.
"I wonder if Miss Tamao knows the current Gym Leader of the Laverre Gym in the Kalos region, Valerie?"
Damian thought for a moment and asked Tamao.
Valerie was a Gym Leader in the Kalos region.
Valerie was from the Johto region. People called Johto the "Land of History." She was likely from Ecruteak City.
This was because Valerie had a Johto accent. Also, the Trainers in the Laverre Gym all wore kimonos. This was the clothing that Johto dancers liked to wear.
"Valerie? She once studied at our theater for a period of time."
Tamao thought for a moment and then answered with a smile.
"She is a very excellent girl. We are also very happy that she has reached her current level of success."
As he thought, Valerie had a connection to the Ecruteak Dance Theater.
Time passed while they talked. Soon, there was a knock on the door of the room. Satsuki walked in with a box.
"Everyone, excuse me for the intrusion."
Satsuki put the box down and said sorry to everyone.
"There's no need to be so polite. Speaking of which, Miss Satsuki, you can explain the reason for inviting us here now, right?"
Damian moved his hand to show it was okay. He wanted to know why Satsuki invited them into the theater.
It was strange for a famous dancer like Satsuki to meet someone on the street and invite them to a high-class room in the theater.
"As expected, you saw through it, sir. Then I will not hide it anymore. May I ask, sir, if you have been in contact with Ho-Oh or Lord Lugia?"
Satsuki asked Damian.
Tamao was surprised when she heard this. She also became serious.
"Oh? How did you know?"
Damian looked at Satsuki with surprise. He knew the five sisters had a special connection with Ho-Oh and Lugia.
"It is because of this—a treasure passed down from our ancestors."
Satsuki took the box and opened it slowly. There were two old bells inside.
Damian looked at them. He knew what they were right away.
They were the Clear Bell and the Tidal Bell!
"When I was about to return to the theater and passed by you, sir, I noticed something strange about the Clear Bell."
Satsuki raised her arm. She took out the Clear Bell and moved it gently toward Damian.
Ding-ling~
The Clear Bell made a clear sound.
"It really is you! Sir, you are the one chosen by Ho-Oh!"
Satsuki looked very excited. The bells never made a sound since they got them from their ancestors.
Yes! They never rang! Ho-Oh and Lugia gave them to their ancestors a long time ago.
Only a person that Ho-Oh and Lugia like can make these two bells ring!
The five sisters were always looking for this person. And now, they finally found him!
"No, I think you might have misunderstood..." Damian's face looked a bit strange.
Ho-Oh liked him?
He thought the bell rang because he had the special Rainbow Wing.
"No! There is no mistake! The Clear Bell rang for you! You are the person recognized by Ho-Oh!"
"Is there a possibility that I have indeed seen Ho-Oh, but it doesn't actually like me very much?"
Damian tried to tell her the truth.
"Sir! Please tell Ho-Oh that we have never forgotten him. Please ask him to forgive us."
But Satsuki was not listening. She bowed very low to Damian.
"We beg of you. As long as you are willing to help us, we will do anything!"
Anything, huh...
Damian heard what Satsuki and Tamao said. He started to think deeply.
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