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JoshuaDunlop β€” Call of a Frozen Legend...

Published: 2009-03-06 15:45:24 +0000 UTC; Views: 30521; Favourites: 759; Downloads: 248
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Description Dear Samuel,

I am dying. I am old and have traveled far, but now i cannot travel anymore.

I am writing this letter, to you, my only son, as a gesture to why i was never part of your life.
For this, I am beyond Sorry, but maybe this will make you understand...

It had been 15 days since I started my journey into the Kanto mountains. I understand now why they are seen and a mountainerers dream. The sheers cliffs and towering ranges are indeed impressive. Beautiful though, especially in the mourning.

Before I get to the point, you need to understand how i got here and why.
I was journalist for the Nation Reasearch magazine, a true scientist at heart, I try desperatly to seek out new and amazing worlds and report back.
I had been all over the world, from the greastest and most dangerous parts, to the grandest and most awe inspiring.
I hope that you, one day, would have such a thirst for adventure as i do.

My journey led my to the Kanto Mountain ridge, a dangerous and mainly unexplored part of the world. My team and i climbed for three days up the mountain of 'Le Odun' named by the natives.
We were on our way to see the Monks that lived in solitude. They had been there for a thousand years and not much had changed in those times. They are said to have the abilities of low level psychic pokemon, it was my job to see if this were true.

When we finally reached the temple we were welcomed with warm food and water, they changed our clothes to red and golden robes, that were extremely comfortable and warm.
They took our cameras away as they said that anything here must be seen with only our eyes, not our machines... but i secretly stashed away one in my shoe when they wernt looking.
I learnt much from the monks, they see the world as an ever changing snowflake, falling and changing, then it melts, evaporates, and the cycle starts again. I think is a metaphor for rebirth.
They worshiped the earth itself, pokemon and animals being the gods. They told us about the power from within all living things. Pokemon especially having evolved to master the elements themselves should be respected to the highest order. Even though we as humans feel in control and are the dominant creature on the planet, we are still weak, and arrogant, brought on by our jealousy of these mighty beasts, and so we try and enslave them.
In all it was amazingly enlightening... and in turn, made me angry at the terrible mistakes humans have made in the past and our over all lack of desire to change.

They showed me what I was looking for, humans with telekinetic abilities. It wasn't as impressive as an Alakazam but i was introduced to a very old man with a long beard. He took a seed from a small pouch and placed it in my hand, the seed floated from my hand and back into the pouch. I was amazed that this man was able to do this but i must admit, it was slightly disappointing as i was expecting something more spectacular. the monks explained that within evolution, we are still children. Pokemon have have evolved for millions of years and have honed these skills to a high potential.

I spent many days studying the scrolls and wall carvings of their religion and history. One night i was looking through a scroll and found an interesting transcribe about why the monks lived so high in the mountains.
Hundreds of years ago, Kanto was a cold and wintery place. People found it hard to live but did the best they could. They worshipped a pokemon. a pokemon of great power. The creature gave off this great cold and one day looked down upon the people and pitied them.
So it moved up, high into the mountains and kanto became warmer and warmer. Some of the natives were happy, but some felt bad for the pokemon and felt bad that it left its home for their sake. So some monks went up into the mountains and gave it offerings in thanks to its great sacrifice.

Then i turned to see a boy over my shoulder, he was about 10. He looked at the script and smiled. 'Articuno' he said pointing.
I didnt understand. He took me by the hand and chanted to me.
Our translator came in and told me that the boy had chosen me to give the next offering to the god.
I was thankful that they wanted me to be involved in one of their oldest rituals, to praise one of their spirits.
I was told only a few are allowed to give the offering and must be chosen by the first born from each new generation of monk, this boy was it.
We packed up warm, carrying large baskets full of meat on our backs. The boy, a guide, our translator and I climbed up through the thick snow towards to top of the mountain. My team had to stay behind.

The snow was so thick i could barely see five feet in front of each step. Blasting cold whipped past my ears as we reached the summit. Standing back i watched the boy and the guide walk towards what looked like a small temple, but turned out to be a giant bell.

The boy beckoned to me and i walked over to the two. Dropping my meat on the floor i watched the boy walk over to me. He grabbed my hands, my translator shouted that he wanted me to ring the bell. I was terrified that it would cause an avalanche but the guide and boy seemed confident.
I pulled the cord back and let go. A loud gong rang over the mountains. Then i heard something far in the distance, like a whisper carried on the wind of something that sounded like a nightingale. I slowly reached down and got my camera from my shoe, anticipating what would happen next.
Then i heard the deep beat of wings. In fear my translator and i ran for cover but the boy and guide stood calmly.
I strained my eyes to see through the white haze. Then, out of the mist and swirling ice, giant claws, feathers and beak, broke through the mist with a gallant cry. I snapped wildly at the bird as it landed gracefully onto the icy ridge. the ground slightly shook and its claws hit the rock and i was frozen in awe, staring at the giant ice bird... Articuno.

My camera ran out of film as i watched it eat the offering we had given in one gulp. the boy walked calmly up to the Goliath and out stretched his hand. I was terrified the creature would kill him but instead, it leant its head close and let the child scratch it under its giant chin like a dog or cat would.
then it turned and looked to the horizon, let out a final cry and dissapeared into the white. I thought to myself... I will be famous.

As soon as i got to the temple i set about developing my film. One after the other, blurred blue and white images of nothing. Then, magic, a clear photo appeared.
Then i turned to see the boy and my translator. The boy spoke to me with tears in his eyes as my translator told me what he said.
You feel power? that you posses the image of a god? you feel by showing it to the world you are helping, but instead you are blind to see that by doing that you destroy the god you so desperately want to show. People will come. Greed filling their hearts they will hunt it down and exploit it piece by piece. The god will die, along with its grace. you will destroy it with your image... i pray however that i was right in picking you for this journey, i pray that you will understand the importance of a legend and why it must stay, a legend.
The boys words rang home to me...

So i didn't send it to the magazine. Instead i sent a resignation in its place. For years i had tore in to these amazing worlds, showing amazing creatures without thinking if, in deed, the human race had earned its right to see them. My team however did not have the same views as me, and wanted to become rich and respected. They tried to take it from me and then i knew i would never be safe.
I ran. i knew people would use you and your mother against me and i would never forgive myself if you got hurt. That is why i never returned.
Even now i am being hunted by people desperate to get hold of the photograph and will use any means necercary to obtain it. The photograph shows not only Articuno, but how to call it, and that, to the people who hunt me, is far more important.
So Samuel, i sent this to you. I know you are probably thinking, if the photo was so dangerous then why didn't i destroy it... and i suppose i should have, but it is my legacy and evidence of my last adventure. I trust you to have the sympathy and knowledge to not exploit the photograph and keep it hidden from those who would use it for evil.

I love you my son, I always will, always have.
Your father.

Dr. Jonathan Oak.


---------

i was a bit cheeky naughty and used a real photo for the background before you comment at how amazing it is lol, but i think its a nice touch?
I didnt want to show a destruction picture for this legendary, yes they are powerful, but i wanted to show how they can be awe inspiring as well as dangerous.
Hope you like it .
Josh
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Comments: 179

TheHunter13 In reply to ??? [2009-03-06 17:03:30 +0000 UTC]

Watercolor or marker for the foreground? The background blends in perfectly! As always, excellent job on the anatomy, it's very lifelike! I can almost see it IRL...

Your story lines are amazing. Keep all the art and stories coming!

Can I request Mewtwo or Lugia?

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JoshuaDunlop In reply to TheHunter13 [2009-03-06 17:25:14 +0000 UTC]

Mewtwo has a comic i was working on so i don't think i will do one yet?
Im only doing the 1st 151 properly, i know i have the regis but that was a redo of an old pic when i started. Its all on photoshop CS2, no water colours tho i'm very glad it looks like traditional media. Thank you very much for your comment

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MadMonkeyDane In reply to ??? [2009-03-06 16:37:55 +0000 UTC]

nothing wrong with using a photo for a background it tends to make life easier

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JoshuaDunlop In reply to MadMonkeyDane [2009-03-06 17:25:33 +0000 UTC]

lol yer it does if it blends in

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MadMonkeyDane In reply to JoshuaDunlop [2009-03-06 17:40:24 +0000 UTC]

i think it blends perfectly into this image to be honest i didnt notice it was a photo to begin with. its also really impressive how you come up with the stories behind all these pokemon it must take you ages to think them up

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JoshuaDunlop In reply to MadMonkeyDane [2009-03-06 22:53:08 +0000 UTC]

If I'm perfectly honest not really lol, much comes from me simply writing and the story emerges from there, sometimes i think of things when im creating the art as well

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MadMonkeyDane In reply to JoshuaDunlop [2009-03-07 12:18:03 +0000 UTC]

wow thats even more impressive id be sitting there for hours trying to think of something but then im the 1st to admit im no writer

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JoshuaDunlop In reply to MadMonkeyDane [2009-03-07 14:15:28 +0000 UTC]

as long as you enjoy it, thats all that matters

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Blazestar13 In reply to ??? [2009-03-06 16:33:14 +0000 UTC]

LOKS LIKE ARTICUNO, COOL!!. I LUV IT, GREAT JOB

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JoshuaDunlop In reply to Blazestar13 [2009-03-06 17:25:48 +0000 UTC]

Good Glad you like it

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Blazestar13 In reply to JoshuaDunlop [2009-03-06 20:23:26 +0000 UTC]

OK

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caat In reply to ??? [2009-03-06 16:25:24 +0000 UTC]

Wow, that's an impressive take on the backstory of Sam's dad. I was gripped, and the picture is beautiful also. ^-^

There is a lot of truth in the words, though...people do report too much about some things at times, exposing precious locations or creatures to the wrath of media, greed and commercialization.

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JoshuaDunlop In reply to caat [2009-03-06 17:26:45 +0000 UTC]

Glad you took more away from this that just a story, I try and do that with my work, relating things back to real world problems glad you like it

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caat In reply to JoshuaDunlop [2009-03-06 18:16:32 +0000 UTC]

I picked that out because its something I try to do with my work too ^-^

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JoshuaDunlop In reply to caat [2009-03-06 22:51:32 +0000 UTC]

Great minds think alike, sometimes people take things in better when its realated back to something they enjoy or have an interest in

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caat In reply to JoshuaDunlop [2009-03-06 22:56:52 +0000 UTC]

Yup! And not crammed down their throat XD

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JoshuaDunlop In reply to caat [2009-03-06 23:01:47 +0000 UTC]

exactly.. all these adverts... do you care about children,the poor, the rainforest, endangered animals etc etc if not your heartless and should be giving money. In the end people don't want to be guilted into understanding or wanting to help the world, they want to do it on their own by understanding it

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Chimera-gui In reply to ??? [2009-03-06 16:19:47 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful. The mythology you've made is reminiscent of Princess Mononoke.

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JoshuaDunlop In reply to Chimera-gui [2009-03-06 22:45:37 +0000 UTC]

Yer i love that film, and i agree, tho i wasn't entirely inspired by that film, i totally see the comparison

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Chimera-gui In reply to JoshuaDunlop [2009-03-06 23:09:49 +0000 UTC]

Do you think I can join the Pokemon EVO project?

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

JoshuaDunlop In reply to Chimera-gui [2009-03-06 23:16:56 +0000 UTC]

Well the game has shut down (pokemon: source) so in that way I'm afraid you cant, but honestly you pretty much are, your curiosity above most drives me and your suggestions usually end up in my overall idea plan. Im planning to write an un-official pokemon evo book, or online website, if you have any ideas you want to add or questions you want to ask, keep doing so, because your questions force me to come up with legitimate answers many of the pictures ill probably re-draw but all the info will stay the same

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Chimera-gui In reply to JoshuaDunlop [2009-03-06 23:30:22 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, and I'm sorry about the game. I'll help in any way I can.

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JoshuaDunlop In reply to Chimera-gui [2009-03-06 23:49:19 +0000 UTC]

cool, yer it sucked but thats life sometimes, no point crying about it eh, i have too much to get on with

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Chimera-gui In reply to JoshuaDunlop [2009-03-06 23:56:35 +0000 UTC]

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El-Moppo In reply to ??? [2009-03-06 16:10:43 +0000 UTC]

Wow!

That is the most realisic I think I have seen a PokΓ©mon... At least... It is near enough to it!

That is amazing! I loves it! <3

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

JoshuaDunlop In reply to El-Moppo [2009-03-06 22:50:32 +0000 UTC]

Glad you like it, have a gander at the rest of my gallery, thers many more realistic pokemon

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

El-Moppo In reply to JoshuaDunlop [2009-03-06 23:44:07 +0000 UTC]

Yeah! They're good! Or even... Great!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

JoshuaDunlop In reply to El-Moppo [2009-03-06 23:49:09 +0000 UTC]

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