HOME | DD

Description

I’ve never attempted to create such a complicated drawing before. After hours of work and a day well spent, I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out! I will say the drawing looks better in person. The scanner didn’t capture all the finer details. Now I need to rest my hand and resharpen all my colored pencils.

These are Kellen and Kendra. A pair of Lugias enjoying a day at the beach on Plum Island, Massachusetts, sometime in 1962. The picture was taken by a friend of Kendra’s, a man named Henry Brandt. Who is perhaps the only human to know the entirety of her and Kellen’s story.

Kellen was born in 1425 A.D. in an undersea cave, somewhere east of the Japanese archipelago. His age, 537 years in 1962, is evident in his somewhat spotty plumage. As far as Lugias go, Kellen is still young and in his prime years. He is the last ‘true’ Lugia in existence, meaning he has no human heritage whatsoever. He’s the last of a pure bloodline dating back millions of years.

Kendra was originally human, born in 1924 to an unknown mother in Boston, Massachusetts. Her second birthday, when she became a Lugia, occurred in 1952. Being significantly younger than Kellen, only 38 years in 1962, her plumage is speckled with silver. Spotty plumage comes with age. Her green eyes, unseen in true Lugias, are a carryover from her human heritage. It’s the only trace of her humanity. She is not a true Lugia as she was born a human. Nevertheless, she possesses every power and ability Kellen does. She is his equal.

Regarding Lugias, they are large oceanic creatures. Standing just over 17 feet tall, they’re remarkably lightweight for their size at 500 to 600 pounds. Possessing lungs to breathe air, they can absorb oxygen from surrounding water through their skin. Eliminating the need to surface for air and allowing them to remain submerged indefinitely. Externally, males and females appear identical. However, males have a lighter blue chest than females, which is a darker blue. This, and their differing voice pitches, is often the only way differentiator. Male Lugias have greater muscle mass than females and are physically stronger, although females possess stronger bones to compensate for the strain of pregnancy. As a result, males and females typically weigh the same.

In terms of daily life, Lugias live in isolated undersea caverns beneath volcanic islands or in abyssal trenches. Far from human influence. Possessing sleek, streamlined bodies, Lugias can cruise through water at high speed over vast distances. Up to 20,000 miles a day. Capable of flight, they’re extremely agile in the air and can soar to altitudes of 30,000 feet. When walking on land, Lugias can use their wings as makeshift forelegs, enabling them to gallop or walk as a quadruped. They’re impressive jumpers and are very light on their feet. The ‘hands’ at the ends of their wings are dexterous, allowing them to easily pick up and move objects.

Thanks to a dense layer of fat, thick plumage, and a sturdy skeleton, they’re impervious to oceanic pressure and frigid temperatures. No part of the ocean is out of reach. When out of water and dry, their plumage stands up and becomes somewhat floofy. When wet or submerged, their plumage lies flat and hugs their skin. Keen eyes and sensory abilities allow them to pierce through darkness. Able to sense pressure differences in water, this allows them to ‘hear’ just about anything underwater. A sensitive nose aids them in hunting and avoiding danger both above and below water. Because they spend most of their lives in the sea, their carnivorous diet consists primarily of squid, fish, crabs, and turtles.

In terms of courtship, Lugias mate for life and are loyal to their respective partner. If one dies, the other will stay single for the remainder of their life. Lugias are viviparous and reproduce through live birth, like mammals. Gestation lasts 12 months. Unlike mammals, they don’t nurse their young. Instead, parents feed their young small bits of soft food, like birds. Lugias are highly protective, loving parents who will kill to protect their offspring. Parents often spar with their offspring, to familiarize them with their powers and teach them to defend themselves. Despite reaching their adult size and sexual maturity by age 20, Lugias wait until the latter centuries of their lives to produce offspring. This enables the parents to pass on a lifetime of knowledge and experience.

Lugias lifespans are incredibly long. Kellen’s grandparents lived over 5,000 years before they died of natural causes. They live for millennia and witness a great deal of change in their lives. Extremely intelligent and boasting incredible memory, Lugias tend to remember nearly all they see. They can speak telepathically, directly into another’s mind, or use their vocal cords, as humans do. This eliminates any potential language barrier. To ensure knowledge is preserved for future generations and nothing is lost, Lugias store memories inside ‘memory pearls.’ A memory pearl is a spherical, milky pearl the size of a basketball. Each Lugia possesses a memory pearl inside their abode, which contains a copy of that Lugia’s memories. Memories can be accessed at any time by anyone. The viewer experiences the memories in the same manner they were made. They see, hear, and feel everything the memory’s maker did. Re-experiences are visceral and intense, regardless of how long ago the memory was made.

The most mysterious aspect about Lugias are their aforementioned powers. The ability to influence oceans and weather on a global scale. Changes to Earth’s climate can be made or reversed at will. Their offensive capabilities are second to none. A Lugia can lift and crush massive rocks or entire ships using psychic powers even they themselves don’t fully understand. From their gaping mouths, a Lugia can produce and fire a column of compressed air powerful enough to split skyscrapers like matchsticks. Alternatively, a Lugia can fire a column of water from their gaping mouths with enough pressure to cleave through solid rock. Lastly, a Lugia can divebomb and charge enemies head on, body slamming them at supersonic speed. To shield themselves from unfriendly eyes in more recent centuries, Lugias learned how to transfigure themselves into humans and turn invisible. Enabling them to vanish completely or hide in plain sight.

Lugias must always be mindful of themselves, their emotions. Sadness will cause rain to fall. Anger will spawn hurricanes, tornadoes, and rough seas. Flapping their wings too strongly could whip up winds strong enough to flatten houses or create a storm surge. They learn from an early age to control their emotions and restrain their powers. If they don’t, their powers will control them. Lugias don’t fear their powers. Rather, they respect them and exercise self-control. They respect their ability to cause great harm and calamity. If control is lost, a raging Lugia is unstoppable. Normally, Lugias are benevolent and despise violence. While they try to avoid trouble, they will defend themselves if necessary.

The emergence and rise of humanity presented a significant threat to the Lugias. Their population was always small, 15 to 20 at any time. Combined with their extremely low birthrate, the death of any Lugia is a devastating loss. As humans tamed the seas and filled in the blank spaces on their maps, the Lugias hid themselves away. Sadly, hiding wasn’t enough. One by one, their population dwindled. Caught between warring nations or picked off by explorers, hunters, and poachers alike. Despite their tremendous power, Lugias are not invincible to blunt force trauma, harpoons, bullets, or explosives.

The last five elder Lugias, including Kellen’s parents, knew their species faced extinction. Entire bloodlines were being lost. Even worse, WWII was heating up all around them. Something needed to be done if their species was to survive. If the worse came to pass, if the Lugias became extinct, there would be no one to regulate Earth’s climate or seas. What they came up with was desperate, although it ensured the Lugias would not perish completely. Humanity was their destroyer, and their unlikely savior.

Repurposing their transfiguration powers, they could transfigure a willing human into a Lugia. The transfigured human gained the powers and abilities of the Lugia that transfigured them. The former human is their equal. Although, there was a catch. Each Lugia can only perform the transfiguration once. A Lugia who transfigures a human is bound to that human, just as that human is bound to them. They share a soul, a life force. If one dies, the other will die as well. The final hurdle was finding the right human to transfigure. To find love in the very species which brought to Lugias to ruination and necessitated such drastic choices.

Kellen and Kendra met at Halibut Point, Massachusetts in 1949. 25 years old, Kendra’s life seemed to be stuck in neutral, despite being financially comfortable. Kellen, at 524 years old, had scoured the seas in search of his kin. WWII had separated him from his parents, the elders, and his friends. His search led to one grim discovery after another until he came to a crushing realization. Kellen was the last living Lugia. The war had claimed the rest. Devastated and bitterly lonely, the knowledge that he was the last weighed heavily on his mind. A chance meeting forever changed their lives and intertwined their destinies.

Born to loving parents from an ancient bloodline, Kellen had many friends in his youth. Thanks to their small population, every Lugia knew the other by name, and was aware of their affairs. Patient and careful to plan things out, Kellen didn’t go looking for trouble, although he was a bit of a renegade. Venturing further than others his age, he liked to observe humans and felt it was best to understand them, if Lugias were going to share the world with them. He witnessed the onward march of technology, from sail to steam. Unfortunately, this led to an increasing number of close calls. He developed a fear and distrust of humans. This was only reinforced after several friends died. In the 20th century, it became clear Lugias faced extinction. Humanity was, very ironically, their only hope. Rather than shelter in ancient abodes and wait for the coming war to blow over, Kellen wisely built his abode elsewhere. His isolation and willingness to break tradition allowed him to survive.

Born to a teen mother who was unable to take care of her, Kendra’s existence was a mistake. Taken in by a Boston orphanage, she knew next to nothing about her mother and nothing about her father. Growing up during the Great Depression, Kendra was taught how to survive early on and made do with very little. Brunette and thin, she was street smart, observant, and good at improvising. Holding held her head high as she trudged through life, Kendra knew she was at the bottom of the barrel. Still, she kept her dignity. Working in restaurant kitchens and other small businesses, juggling her various jobs and school became impossible. She never finished high school and had few friends. After a few short-term relationships with boys went sour, Kendra figured she was better off alone. When WWII broke out, she found work in a Massachusetts shipyard. Taught how to weld, she partook in the Emergency Shipbuilding Program. Starting in 1941, she helped construct merchant vessels and destroyer escorts.

Schedules were fast and the work was hard, but wages were good. Kendra applied herself and strived to learn. For once in her life, Kendra was highly respected and someone of importance. By 1946, the war was over. Rather than build ships, she used her blowtorch and honed skills to scrap them. Buying herself a small house and a car, the war marked a turning point in her life. All around her, men were returning home and getting married. Every single woman she knew was finding a man and having kids. Thanks to her bad experiences, Kendra was inwardly afraid of men. Except for one. Henry Brandt, a fellow welder and beatnik. Viewing him as more a mentor than a friend, he listened to Kendra and understood her. She found herself fending off pushy servicemen left and right. No one bothered her so much as Brad Haldane. A war hero turned scrap dealer. Despite her best attempts to tell him off, he refused to leave her alone. Burying herself in her work, she was nonetheless lonely. She wasn’t rich, but she had a little house, and she wasn’t starving anymore. But what was the point of having all that if she had no one to share it with?

One day, Kendra noticed a peculiar object in storefront window. A glossy white ocarina. Curious, she bought the ocarina and taught herself how to play it. Kendra’s tunes were distant. Longing. Almost sad. A reflection of her innermost feelings. She’d frequently drive to the beach, away from the crowded city. Halibut Point was a favorite retreat. Playing the ocarina beneath the stars as the ocean lapped at her feet, Kendra had no way of knowing Kellen was nearby. Hearing her tune, he tentatively replied underwater. A low, almost mournful call resembling that of a whale. Taken aback at first, the two went back and forth. Kendra playing a few notes. Kellen responding. It was extraordinary! From then on, Kendra came to Halibut Point as often as she could. Others called her crazy. When she brought someone hoping to prove her sanity, Kellen stayed silent. When she was alone, he’d reply.

Curious and knowing he had her attention, Kellen observed Kendra’s day-to-day activities and concocted a plan to introduce himself. Overhearing her name, he decided to meet this mystery woman in person. Albeit in disguise. Kellen appeared in the form of a man. Brunette and toned, but not overly built up. He didn’t want to appear larger than life and scare her off. Introducing himself by name, Kendra didn’t seem to think much of him at first. Just another needy serviceman, surely. Needing to blend in among humans, and wanting to be closer to Kendra, Kellen found work in the shipyard. Over the course of two years, Kendra warmed up to Kellen, and he to her. After a while the Lugia knew it in his heart. She was the one for him. Choosing patience, he didn’t want to blow this opportunity to not only save his species, but to share his domain with someone he’d come to love. Living as a human was difficult and Kellen had much to learn. But Kendra was worth it.

Hendry, now their mutual friend, encouraged them individually to follow their hearts. He felt they had something special between them. As if they were meant to be. In 1951, Kendra confessed her true feelings to Kellen. She loved him, as he loved her. That year, Kellen felt the time had come to reveal his true self. Taking her a sea cave at Halibut Point, the Lugia reverted to his true form. Kendra was understandably shocked and afraid at first, but she didn’t run away. Much to Kellen’s relief, she took the revelation surprisingly well. Kendra had longed to travel the seas. She built countless ships but had never gone anywhere. She didn’t want to spend the rest of her life alone. When Kellen offered to answer all her questions, she accepted without a second thought. It sounded exciting! Venturing into the ocean’s depths, they entered Kellen’s abode. A cavern filled with wonderous oceanic treasures. Colorful corals, pearls, and other shimmering gems.

With the help of his memory pearl, Kellen proceeded to tell her everything. Exactly who he was, what his role in nature was, what he was capable of, and the history of Lugias. The responsibilities on their shoulders were immense. Balancing the world’s climate was a delicate, demanding affair. Despite that, the sea was vast and parts of it remained unexplored, even by him. There was so much to see. To learn. Moreover, he loved Kendra from the bottom of his heart. He possessed the ability to transfigure her if she was willing. To become a Lugia herself, to become his equal, at the price of surrendering her humanity permanently. He'd wanted her as a mate for some time now. The choice was ultimately hers to make. Kendra didn’t need much time to think it over. The life of a Lugia sounded challenging, absolutely. She’d have to learn fast. What exactly was she leaving behind? Kendra’s own mother called her a mistake. All her life, she’d been a nobody. Scraping and struggling. Going hungry. Even stealing at times. Well, no more.

Kendra happily accepted Kellen’s offer. She’d do her best. The Lugia was overjoyed, and the couple embraced. Before getting too ahead of themselves, they felt it was wise to cover their tracks as opposed to vanishing inexplicably. Kendra sold her house and belongings, then she and Kellen quit their jobs at the shipyard. Spinning a story that they were moving far away, to California, everyone bought it. Before she and Kellen disappeared into the sea, Kendra took Henry Brandt aside. Being the one person who stuck with her and acted as her confidant, she felt he deserved to know the truth. Ever humble and supportive, Henry encouraged Kendra to go. Follow her heart. Brad Haldane, still attracted to Kendra despite being married by this point, was told off by her, Kellen, and Henry for the last time.

“What’s that sour sack Kellen got that I don’t?”

“If only you knew.” was Kendra’s reply.

“A heart? A brain? A clue, maybe?” Henry smirked.

“What about fidelity?” Kellen added.

Returning to Kellen’s cave, Kendra surrendered her humanity, allowing herself to be transfigured into a Lugia. Adjusting to her new body and life took years. Ever by her side and patient, Kellen taught her all he knew. When confronted with something they didn’t know, the memory pearl was consulted. Indeed, the life of a Lugia was challenging. The oceans and climate required constant vigilance and subtle adjustments. Kendra’s powers were unrefined and required refinement. Avoiding detection meant she could never drop her guard. There were bigger creatures lurking around. Some of which weren’t friendly. Even so, nothing was more rewarding than diving to the darkest depths and soaring effortlessly through the sky. Kendra applied herself and learned fast, as she always did. Kellen was a wonderful teacher. In his element, the male Lugia was swift, powerful, and confident. Most of what Kendra needed to learn he was born with. It came naturally to him.

Once she found her unique rhythm, how her individual powers worked and her body responded, Kendra found herself. This was who she was meant to be. This was where she belonged. Through all the trials and tribulations, Kellen and Kendra shared a powerful bond. A love deeper than the darkest trench. When together, their hearts soared higher than they ever could, reaching far off into the stars. Becoming proper mates, they marked the occasion by putting on a display; the likes of which hadn’t been seen in millennia. Columns of water, raging winds, cloud formations, shimmering rainbows; a display of nature’s savagery and beauty. The sheer power of a Lugia, and the strength of a Lugia’s bond.

Before either Lugia knew it, ten years had passed. It was 1962. Established in her new life and knowing what to do, Kendra wondered what became of her old friend Henry Brandt. Having done so much for her while she was human, he was the one source of guilt which plagued her heart. Kellen had also wondered. Fortunately, finding him wasn’t a challenge. Henry married, had two sons, and found work on a fishing boat, which paid better than the scrapyard. He hadn’t told a soul the truth about his friends and had always wondered how they were doing. Using telepathy to speak to him directly, and not alert his crewmates, they arranged a meeting on Plum Island. There on the beach of Plum Island, Henry Brandt was reunited with his old friends. At his request, the Lugias allowed him to introduce his wife to them. Henry’s wife, Leslie, was fearful at first, but she came to understand after a bit of explanation. The two pairs spent the day catching up on their respective lives.

Before parting ways, Kellen and Kendra agreed to have a photograph taken of them. To commemorate their relationship. Henry frequently encountered his friends at sea, sharing telepathic conversations. In 1964, Kendra discovered she was pregnant. When the time came, she wanted Henry and Leslie to be present. She felt they’d earned the honor. The following year, with Kellen, Henry, and Leslie beside her, she gave birth to twins. A son and a daughter. Kaden and Camille. In time, Kellen and Kendra’s children came to know Henry and Leslie’s sons. Decades passed and the two families remained intertwined. Meeting and communicating in secret. Going on many adventures with the Brandts in tow, the adult Lugias passed the torch from one generation to the next.

Description

I’ve never attempted to create such a complicated drawing before. After hours of work and a day well spent, I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out! I will say the drawing looks better in person. The scanner didn’t capture all the finer details. Now I need to rest my hand and resharpen all my colored pencils.

These are Kellen and Kendra. A pair of Lugias enjoying a day at the beach on Plum Island, Massachusetts, sometime in 1962. The picture was taken by a friend of Kendra’s, a man named Henry Brandt. Who is perhaps the only human to know the entirety of her and Kellen’s story.

Kellen was born in 1425 A.D. in an undersea cave, somewhere east of the Japanese archipelago. His age, 537 years in 1962, is evident in his somewhat spotty plumage. As far as Lugias go, Kellen is still young and in his prime years. He is the last ‘true’ Lugia in existence, meaning he has no human heritage whatsoever. He’s the last of a pure bloodline dating back millions of years.

Kendra was originally human, born in 1924 to an unknown mother in Boston, Massachusetts. Her second birthday, when she became a Lugia, occurred in 1952. Being significantly younger than Kellen, only 38 years in 1962, her plumage is speckled with silver. Spotty plumage comes with age. Her green eyes, unseen in true Lugias, are a carryover from her human heritage. It’s the only trace of her humanity. She is not a true Lugia as she was born a human. Nevertheless, she possesses every power and ability Kellen does. She is his equal.

Regarding Lugias, they are large oceanic creatures. Standing just over 17 feet tall, they’re remarkably lightweight for their size at 500 to 600 pounds. Possessing lungs to breathe air, they can absorb oxygen from surrounding water through their skin. Eliminating the need to surface for air and allowing them to remain submerged indefinitely. Externally, males and females appear identical. However, males have a lighter blue chest than females, which is a darker blue. This, and their differing voice pitches, is often the only way differentiator. Male Lugias have greater muscle mass than females and are physically stronger, although females possess stronger bones to compensate for the strain of pregnancy. As a result, males and females typically weigh the same.

In terms of daily life, Lugias live in isolated undersea caverns beneath volcanic islands or in abyssal trenches. Far from human influence. Possessing sleek, streamlined bodies, Lugias can cruise through water at high speed over vast distances. Up to 20,000 miles a day. Capable of flight, they’re extremely agile in the air and can soar to altitudes of 30,000 feet. When walking on land, Lugias can use their wings as makeshift forelegs, enabling them to gallop or walk as a quadruped. They’re impressive jumpers and are very light on their feet. The ‘hands’ at the ends of their wings are dexterous, allowing them to easily pick up and move objects.

Thanks to a dense layer of fat, thick plumage, and a sturdy skeleton, they’re impervious to oceanic pressure and frigid temperatures. No part of the ocean is out of reach. When out of water and dry, their plumage stands up and becomes somewhat floofy. When wet or submerged, their plumage lies flat and hugs their skin. Keen eyes and sensory abilities allow them to pierce through darkness. Able to sense pressure differences in water, this allows them to ‘hear’ just about anything underwater. A sensitive nose aids them in hunting and avoiding danger both above and below water. Because they spend most of their lives in the sea, their carnivorous diet consists primarily of squid, fish, crabs, and turtles.

In terms of courtship, Lugias mate for life and are loyal to their respective partner. If one dies, the other will stay single for the remainder of their life. Lugias are viviparous and reproduce through live birth, like mammals. Gestation lasts 12 months. Unlike mammals, they don’t nurse their young. Instead, parents feed their young small bits of soft food, like birds. Lugias are highly protective, loving parents who will kill to protect their offspring. Parents often spar with their offspring, to familiarize them with their powers and teach them to defend themselves. Despite reaching their adult size and sexual maturity by age 20, Lugias wait until the latter centuries of their lives to produce offspring. This enables the parents to pass on a lifetime of knowledge and experience.

Lugias lifespans are incredibly long. Kellen’s grandparents lived over 5,000 years before they died of natural causes. They live for millennia and witness a great deal of change in their lives. Extremely intelligent and boasting incredible memory, Lugias tend to remember nearly all they see. They can speak telepathically, directly into another’s mind, or use their vocal cords, as humans do. This eliminates any potential language barrier. To ensure knowledge is preserved for future generations and nothing is lost, Lugias store memories inside ‘memory pearls.’ A memory pearl is a spherical, milky pearl the size of a basketball. Each Lugia possesses a memory pearl inside their abode, which contains a copy of that Lugia’s memories. Memories can be accessed at any time by anyone. The viewer experiences the memories in the same manner they were made. They see, hear, and feel everything the memory’s maker did. Re-experiences are visceral and intense, regardless of how long ago the memory was made.

The most mysterious aspect about Lugias are their aforementioned powers. The ability to influence oceans and weather on a global scale. Changes to Earth’s climate can be made or reversed at will. Their offensive capabilities are second to none. A Lugia can lift and crush massive rocks or entire ships using psychic powers even they themselves don’t fully understand. From their gaping mouths, a Lugia can produce and fire a column of compressed air powerful enough to split skyscrapers like matchsticks. Alternatively, a Lugia can fire a column of water from their gaping mouths with enough pressure to cleave through solid rock. Lastly, a Lugia can divebomb and charge enemies head on, body slamming them at supersonic speed. To shield themselves from unfriendly eyes in more recent centuries, Lugias learned how to transfigure themselves into humans and turn invisible. Enabling them to vanish completely or hide in plain sight.

Lugias must always be mindful of themselves, their emotions. Sadness will cause rain to fall. Anger will spawn hurricanes, tornadoes, and rough seas. Flapping their wings too strongly could whip up winds strong enough to flatten houses or create a storm surge. They learn from an early age to control their emotions and restrain their powers. If they don’t, their powers will control them. Lugias don’t fear their powers. Rather, they respect them and exercise self-control. They respect their ability to cause great harm and calamity. If control is lost, a raging Lugia is unstoppable. Normally, Lugias are benevolent and despise violence. While they try to avoid trouble, they will defend themselves if necessary.

The emergence and rise of humanity presented a significant threat to the Lugias. Their population was always small, 15 to 20 at any time. Combined with their extremely low birthrate, the death of any Lugia is a devastating loss. As humans tamed the seas and filled in the blank spaces on their maps, the Lugias hid themselves away. Sadly, hiding wasn’t enough. One by one, their population dwindled. Caught between warring nations or picked off by explorers, hunters, and poachers alike. Despite their tremendous power, Lugias are not invincible to blunt force trauma, harpoons, bullets, or explosives.

The last five elder Lugias, including Kellen’s parents, knew their species faced extinction. Entire bloodlines were being lost. Even worse, WWII was heating up all around them. Something needed to be done if their species was to survive. If the worse came to pass, if the Lugias became extinct, there would be no one to regulate Earth’s climate or seas. What they came up with was desperate, although it ensured the Lugias would not perish completely. Humanity was their destroyer, and their unlikely savior.

Repurposing their transfiguration powers, they could transfigure a willing human into a Lugia. The transfigured human gained the powers and abilities of the Lugia that transfigured them. The former human is their equal. Although, there was a catch. Each Lugia can only perform the transfiguration once. A Lugia who transfigures a human is bound to that human, just as that human is bound to them. They share a soul, a life force. If one dies, the other will die as well. The final hurdle was finding the right human to transfigure. To find love in the very species which brought to Lugias to ruination and necessitated such drastic choices.

Kellen and Kendra met at Halibut Point, Massachusetts in 1949. 25 years old, Kendra’s life seemed to be stuck in neutral, despite being financially comfortable. Kellen, at 524 years old, had scoured the seas in search of his kin. WWII had separated him from his parents, the elders, and his friends. His search led to one grim discovery after another until he came to a crushing realization. Kellen was the last living Lugia. The war had claimed the rest. Devastated and bitterly lonely, the knowledge that he was the last weighed heavily on his mind. A chance meeting forever changed their lives and intertwined their destinies.

Born to loving parents from an ancient bloodline, Kellen had many friends in his youth. Thanks to their small population, every Lugia knew the other by name, and was aware of their affairs. Patient and careful to plan things out, Kellen didn’t go looking for trouble, although he was a bit of a renegade. Venturing further than others his age, he liked to observe humans and felt it was best to understand them, if Lugias were going to share the world with them. He witnessed the onward march of technology, from sail to steam. Unfortunately, this led to an increasing number of close calls. He developed a fear and distrust of humans. This was only reinforced after several friends died. In the 20th century, it became clear Lugias faced extinction. Humanity was, very ironically, their only hope. Rather than shelter in ancient abodes and wait for the coming war to blow over, Kellen wisely built his abode elsewhere. His isolation and willingness to break tradition allowed him to survive.

Born to a teen mother who was unable to take care of her, Kendra’s existence was a mistake. Taken in by a Boston orphanage, she knew next to nothing about her mother and nothing about her father. Growing up during the Great Depression, Kendra was taught how to survive early on and made do with very little. Brunette and thin, she was street smart, observant, and good at improvising. Holding held her head high as she trudged through life, Kendra knew she was at the bottom of the barrel. Still, she kept her dignity. Working in restaurant kitchens and other small businesses, juggling her various jobs and school became impossible. She never finished high school and had few friends. After a few short-term relationships with boys went sour, Kendra figured she was better off alone. When WWII broke out, she found work in a Massachusetts shipyard. Taught how to weld, she partook in the Emergency Shipbuilding Program. Starting in 1941, she helped construct merchant vessels and destroyer escorts.

Schedules were fast and the work was hard, but wages were good. Kendra applied herself and strived to learn. For once in her life, Kendra was highly respected and someone of importance. By 1946, the war was over. Rather than build ships, she used her blowtorch and honed skills to scrap them. Buying herself a small house and a car, the war marked a turning point in her life. All around her, men were returning home and getting married. Every single woman she knew was finding a man and having kids. Thanks to her bad experiences, Kendra was inwardly afraid of men. Except for one. Henry Brandt, a fellow welder and beatnik. Viewing him as more a mentor than a friend, he listened to Kendra and understood her. She found herself fending off pushy servicemen left and right. No one bothered her so much as Brad Haldane. A war hero turned scrap dealer. Despite her best attempts to tell him off, he refused to leave her alone. Burying herself in her work, she was nonetheless lonely. She wasn’t rich, but she had a little house, and she wasn’t starving anymore. But what was the point of having all that if she had no one to share it with?

One day, Kendra noticed a peculiar object in storefront window. A glossy white ocarina. Curious, she bought the ocarina and taught herself how to play it. Kendra’s tunes were distant. Longing. Almost sad. A reflection of her innermost feelings. She’d frequently drive to the beach, away from the crowded city. Halibut Point was a favorite retreat. Playing the ocarina beneath the stars as the ocean lapped at her feet, Kendra had no way of knowing Kellen was nearby. Hearing her tune, he tentatively replied underwater. A low, almost mournful call resembling that of a whale. Taken aback at first, the two went back and forth. Kendra playing a few notes. Kellen responding. It was extraordinary! From then on, Kendra came to Halibut Point as often as she could. Others called her crazy. When she brought someone hoping to prove her sanity, Kellen stayed silent. When she was alone, he’d reply.

Curious and knowing he had her attention, Kellen observed Kendra’s day-to-day activities and concocted a plan to introduce himself. Overhearing her name, he decided to meet this mystery woman in person. Albeit in disguise. Kellen appeared in the form of a man. Brunette and toned, but not overly built up. He didn’t want to appear larger than life and scare her off. Introducing himself by name, Kendra didn’t seem to think much of him at first. Just another needy serviceman, surely. Needing to blend in among humans, and wanting to be closer to Kendra, Kellen found work in the shipyard. Over the course of two years, Kendra warmed up to Kellen, and he to her. After a while the Lugia knew it in his heart. She was the one for him. Choosing patience, he didn’t want to blow this opportunity to not only save his species, but to share his domain with someone he’d come to love. Living as a human was difficult and Kellen had much to learn. But Kendra was worth it.

Hendry, now their mutual friend, encouraged them individually to follow their hearts. He felt they had something special between them. As if they were meant to be. In 1951, Kendra confessed her true feelings to Kellen. She loved him, as he loved her. That year, Kellen felt the time had come to reveal his true self. Taking her a sea cave at Halibut Point, the Lugia reverted to his true form. Kendra was understandably shocked and afraid at first, but she didn’t run away. Much to Kellen’s relief, she took the revelation surprisingly well. Kendra had longed to travel the seas. She built countless ships but had never gone anywhere. She didn’t want to spend the rest of her life alone. When Kellen offered to answer all her questions, she accepted without a second thought. It sounded exciting! Venturing into the ocean’s depths, they entered Kellen’s abode. A cavern filled with wonderous oceanic treasures. Colorful corals, pearls, and other shimmering gems.

With the help of his memory pearl, Kellen proceeded to tell her everything. Exactly who he was, what his role in nature was, what he was capable of, and the history of Lugias. The responsibilities on their shoulders were immense. Balancing the world’s climate was a delicate, demanding affair. Despite that, the sea was vast and parts of it remained unexplored, even by him. There was so much to see. To learn. Moreover, he loved Kendra from the bottom of his heart. He possessed the ability to transfigure her if she was willing. To become a Lugia herself, to become his equal, at the price of surrendering her humanity permanently. He'd wanted her as a mate for some time now. The choice was ultimately hers to make. Kendra didn’t need much time to think it over. The life of a Lugia sounded challenging, absolutely. She’d have to learn fast. What exactly was she leaving behind? Kendra’s own mother called her a mistake. All her life, she’d been a nobody. Scraping and struggling. Going hungry. Even stealing at times. Well, no more.

Kendra happily accepted Kellen’s offer. She’d do her best. The Lugia was overjoyed, and the couple embraced. Before getting too ahead of themselves, they felt it was wise to cover their tracks as opposed to vanishing inexplicably. Kendra sold her house and belongings, then she and Kellen quit their jobs at the shipyard. Spinning a story that they were moving far away, to California, everyone bought it. Before she and Kellen disappeared into the sea, Kendra took Henry Brandt aside. Being the one person who stuck with her and acted as her confidant, she felt he deserved to know the truth. Ever humble and supportive, Henry encouraged Kendra to go. Follow her heart. Brad Haldane, still attracted to Kendra despite being married by this point, was told off by her, Kellen, and Henry for the last time.

“What’s that sour sack Kellen got that I don’t?”

“If only you knew.” was Kendra’s reply.

“A heart? A brain? A clue, maybe?” Henry smirked.

“What about fidelity?” Kellen added.

Returning to Kellen’s cave, Kendra surrendered her humanity, allowing herself to be transfigured into a Lugia. Adjusting to her new body and life took years. Ever by her side and patient, Kellen taught her all he knew. When confronted with something they didn’t know, the memory pearl was consulted. Indeed, the life of a Lugia was challenging. The oceans and climate required constant vigilance and subtle adjustments. Kendra’s powers were unrefined and required refinement. Avoiding detection meant she could never drop her guard. There were bigger creatures lurking around. Some of which weren’t friendly. Even so, nothing was more rewarding than diving to the darkest depths and soaring effortlessly through the sky. Kendra applied herself and learned fast, as she always did. Kellen was a wonderful teacher. In his element, the male Lugia was swift, powerful, and confident. Most of what Kendra needed to learn he was born with. It came naturally to him.

Once she found her unique rhythm, how her individual powers worked and her body responded, Kendra found herself. This was who she was meant to be. This was where she belonged. Through all the trials and tribulations, Kellen and Kendra shared a powerful bond. A love deeper than the darkest trench. When together, their hearts soared higher than they ever could, reaching far off into the stars. Becoming proper mates, they marked the occasion by putting on a display; the likes of which hadn’t been seen in millennia. Columns of water, raging winds, cloud formations, shimmering rainbows; a display of nature’s savagery and beauty. The sheer power of a Lugia, and the strength of a Lugia’s bond.

Before either Lugia knew it, ten years had passed. It was 1962. Established in her new life and knowing what to do, Kendra wondered what became of her old friend Henry Brandt. Having done so much for her while she was human, he was the one source of guilt which plagued her heart. Kellen had also wondered. Fortunately, finding him wasn’t a challenge. Henry married, had two sons, and found work on a fishing boat, which paid better than the scrapyard. He hadn’t told a soul the truth about his friends and had always wondered how they were doing. Using telepathy to speak to him directly, and not alert his crewmates, they arranged a meeting on Plum Island. There on the beach of Plum Island, Henry Brandt was reunited with his old friends. At his request, the Lugias allowed him to introduce his wife to them. Henry’s wife, Leslie, was fearful at first, but she came to understand after a bit of explanation. The two pairs spent the day catching up on their respective lives.

Before parting ways, Kellen and Kendra agreed to have a photograph taken of them. To commemorate their relationship. Henry frequently encountered his friends at sea, sharing telepathic conversations. In 1964, Kendra discovered she was pregnant. When the time came, she wanted Henry and Leslie to be present. She felt they’d earned the honor. The following year, with Kellen, Henry, and Leslie beside her, she gave birth to twins. A son and a daughter. Kaden and Camille. In time, Kellen and Kendra’s children came to know Henry and Leslie’s sons. Decades passed and the two families remained intertwined. Meeting and communicating in secret. Going on many adventures with the Brandts in tow, the adult Lugias passed the torch from one generation to the next.