Work Text:
If life was valued by living, Volo was uncertain if he was a pauper. His pockets were full, but his wishes were empty. Through frozen tracks and soiled boots, he dragged himself through the 3PM sun, clutching the straps on his bag as if they were hands long gone. Kotobuki’s gate bidding him and his work goodbye was just a few meters away.
“Hey, wait!” A child raced to him, clutching his sleeve. “Do you have potions left? M-My Kolink isn’t feeling well.”
Volo looked at the bundle of fur with cheeks flushed purple stumbling on the ground, then back to the boy who didn’t look any wiser than he was at that age. With a forced smile, he leaned forward and waved a finger. “Oh? What you need is a revive!”
The boy gasped. “W-Wait I don’t have enough money! I have to ask more from-“
Volo burst into laughter. It was a good shield against a sight that made his teeth grit. The poor Pokémon couldn’t take one more step before fainting.
“What?”
“You’re making a Gingko merchant’s job too easy.” Volo shook his head as he plopped his items down. The sound of glass sliding against each other reverberated from the bag, but he retrieved something else. “Your Kolink is poisoned. It needs an antidote, but this momon fruit will do.”
“How much?”
“Keep it.” Volo grinned and crossed his arms. “Consider it help from your future regular!”
Immediately being fed the berry, Kolink perked up and stretched its legs. Sighs of relief escaped the boy’s mouth as he hugged his Pokémon. “Thank you so much, Gingko sir!”
“No problem!” Volo knelt down, offering a hand to the Kolink who began to nip his palm as a form of endearment. Landlos would appreciate this…
Nearby, other pairs of eyes stared Volo down, coming from those Gingko guild merchants who were cleaning up shop from the cart. Another disappointment for sold merchandise, perhaps. But Volo was an opportunistic man, preferring to invest rather than have instant profit. It was an unusual sight to see a little boy with a Pokémon anyway. Maybe one day the tike would grow up to have more to bring than just coins.
With that in mind, Volo responded to the judgment with ease, by standing up to readjust his hat, certain that his heart was in the right place as he left the village with not one glance to spare.
When Kotobuki became a dot against the never-ending conifers, it was time to go back to dreaming. Volo released Togepy from its confinement, so they can play the game of who can first find what was behind the sun, what made the snow cold, or what was inside the clouds. Mistress said that there were unique forces, spirits that moved the sky, that made water flow, and caused life, including people to bloom and wither…
But there were also days when Mistress felt more like a puzzle than human being. Her answers about the spirits were always a ‘was’, always a ‘something’… but what about an ‘is?’ or an ‘it?’
Volo sighed at another normal day. Neither he nor Togepy won the game, but both still bowed to acknowledge the landscape, in a way that would make the average Hisuian (or “outsider” as Volo would prefer to call them), think they were pitiful. They were wrong. He still had hope.
Hope… a word that Volo loved as much as he thought hope hated him.
“Mistress said they’re here somewhere. We just have to pay respects.” Volo told Togepy when the latter yawned. He picked up the little egg and cradled her in his tired arms. The way the Pokémon squinted with each pat made his bag feel less heavy. “Just hang on a little bit, one more stop.”
After a couple more hours of trekking past Mt. Tengan, they finally arrived at the Kannagi Ruins. Volo discarded his Gingko uniform, tossing the cap aside to let his blond hair flow as loose as the ivory chiton he donned specifically for Shin’ō. Hisuian nights crept as early as 4pm when the skies began to bleed pink.
Hope turned to longing when Volo heard the stone path crack with every step. He tapped it again to imagine what it could have sounded like when its purpose was to be walked on by those he missed dearly, and not for the moss to grow around it.
Two large spears rose from the earth: remnants of a lost greeting. Volo wondered what exactly was the beam that used to link those two, but it was a thought left fruitless as he bowed before crossing the gate.
The end of the ruins marked what was left of Almighty Shin’ō, Volo’s Shin’ō, the one he built a makeshift water station for, just to purify himself before prodding the sacred space. He got the trough from an old farm in Kotobuki. The wooden ladle was one he that carved out of willful hands, during a time when Mistress told him he had been wasting his time beating a dead Ayashishi, instead of fulfilling his duties to the Gingko.
“This is for you too, Mistress,” Volo said as he washed his hands and rinsed his mouth. He poured water for Togepy and flashed the Pokémon a soft smile. That day, his wish after their offerings would be for Togepy’s growth.
Soon, merchant and Pokémon found their way to the prayer hall, which looked more like a ravaged shack, judging from the dead log sprawled in front of the pile of rocks, that could have been another statue of sorts. The only thing standing was the one year-old wooden box Volo placed on the ground to contain his offerings, which were probably a bounty at that moment.
Two remaining walls housed it, each with their own rubble and stories to never be discovered. Volo tried not disgrace himself with a frown as he fished for two coins in his pocket, one for him and one for Togepy. They were profits he cut routinely from the Gingko, but he argued it was for a good cause.
“You know what to do?” he asked Togepy as he eyed the box.
“Pi!”
“Good girl!” Volo praised. “Alright, on the count of three. One, two-“
And they threw the coins.
But something sounded wrong.
The echo was too strong, as the container was likely empty. Volo’s knuckles turned white. He bowed three times, with two claps in-between the second and third before darting towards the box. Three hundred days’ worth of offerings were back down to one.
He dipped his head, clapping twice again to cling onto hope… hope that the sound would make the ground rumble, for wind to greet his skin, anyone, anything unusual to make him know that his suffering was some divine intervention.
Again, normal.
“Shō-Chiku-Bai…” Volo spat on the sisters’ names with disgust, there were no other culprit, they were the beggars and he was the target. He also remembered that he gave the little boy hours ago a free berry, so why was he greeted back with theft?
“I wish for Landlos to give Shō-Chiku-Bai one night of hunger,” Volo murmured. He thought the hardship was a test from the forces to confirm that he was the better man. After all, he knew he had more than those sisters. To call thieves resilient instead of barbaric was blasphemy. It was no mystery that they were in poverty, they were being punished because of their disrespect for stealing from the Almighty Shin’ō.
That must have been it. He hoped that was it. He was being tested because he himself was unusual: one of the only two in Hisui who knew how to spell Arceus, the last blood of Shin’ō, the man clad in a chiton instead of a kimono, these were blessings disguised as his misery. Volo swallowed the idea like a bitter pill, and wondered when they would all be repaid, as if life were a business… even when in his heart he knew life itself was unfair.
When he felt a weak tug on his sandals, he was shook out of his silent rage. Togepy’s smile made his own meaningless, as it reminded him that he used another wish to spite than to be kind…
'May this egg relieve you, and I hope it does...’ Mistress’ words mocked Volo’s flaws, because Togepy was Volo’s sanctuary: his only proof that Almighty Shin’ō had a heart, as it evolved through kindness. Throughout Volo’s life it was the opposite. Sorrows sparked his fire.
He blinked a few times. Shin’ō must be disappointed in him.
“I… I’m sorry…” Volo sighed, angry that his pain made him lose his offerings to both the Almighty Shin’ō, and Togepy. Who was the disrespectful one in reality? Perhaps he truly was the pauper all along… How long can he stand it? Only his dreams could answer.
“I promise I’ll be better.” Volo wrapped his arms around Togepy, it was his way of reassuring her. He then planned to take her to the photographer the next day. A picture would be a good way to remind him of a duty that was much greater than the Gingko.
“I’ll do everything to ask almighty Shin’ō why I’m like this… so you won’t have to.”
Was rain really rain? Or was it the clouds crying? The storm might be Voltolos’ tears when rifts began to taint the horizon. Back in Kotobuki, Volo saw the dark splotches as if they were his brush strokes. Hisui was surrounded by his work-in-progress, soon to be a masterpiece of a painting. Nevermind Voltolos if it truly were in grief. It was normal to suffer anyway, Volo argued.
“I wonder what those whirls are… is it the Diamond clan’s Almighty Shin’ō?”
“Don’t go near them!”
“Don’t talk bad about it! What if it’s a spirit? You might get cursed!”
Words around spilled from strangers’ whispers, and Volo danced to the music. Being worthy of gossip, to think that he was assumed to be unique, a force of nature, a creator of sorts… it was exhilarating. Little did those people knew that the answers were in his bag, the most interesting thing Volo ever found: a plate of chaos.
But one day, there was another unique find. Who knew humans could be raindrops? The clouds shed tears for who you once were, as it sent you down to earth with a blank mind. When your name reached Volo’s ears, he knew he had to meet you. You weren’t a part of his painting after all, so maybe you were the true divine, the walking shrine.
He began to think of the things he could offer to you, maybe some potions? A Pokéball? Revives? Or coins? Or maybe even his wishes. To give you reverence was of utmost priority. Almighty Shin’ō would appreciate that…
So before he even talked to you, he made sure to wish you well.
And on a quiet afternoon, he saw you from the corner of his eye, walking around town like a poor wretch. At first you seemed unassuming. Volo could already tell he towered over you, which was mundane since people liked to call him a pretty tree.
But then you wore clothes similar to the one he dons to his place of worship: both were unknown, even outlandish to the average Hisuian. You were shunned, pitied, struggling to come to terms with your new world, similar to how Volo agonized his own.
“Oh, what a curious getup you have there. I can already tell you’re quite the character!” He said, head turning towards you the closer you got. He introduced himself, in a jovial manner that was so calculated. His voice brimmed with hope as he began to piece you together. Could it be? Are y-
“Oh, and you’ve a pokemon!” Like my Togepy! He failed to organize his thoughts, too excited at the things you had in common as he projected himself into you. The more you reminded Volo of himself, the more he was convinced you were sent by Almighty Shin’o, to tell him that after all those years, he was part of what was worthy. His reverie was a taste away. “You’re certainly full of interesting surprises…”
And he was right when the time he met you turned to 3 days ago, then a week, and people began to talk of your unusual strength. Volo always made sure to take you under his wing, to teach you his techniques, to wash his hands before touching your shoulder, to rinse his mouth when your name graced his lips.
Maybe Volo hated to admit it, but he knew things you didn’t know about yourself. You threw your Pokéball at a specific angle. Your lip always pursed at the mention of Tsubaki, and there was a tiny stain on the fabric of your top, near the curve of your neck…
Sometimes Volo could even feel his breath hitch and his heart skip whenever he heard news about you. He didn’t know if he was one to blush, but maybe he could try.
...
More days went by. He gave you items more and more, but saw less of you more and more. He heard you travelled extensively for the Ginga-dan. There were instances when Volo told Ginnan-san he wanted to explore Hisui, so the ones who lived remotely could get a chance to buy Gingko goods, and what a fool was anyone who believed such. The desire to know you was disguised as goodwill…
It was true for some time, but when Volo saw a plate in your hand, reality began dampen him. You fell from the sky, and he did not. You quelled the nobles, and he did not. You had the phone, and he did not. You were the chosen one: he was not. His sweetest dreams were haunted by your blessing.
The way Mistress’ eyes lit up when he mentioned you to her was a slap to the face. He began to question the main reason he liked you in the first place. There were thousands of people in Hisui, and yet the Almighty chose an outsider that had to be so similar to him…
Why can’t it be me? what do they have that I don't? I’ve suffered in this world longer. Is this another test, Arceus? That was a doubt Volo casted upon himself one day as he followed you to the Zui Ruins. A challenge from you might lead to a new discovery, as he wanted to know how he matched up to someone who was worthy of the plates.
And he relished in the way you battled until it was decided: bold, but nuanced.
“You’re quite adept at instructing your Pokemon in battle.” He took mental note of your moves and how they hit. Turns out you were a sponge, having soaked up all the knowledge, all the offerings he gave you. It made Volo feel giddy as fantasies flooded his mind. On one hand, learning from the divine was insatiable, he could build a team that would counter yours, but on the other, having the divine learn from him? Now that was intoxicating. He had power over you. He was coaxed to be above God. Cathartic. Enjoyable. Fun. “My goodness, that was fun!”
So he healed your pokemon as another offering. Thank you Almighty Shin’ō! I appreciated it.
Eventually, he got off his high when the day ended, bidding his farewell. It was time for another twilight of worship at the Kannagi Ruins. After changing into his chiton, he released Togepy from its ball. Maybe he shouldn’t have done so, as his stomach suddenly twisted…
He realized he forgot to nurse his own pokemon back to health. You distracted him. It had been half a day, and the little egg was still covered in scratches and bruises that would heal, but not the scars of neglect that cut beyond its shell.
How can you be a God when you can’t even take care of Fukamaru and Togepy?! The voices in Volo’s mind abused him. He sat under a dying Oak tree that was shedding its leaves, then he scrambled for a potion while holding Togepy in place: another instance of abusing the Gingko’s stocks for his own gain, only this recent one was unintentional.
“P-Pi…” Togepy squeaked, too weak to even cry as she tried to release herself from Volo’s grasp.
“Please sit still,” Volo said, careful not to let loathing get the best of him as his thumb pressed on the purple patches. He struggled to dab the herb-laced cloth when Togepy swiped it away. “Hey girl… What’s wrong?”
Togepy stared at the price tag on the potion, and it reminded Volo of how Mistress used to berate him for burdening Ginnan-san. I’ve hurt you and you still think about my debt..!?
“No, no! It’s okay, I’ll pay him!” Volo was a good actor, his talent at smiling made Togepy’s eyes water. There was pure compassion behind the lies. “A good merchant keeps his savings!”
“Piii!”
He didn’t understand why Togepy was so stubborn, jumping free from his arms, making the potion spill as a result. The small boulders around them shattered from a Draining Kiss. Every time rubble fell Togepy would proudly glance at him. Was it trying to be stronger for him? He thought otherwise, it was probably because it lacked the courage to trounce him, so the earth became the punching bag instead.
“If you’re angry at me then hit me!” Volo’s jaw clenched as he stood up.
Togepy shook its head, waddling towards its partner-
That was it! Volo was sure. The tiny egg would unleash its infernal, infantile wrath upon his more than six-foot frame as stupid as that sounded, but still possible because she clung to his leg!
Or rather… cuddled?
“Huh?” Silver eyes widened. Volo’s left heel sank an inch into the ground. The potion drenched the soil as he retrieved Togepy from his ankle, raising her to his eye level.
“Why are you smiling? That was my last potion. Now I have nothing to give you… Like I always don’t.” The last sentence was too bitter, too true for Volo’s liking.
“Pi…”
It didn’t matter if Togepy disagreed. Volo vowed that after his worship, he would spend his wishes properly again. Perhaps he wished you too well, he should have used it for Togepy to get stronger, like he used to.
He was cut off his daze when gust suddenly encircled them, Volo knew what was going to happen, and he hated it then Togepy began to glow brighter than the moon.
Wait…what? No! Volo stared in disbelief at the white silhouette, its neck craning upwards. A pair of wings sprouted from its back until little by little, Volo felt the weight fade in his hands. The egg no longer needed his arms to reach the clouds above…
He stayed silent, staring at his empty palms after Togechick flew up. Spinning around, he tried his best to catch the angel whizzing past him.
“Chi!” the playful Togechick greeted Volo by tugging his locks, blond strands swayed loose until the tie fell off.
A moment that happened only once… one’s first pokemon evolving for the first time… It was rarer than diamonds or pearls in Hisui for a human to experience such, and yet the beautiful did not make sense. What was supposed to be ‘yes!’ turned to ‘why?’ Volo’s lip twitched as he forced himself to be chipper, he could count the times he thought he treated Togepy with kindness using two mere hands.
This was unique. Another divine intervention, he concluded. Though it was one he was disgusted at, as the sight of something that was practically his child growing up to be covered in wounds you inflicted felt sinister to him.
What are you trying to tell me, Arceus? That my Togepy needs to get hurt to evolve?! Mistress said I was supposed to make her happy! Teeth gritted and heart froze to stone as Volo snapped at the betrayal. He picked up his hair tie. You’re cruel and unfair!
The almighty no longer deserved his tears, so Volo smiled once more, then it turned to a grin, then a laugh, to bury what he was born to feel deep inside. Whatever that ugly thing was, it needed to die. The presence of an angel made Volo embrace his demons. What remained of the gust flung his hair upwards, spiraling with the fallen leaves. For a brief second, his head was in the shape of Shin’ō, and he thought his dream was an approval from the spirit of the wind: Tornelos.
“… t-to-chi?” Togechick reared its head down, a little worried.
Soon the wind was gone. Volo’s hair fell past his shoulders. He stretched his smile further, showing teeth. His hands reached for Togechick to bind her back to his arms as if it never changed form, until only his shadow was present under the faint moonlight, as if he was alone. “It’s okay! I’m happy, look!”
At least that was what he said, so Togechick leaned into him as he walked around the ruins…
Broken and battered. Nothing new was present at the prayer hall, save for the fact that the sisters had yet to infiltrate the box. After performing the usual ritual, Volo changed his wish.
He no longer wanted to raise Togechick. He just wanted a shiny stone.
And on the way back, he saw the water station near the gate. The pale skin on his palms was flaky and dry, and foul words seared the tip of his tongue: a big disgrace. Not that he cared if he didn't purify himself anymore. Did someone like him even have to? It was clear he wasn’t you, he was pathetic no matter how hard he tried.
Once Togechick was back in its ball, Volo tied his hair back to a low bun. If he was not the chosen one, then he shall be the merchant: an honorable Gingko who traded not only goods, but also virtue.
And since you broke his hope, and his heart, then he will break your trust by being your best friend.
From then onwards, whenever he saw you about to leave for the Pure White Tundra, for the Obsidian Fields, or any other place where you can get closer to achieving what he wasn’t destined for, Volo made sure to give you his left hand. The greeting wasn’t complete without showing you the same, broken smile that he gave Togechick when she evolved from your doing.
Volo was always near.
He always looked at you and said, “I wish you well.”
- fin
Author's Notes:
I've been pestered asked by same friend to abuse my philosophy masters and make an objective essay about Volo's state of mind. Fumiko-san, this is for you. I hope this is enough Volo food!
To the others who want to read this, spoiler warning! :)
[Volo's morality based on Virtue Ethics]
"You see, ever since I was young, whenever I met with something painful or heartbreaking... I couldn’t help but wonder why life was so unfair. Why I was cursed to live through such things. Of course, I imagine we all go through something like that."
This line showed that Volo's sympathy for people remained intact, even when he planned to harm their world. It was also when he was explaining his ambitions, which is the defining trait of his character, so this was not him manipulating you nor lying about his motives. At heart Volo is compassionate. On the surface this kindness would make him an "antihero".
So is he a good person? Well... no.
Aristotle's ethics stated that vices are the excess or the deficiency of a virtue. Too much good can be a bad thing.(ex. Too much courage is recklessness, too less of it is cowardice, etc.) With Volo it is always on the excess, especially when it came to anything he loved, to the point that it became overbearing. Cogito called him out on this by saying:
"Just another tale of passion burning too bright and consuming its bearer. That is what happens if you allow it to."
Volo had good in him, the problem was it was too pure, and his lack of control that made it imbalanced. It, in itself corrupted his morality. In the end, Volo even allowed it to rot further, because he used his compassion to manipulate both people and Pokémon.
He knows how to tap into other people's gratefulness by taking advantage of their suffering. It comes as no surprise that he was the one to rescue you when you were evicted from the Dia-peri Clans, and why he kept mentioning all the efforts he did for Giratina when it fled from battle. Volo is a person who keeps track of who needs him, and uses it as debt or a currency. Quite literally for a merchant like him, goodwill is also a merchandise.
Of course, that does not mean that Volo is evil and is incapable of unconditional love, quite the opposite! but there is an inclination to sway otherwise.
*****
[Volo's Utilitarian vs. Akagi's Absolute God Complex]
There is a popular conclusion that Volo's spirit lived on through Akagi, then Shimaboshi to Shirona because they switched roles, and because both Akagi and Volo wanted to create a new world. Though this is not wrong, please let me explain why I disagree.
Volo and Akagi have completely opposite thought processes.
Akagi: “I will create my perfect world!” (Absolute)
Volo: “I will create a better world!” (Utilitarian)
If you research on the dialogues between Akagi and Volo, regardless of what translation it is, Akagi will always use ultimates like "perfect" or "complete", then merge it with a possessive such as "I", "my", or "mine". His concept of a new world is based on the lawful, personal good. In a way, this can be seen as self-centered.
Volo is more vague, only using the comparative "better", and never took possession of it by using an indefinite article such as "a". His concept of a new world is based on the relative, greater good that is not only for his own, but for others as well. In a way, this can be seen as selfless, but that does not mean it's a good thing either.
Akagi acts on his own principles. Volo acts on context. This is why Akagi remains unchanging and stoic, but Volo switches his demeanours so much.
Akagi is nihilistic. In a sense he wants the world to be nothing because he believes that he knows how it works, and what is best for everyone.
Volo is existential. He wants to know and understand everything because unlike Akagi, he acknowledges his own limitations. He even asked Arceus if it had the same spirit that Akagi wants to eradicate. In Volo's own words:
"If you have any heart within you... .... what is it that you find so lacking in me!?"
Akagi emulates himself as a literal God: all-knowing, quick to judge and always assumes, while Volo remains human: curious, open and always questions (this is also why it hurts when he betrays you). You can see Volo and Akagi's core differences through their dialogues when you reject their very first battle.
When you say "no" to Akagi at the Kannagi ruins in DPPt, he says: "You chose to be a coward." - judgment.
Meanwhile Volo in Kotobuki: "But what's the point of having a Pokémon, then?" - inquiry.
Again, Cogito called out Volo on his tendencies to question and doubt when they were talking about the Red Chain with you, at the Ancient Retreat.
Volo: "Bind the world? It won't close the rift?"
Cogito: "Kindly spare me your doubts, young man. I know the old words and what they bid us do. How true they are isn't mine to know."
Volo questions again at Lake Acuity: "Why don't they just give us the red chain? Why all this running about?"
And finally and interestingly, at the Temple of Shin'ō before he battles you.
Volo: "Ever since I became convinced that Arceus really does exist..."
The fact that he needed to be convinced about Arceus, about his own ambitions, about himself... The fact that there is an implication that Volo, from the very beginning already doubted Arceus... it is bizarre if we go by the narrative that he worshipped it loyally. But it also aligns with the philosophy that Volo is a true utilitarian, because not even God, nor a higher power that he himself acknowledges, could usurp his nature to question the context, and the consequences of everything.
Another key difference between Akagi and Volo is in their dialogues before the start of their final battle.
Akagi in Platinum: "I won't lose! Not to that shadowy Pokémon, Not in any worthless world!"
Volo in Legends: "If you want to keep this world from disappearing, then face me in battle!"
Notice how Akagi talked about himself and his stakes, which aligned with his absolutism. Meanwhile Volo still had the capacity to think about you, even telling you what your consequences would be beforehand, to stir you into challenging him even when he was so close to completing the plates. This is a mark of a curious, compassionate villain who bares their all, and wants answers while still fully aware of the circumstances.
*****
[I can fix him.]
Can you fix Akagi? Yes.
Can you fix Volo? Well... yes and no.
I can say, with confidence that Volo is technically f*cked in the head. (Oops... xD )
The advantage Akagi has over Volo is simple: he has a strong sense of identity, he knows his own means, and even if he's stubborn, he knows where he ends. Because he's possessive of his ideals, he knows when to stop when he doesn't want to get associated with something. It shows in his lines after he's defeated in Us/Um:
"...I see. ...You need not worry, Rotom. I will not do anything to this world. I believe I shall return to the perfect world I created."
"Had I met you sooner...would things have been different for me...?"
See how even when he's wronged by you in your world, even when he acknowledges that spirit can be fine, he still calls his world "perfect" ? He also talks about the idea of his own redemption in past tense, implying that he is still content with his world, opening doors for narratives wherein he accepts that he could change, but that is not his problem anymore because they have nothing to do with who he currently is.
Ironically, because of Akagi's rigidness, it makes him a more flexible character to write about as opposed to Volo.
The problem with Volo is that at his very being, he is curious and ambitious. This makes him difficult, almost impossible to satiate. If he were in Us/Um Akagi's shoes, likely he would change the world to be similar to yours, then change it again and again after each discovery. It would be a neverending cycle because in his own words, it is "a new, better world."
Another, even more complicated issue with Volo's character is that his sympathy directly clashes with his concept of the greater good, and it creates a disconnection with how he expresses himself.
A criticism of utilitarianism is its lack of compassion and reason. It reduces everything to a statistic, and overrides justice and innocence. If what is good is where the higher number of people are happy, then the ones on the other side, regardless of their virtues are simply unfortunate, and this opposes what Volo says he stands for.
Volo is not aware (or refuses to acknowledge) that his actions directly clash with his thoughts. This explains why he says "life was so unfair," yet he attacks you with 8 Pokémon versus the rule of 6v6. Why he likes to keep updated on the news around Hisui, but chooses to spend time alone in ruins. Why he thinks he is alone, but half of his party evolves through friendship. This makes him look like a hypocrite, and Cogito actually calls him out on it again at the Ancient Retreat:
Volo: "The plates we're after aren't dinner plates!"
Cogito: "How you complain for one shirking his own work at this very moment..."
Volo: "I don't need you to tell me what to do!..."
If Volo were to ever be redeemed, it would require him to completely change a part of his character, and have him be content with something without ever questioning its nature. Now what would that exactly be? Considering he doubted Arceus while still asking it why he wasn't chosen... I really have no idea, outside of a what-if AU where he had the proper upbringing from the very beginning. (But that leads him to literally just being Shirona in my observations, but that discussion's for ch3).
Or maybe Volo can be fixed using the "power of love" or Naruto's "friendship-no-jutsu" (provided he never doubts both are unconditional) or any other shameless plot device I can pull out of my fried brain cells.
...
I guess to summarize Volo vs Akagi, if they are 4 year-olds and their "new world" is a sandbox, Akagi would be type to build the perfect sandcastle and protect it with his small hands, while Volo would look at what is outside the sandbox and ask why the grass and the trees are not made up of sand, so he fills a bucket with soil and mixes it in the sandbox for the sole purpose of "it's unique and just because." xD
*****
Regardless of everything, I do love Volo as he is. I like f*cked up characters . Even if the idea of him getting redemption is exciting to read because his betrayal was so heartfelt :( , I would likely never write about it as I find it too complicated.
He's certainly one of the most complex characters to ever come out from Pokémon. It saddens me that there's a possibility he may not appear in another game again. In a way he is like Orochimaru from Naruto!! xD . Although there is criticism with his execution, and wishing that he had a bit more backstory to justify his actions, as someone who has also written for video game franchises, I think the writers of Legends did such a good job with Volo. His dialogues were consistent but complex, I cried a bit of happiness... Especially after the misfires that were Sordward and Shielbert, in my biased opinion :3
There's also this one Japanese song where I think the lyrics describe Volo perfectly...
To you readers, if you are familiar with Naruto openings, have you heard of 悲しみをやさしさに ? (Kanashimi Wo Yasashisa Ni)? The english translation of the title is "Sadness to Kindness". The meaning of its lyrics of are beautiful. Whenever I listened to it after playing Legends, I just thought... wow, this is Volo. If you like him, give it a listen! Sure not everyone understands Japanese, but there's always a translation, haha.
His second art (the one below on the cover) is also available in 5k resolution, watermark-free if you wish to have it as a wallpaper. I don't plan on making any social media where I'll share my thoughts or fan works for professional reasons, so if you want to repost the art anywhere or use it for anything, it's fine! Credit is just optional. No permission needed too, just don't claim it as yours.
Here's the link: https://imgur.com/L3QcaAM
*****
Okay, my thoughts have overstayed their welcome. Again, these are just my dissections of these characters, and are in no way canon. But if you fellow writers want to build off of my character studies for your own stories, go onward! There is more Volo/reader content next update even if it is Cogito & reader's turn.
And to Fumiko-san, again,
おたんじょうび おめでとう！
Though it feels like I am talking to a void sometimes, thank you for spending time here dear reader. Leave a kudo or comment if you'd like, I'll appreciate it, and have a great day! :)
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