Pokemon Moonlight Silver (COMPLETE!!!)

[EmeraldSky]

@Scytherwolf;

Interlude: Mary's Bedtime Story

"Okay..." Brock mused as he brought his plate to the sink for Ellen to wash. "One story with princesses, magic, monsters, and adventure, coming up..."

After the group settles in the house's living room and Brock thinks of a suitable story, he begins "Long ago, when this world was full of a deeper magic and terrifying monsters, and the rivers ran with milk and honey, there lived a king--whose name does not concern us--with his queen and their three sons, Alex, Dimitri and Peter, who were all handsome and clever."

Tintri bounds by Mary's side as Brock continues "One day the queen, who had gone on a walk on the open plains, failed to return to the palace, and though the royal army searched far and wide, no trace could be found of her. She had disappeared into thin air."

"So what did the king do?" Mary wondered

"He called together his ministers and advisors, his sages, his grandees and counselors, and asked their advice, and after discussing the matter for three weeks, the chief elder came before him and said..."

In an older version of himself, he announces "Your Majesty! We have concluded that the queen has been spirited away by Darkrai, the Nightmare Pokemon. While his own realm and castle are deep beneath this world, he possesses many other strongholds in the land of mortals, and it has long been known that his most beautiful and well guarded palaces are on the tops of the highest and most inaccessible mountains in the world. It is, however, pointless to fight against him, for his palaces are enchanted by the darkest of magics, and Darkrai himself cannot be killed by mortal means, since he carries his life not in his body, but in a secret place that is known only to him. We counsel you, therefore, to choose another wife, for your lost queen you will never see again until Arceus returns triumphant."

As himself, Brock continues "The king was devastated by this speech. He loved his vanished queen so much, he dared not choose another in her place, but sent heralds into kingdoms far and wide, offering wealth and honors to the one who brought her back to him. Daring heroes, brave adventurers, and great generals came in response to the call, each of them promising valiant deeds, and the king bade each of them take from the royal treasury sufficient gold for his needs. But though many came and many went, there was no news of the missing queen."

"Poor queen..." Mary sighs.

One day, as the king sat musing in his summer palace, his three sons came into the garden and, unaware that he was within earshot, began to talk with each other about what was going on, unaware their father the king was listening in." Brock explains. "When the princes had left the garden, the king returned to the palace and summoned them to his presence.

In character as the king, he tells an imagined person "My dear sons, you know how the loss of your mother troubles my heart and soul. Many brave heroes have searched for her in vain and I am compelled to send one of you forth. Alex, as my eldest, take my fatherly blessing, with as much gold and as many troops as you require, and try your fortune in the quest. If you succeed, you will inherit my kingdom."

As himself, he continues "So Prince Alex took from the treasury a full purse and with fifty thousand troops armed with iron lances, swords, bows, and powerful spells, set out from the capital. He rode one day, and then rode one week, he rode a month, and two and three, asking questions of all he met, until he had passed beyond the borders of his father's kingdom, but no one had heard of the lost queen or of the strongholds of Darkrai the Nightmare Pokemon."

He intones "Finally, he came to a desert land where only earth and sky were to be seen and the sand was as hot as cinders, and one by one his troops perished until only ten remained. Beyond the desert was a forest and on the outskirts of the forest, in a patch of brush and brambles, he came upon an old man sitting on a stone, unaware it was Arceus in disguise."

"Hail to you, Grandfather," he calls in a mimic of Gary for Prince Alex.

"And to you likewise, milord," he replies in a gentle deep voice for Arceus. "Where does the wind take you? Have you come here to escape a task or find one?"

"To find one," he answers as Prince Alex. "I seek the stronghold of Darkrai the Nightmare Pokemon, who has spirited away my mother."

"You are on the right track, but you will not be able to reach it."

"Why not?"

"Because, there are three rivers in between, over which you must be ferried, and the price asked is a great one."

"I have gold and plenty to spare."

Mary giggles at Brock's vocal dexterity as Brock continues as himself "With that, Prince Alex rode on to the first of the three rivers....."

---------

"...Prince Peter fastened the boat and rode on, and before long he came to a mountain so high that its top appeared to be propped against the sky, and he could hardly lift his eyes to its summit." Brock continues. "He left his steed to graze, and searched until he came upon the iron door and entered the cave. Here he found the four iron claws, and after tying them to his hands and feet, began to climb the mountain. For a whole month he climbed, higher and higher, and finally he reached the top, which was so high that one could see the whole world, with all its realms, spread out as if on the palm of his hand. Here he took off the iron claws, thanked Arceus, and after resting three days, went onward."

"Wow!" Mary gasped.

"Whether the way was long or short, I don't know, but he came at last to a vast palace built all of gold. No guard stood at its gate, and he went inside." Brock explains. "Every room he passed through was of gold. In the innermost chamber sat a maiden on a golden chair, embroidering on a golden frame, and the scissors, the thimble and the needle she used were of gold too. He greeted her and told her his quest."

"This is indeed a palace of Darkrai, young hero," Misty jumps in the role of the lady. "My name is Orla. I, too, was stolen away from my father's kingdom by the Nightmare Pokemon, who comes here to visit me once every three months. I know nothing of your mother, but if you go to Darkrai's second palace, maybe you may hear of her. The Nightmare Pokemon is hard to conquer, however, and you are the first who has been able to come this far in recent memory. Should you succeed, remember me and take me back with you to the world of light."

"Prince Peter promised her this, and setting out, traveled until he came to a palace more splendid than the first one, built all of silver." Brock continues. "It, too, was unguarded, and entering, he found in its innermost chamber a maiden sitting on a silver stool, weaving on a silver loom with thread of pure silver. He greeted her, and told of his quest."

"My name is Ariana." Misty fills in the second lady's dialogue. "I too was stolen away from my father's realm by the Nightmare Pokemon, and brought to this palace, where he comes to visit me once every two months. I have not seen your mother, but if you go to Darkrai's third palace, beyond this, maybe you may hear of her. If you meet in battle and are the victor over him, do not forget me, but take me with you to the world of light."

"Prince Peter gave Princess Ariana his promise and set out immediately, and the next day came to a palace which blazed like fire in the sunlight, for it was built entirely of pure crystal." Brock continues, to Mary's awe. "Like the others, it was unguarded, so he entered and explored it. In its inmost chamber he found a maiden sitting on a crystal couch, making lace on a crystal pillow, and both the shuttle and the thread were pure crystal. This lady was of such beauty that no mortal word could describe her, and no mortal song was worthy of her."

"Hail and well met, milady!" Ash, in the role of Prince Peter, greets Misty.

"To you likewise, young prince," Misty replies as the third lady. "But how did you come here? By your own free will or by force?"

"By my own free will." Ash answers. "I seek my mother who has been stolen away from my father's kingdom by Darkrai. Can you tell me where she is?"

"Why should I not be able?" Misty smiles. "My name is Christina, and I too was stolen from my father's kingdom by the Nightmare Pokemon, who visits me here once each month. But your mother he keeps in his fourth palace, which is built of diamonds, and there you must go. But, I beg you, if you do overcome and slay the monster, remember me and take me with you into the world of light."

"Better I give my own life than leave you to Darkrai!" Ash vows as Prince Peter.

"Listen closely," Misty explains in character. "When you come to the fourth of the Nightmare Pokemon's many palaces, you will see that it lies in a garden which is surrounded like a wall by an enormous Arbok coiled with its tail in its mouth. Take this bundle of herbs, and when you come into the open field around the palace, choose a spot where the wind blows from you toward the Arbok, build a fire, and throw some of the herbs into the flames. Be careful that you do not use it all and that you yourself stand with the wind at your back. The smoke will put the Arbok to sleep, and you may then climb over its body and enter the palace."

Mary smiles with anticipation as Brock continues "Prince Peter bade her farewell and set out, and when he had traveled a day he came to a palace which rose dazzling white from the midst of a green garden, and all around the garden lay coiled a huge Arbok, a living, scaly wall. He went into the meadow, built a fire and threw some sprigs of the herbs on it, creating a great plume of smoke which the wind drove toward the Arbok, causing it to fall asleep. He then climbed over it and entered the diamond palace."

"What was in there?" Even Ellen is interested, and at the same time enjoying how her daughter is entranced by the epic adventure.

"He passed through room after room till he came to the innermost sanctum, and there he saw his mother sitting on a diamond throne, dressed in a robe of brocade sewn with diamond dust, and wearing a queen's crown studded with diamonds." Brock explains. When she saw him she ran to him, and embracing him, she cried..."

"How have you found me here, my brave and beloved son? For I, your mother, am in the power of this mighty Nightmare Pokemon who comes to me each day." Misty gasps in character as the mother, complete with wearing a towel as a cape. "You will strive to overcome him, yet he commands powerful dark magic, while you are but a untested hero--I greatly fear for you!"

"The wind does not blow forever," Ash assures Misty in character.

"They kissed and caressed one another for a moment, until a mighty rushing wind made the crystal windows rattle." Brock intones, aware of the wind blowing outside and the clouds obscuring the stars.

"Darkrai comes even now," Misty tells Ash. "Hide beneath my mantle!"

As if on cue, a rumble of thunder was heard outside, snapping Ash and Misty out of character. "Nice touch." Ash commented as rain started to fall outside.

Ellen, however, seemed excited about the storm. "Come on, Mary...let's get the Mareep to the top of the hill so the lightning can fluff up their wool!"

"Okay!" Mary led the group outside into the rain. "You can tell me the rest of the story once we get back in, okay?" she assures Brock.

To Be Continued...