@Scytherwolf; @Soups;

Episode 89: Old Rivals, New Tricks


In an open field not far from Sandalstraw Town, Brock, Dawn, Tintri, Tarina, and Kori watched as Danielle walked Ash through the basics of a stage sword fight. "Ash must be a natural at this..." Brock smiled as Ash parried Danielle's attack in slow motion.

"Uh, Dawn? Shouldn't you be focusing on the Contest tomorrow?" a voice asked.

Dawn whirled around to see Barry approaching the group. "Actually, I'm going to compete in the Fantasy Stage while Brock competes in the Contest."

"What?" Barry gasped. "Never knew you moonlighted as a storyteller..."

I thought it would be fun to see what Brock experiences in the Fantasy Stage, and he get a taste of a Shinou Contest." Dawn explained.

"Okay...who's he using in the Contest?" Barry was intrigued.

Dawn gestured to Tarina. "This is Tarina. She's special to Brock, and is--as far as I know--the only Pichu with a costume."

Barry smiled. "She looks very regal in that cape and hat--perfect for a Contest!"

He noticed Ash and Danielle finishing their stage fighting lesson. "Looks like the battle's over, for now."

"Remember, you are NOT trying to defeat your opponent, and they are NOT trying to kill you." Danielle reminded Ash as Twinkle gathered up the prop swords and put them away. "Your goal is to create the realistic illusion of fighting for your life, and do it safely."

"Got it." Ash replied.

"You can take a break for now--we'll have an acting lesson next." Danielle then hurried off to set up her next lesson for Ash.

"While I'm on break, got any ideas for what you want to tell in the Fantasy Stage tomorrow?" Ash asked Dawn.

"Not really..." Dawn confessed.

"There should be a library in town." Barry suggested. "There should be plenty of stories you can pick!"

"I've got some time before my next lesson, so I can take you there to get some story ideas." Ash offered.

"Sure." Dawn smiled. "If we don't find anything there, I can always ask Brock for ideas!"

---------

"Got yourself a story you want to tell?" Brock asked as she and Ash returned from the library with a pile of folktale books some time later.

"I have it narrowed down to 'The Grepa Vine' or 'The Celestial Harp'." Dawn replied.

Brock thought for a moment. "Both of those are fairly challenging, but I'll let you in on a secret--you only really have to memorize your first line and your last line."

"Sounds easy enough, but what about everything in between 'Once upon a time' and 'And they all lived happily ever after?' Dawn wondered.

"Protip: Learn the story as a whole rather than in fragments." Brock grinned. "One way to do this is simplify its structure to a simple outline of scenes. Again, don't try to memorize it, but if you have to memorize SOMETHING, make it your first and last line."

Okay--what else?" Dawn asked as she reached for a piece of paper to take notes.

"Dialog should make use of different voices for different characters." Brock explained. "This does not necessarily mean have an arsenal of voices like I do, but at least adjust your tone of voice to suit each character."

"I'll leave the mimicry to you, then." Dawn smiled as she wrote down what Brock had said.

"You can also use your voice to create the atmosphere or tension as the story progresses." Brock went on. "Have you noticed that I tend to vary my tone of voice and volume to fit what is going on in the story's world?"

"Yeah--I can tell when you're about to do a jump scare when you suddenly get very quiet--AND THEN GET VERY LOUD!" Dawn proclaimed, startling Tarina.

[That's about right...] Tarina giggled.

"While the voice is the most important instrument a storyteller has, gestures and facial expressions add much to the visualization of the story." Brock went on. "Be sure they are appropriate and natural. Practice is key!"

"Got it!" Dawn smiled as she copied down Brock's advice...

---------

The next day, Dawn located Barry watching Danielle and Ash performing an acting exercise in a field. "Barry? Would you mind being my test audience so I can practice for the Fantasy Stage?"

"Sure, I'll listen." Barry replied as Dawn stepped on a pallet of empty crates. "When you're ready."

Dawn took a few deep breathes to calm the Beautiflies in her stomach, then started her story. "There was once a wealthy farmer who had three sons. The oldest--whose name is not important--was a selfish and overbearing fellow..."

In the field, Danielle explained to Ash. "One common exercise we use to think about characters is to think about how Pokemon would act. Sometimes, this can be used as a lesson in comedy. Other times, it's an exploration of character, which is the slant I'm taking."

She looked at Tintri watching the unfolding lesson from a tree. "So, how do you think Pikachu would act? The goal is to not mimic a Pokemon, but portray character traits and emotions inspired by Pokemon."

"Okay..." Ash thought for a moment. "Pikachu is energetic...joyous...happy...adventurous...courage ous..."

He noticed Satomi watching him, unaware of Dawn performing for Barry a few feet away. "Gardevoir is calm, relaxed, doesn't anger easily, wise...sensitive to others' needs..."

"Both of those are good descriptions." Danielle smiled. "Now, let's put those descriptions into practice by improvising a musical scene--we'll just make up the tune, the words and the reason for the song. Try to complement me as best as you can!"

"Need a note to start?" Brock asked as he retrieved his pitch pipe from a pocket.

"Any key's fine." Danielle replied.

"Okay, here's an E for you..." Brock then blew an E note in Danielle's direction.

[Isn't your guitar pitch pipe always set to a mi anyway?] Tarina asked as she looked through what Contest coords Brock had acquired.

Brock nodded. "So long as the low mi is in tune, you can use that to tune the other five strings."

In the field, Satomi watched Danielle's and Ash's improvised performance in awe. Every heart has desires hidden deep within... Danielle sang.

Furious sparks fly between this clash of dark and light! Ash sang back in reply.

He grinned back at the starry eyed Gardevoir watching him. As I wield my blade I head into the unknown tomorrow...

It seems as though it's encouraging me, this beautiful light... Danielle sang back in reply.

Is this going to end in just a dream?
Wouldn't it be like unrequited love? both Danielle and Ash sang together.
Dreams exist so we can fulfill them
And we will find them!

Applause snapped both Danielle and Ash from their heroic poses. "That was great!" Brock raved.

Bravo! Encore! Satomi agreed as she applauded.

Satomi's cry snapped Dawn to attention. "Satomi? Were you wanting to compete in a Contest?"

Uh, no...I was cheering Ash on in their little play before... Satomi replied. But I do wish you the best of luck in the Fantasy Stage!

---------

Later, in the Contest Hall, Marion revealed the theme for the Visual competition. "You're aiming for a gaudy look this time."

[That should be easy!] Tarina smiled as she bounded backstage.

Brock--now in a green and white outfit with silvery knotwork--explained to Tarina what was about to happen. "When Marion gives the signal, quickly pick out five of the Accessories in here, and I'll put them on you. The gaudiest Pokemon, wins."

Tarina braced herself as the number 60 appeared on the clock. "Ready...set...GO!" Marion called, sending the backstage area into a flurry of activity as the coordinators hurried to dress their Pokemon...

---------

In the Fantasy Stage theater, Dawn sighed as she made her way to the stage for the Free Performance. That Creative round was a disaster... she sighed as she saw her ID number towards the bottom of the scoreboard. How was I supposed to know how to make a story about a devout minstrel?

She sighed as she stepped onstage, the lights making the silver studs on her purple and blue costume glitter. Here's hoping 'The Grepa Vine' salvages my score!

With that, she swallowed hard and began "There was once a wealthy farmer who had three sons. The oldest--whose name is not important--was a selfish and overbearing fellow. The second--his name is not important either--was a weak hearted young man who always did everything his brother suggested..."

To Be Continued...