Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Performers of Harmony

[EmeraldSky]

Act 16: A Show of Gratitude

"So? Did the paper print the review of 'The Brave Youngest Son' yet?" Lita asked as Ruby arrived in a lounge of the inn's lobby with a copy of the local paper the next day. Many of the other troupe members were already awake and packing up the wagon for the trip into the Jade Forest--and potentially, a performance for Shaymin.

Ruby skimmed over the Arts and Life section for a moment before finding the review. "Here we go...young troupe makes a solid effort in latest show...'The Brave Youngest Son' fun for the whole family..."

"Did they say anything about how I did?" Cole asked as he joined Ruby and Lita in the lounge with some breakfast from the complimentary buffet. The elegant forest-like lounge was not terribly busy at the early hour, but Lita hoped the troupe would be on their way before it got crowded.

"Here we go...the titular son, played by Cole of Harmony Town, is a role with both bravery and heart." Ruby read. "Cole does very well conveying both sides of the character, despite some early jitters in the first act."

"But let's give credit where it's due here...you did very well as Christina yourself." Cole smiled as he thought back to the previous night's show.

Lita just giggled. "I was just doing my best to capture the hope Christina had that her beloved had returned."

"So can we say 'The Brave Youngest Son' is a keeper?" Ruby asked as she put away the newspaper.

"I think so." Lita replied. "Granted, there are still a few places we could refine it, actors' jitters notwithstanding.

"So, what kind of play should we perform for Shaymin?" Cole mused as he dug into his waiting breakfast. "Something about flowers?"

"That was one possibility we considered, but remember when we were little in school?" Lita asked. "Professor Noctowl always said that Shaymin is the gratitude Pokemon. So I thought, why not do a play about someone or something grateful?"

"That's a start, if we can't come up with any flower ideas..." Ruby mused. "The writing team had lots of suggestions for plays if we go the grateful route...."

"Like?" Lita was intrigued.

"Right now, they're working on a play that's a version of the faithful prince and the treacherous servant tale type." Ruby explained. "I think Shaymin would like it."

"The only way to find out is to find her grove in Jade Forest, and perform it." Cole smiled as he gathered up the remains of his food and the trash.

"We should have enough time to rehearse it while on our route through the forest." Lita remembered. "Jade Forest usually has a clear path for travelers and wagons to go through. Besides, if Shaymin is there, it should be peaceful."

---------

"Wow..." Ruby gasped as she gawked at the sun dappled path that wound through the forest. "I forgot how beautiful Jade Forest is at this time of year..."

"According to my map, Shaymin's grove is at the first fork you can find from the main path." Lita explained. "We can rehearse 'The Hero of Three Colors' as we travel.

For a while, the walk through the forest was uneventful, save for the soft clatter of the wagon wheels and the Pikachu and the Scorbunny gawking at the sun drenched trees, the wildflowers dotting the path, and the occasional Pachirisu or Buneary romping through the underbrush.

After a relatively uneventful walk, Ruby spotted a path that split into two paths. "There! That's the way to Shaymin's Grove!" she called, pointing down the right path that branched off into a woodsy part of the forest.

Lita motioned to the Ponytas pulling the wagon. "Come on--let's take a little scenic detour this way." The Ponytas nodded, and followed the Pikachu and the Scorbunny down the tree-lined path. While there were a lot more trees in the area, the sun still managed to peek through the emerald canopy.

"This is beautiful..." Ruby's voice broke the peaceful silence some moments later.

Lita parted some bushes and gasped. "If you think the forest is beautiful, wait until you see this!" She made a grand gesture to a clearing filled with all kinds of colorful flowers. A large pink flower stood in the center of the grove, near a hollow tree.

Ruby recognized the pink flower. "That's it! That's the Gracidea flower Shaymin has long been famous for!"

"Hm?" A voice snapped Lita and Ruby to attention as a small, white hedgehog-like Pokémon with green grass-like fur on its back and two tiny pink flowers on the sides of its head trotted out from the hollow tree. "Welcome to my flower grove, travelers." it smiled. "What brings you to this sacred place?"

"Shaymin...we are a humble troupe of traveling actors." Ruby explained. "Would you care to see our latest performance?"

Shaymin smiled. "It has been some time since a band of actors came all this way--what is the play entitled?"

"We call it 'The Hero of Three Colors', milady." Lita replied with a little bow. "It entails the exploits of how a young prince rescues three knights that were wrongfully imprisoned, and how they help him in return when his own servant turns against him."

"How exciting!" Shaymin smiled. "Please, take all the time you need to prepare."

Ruby noticed that the clearing had nothing resembling a stage. "Um, where are we going to perform without a stage, milady?"

"Here--I will grant you a stage." With that, Shaymin sang Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo...

Both Lita and Ruby watched in awe as the branches of two willow trees parted like green curtains, revealing a beautiful stage carved from fallen trees and decorated with flowers and ivy. "There...this is the Sakura Stage, where many an actor has tread its boards." Shaymin smiled. "But you will not be the last performers to grace this holy stage."

She smiled. "I look forward to seeing the fruits of your hard work."

"Right away, Lady Shaymin!" Lita smiled. "If you will give us a little time to set up, we will happily perform 'The Hero of Three Colors' for you!"

To Be Continued...