Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Performers of Harmony

[EmeraldSky]

Act 19: The Hero of Three Colors (part 3)


"Prince Rowan dressed himself in the red armor, leapt into the saddle, and dashed away to the proving grounds." Brenna narrated over some exciting music. "When he entered, the vast throng of spectators sent up a shout of acclamation, and all were wild to know who the splendid knight was and where he lived."

Lita watched from backstage as Charlotte, now in the ruby armor, waved to a large crowd of cheering extras. Here we go...it took so long to figure out how to keep the tournament scenes at a reasonable length...

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"What are we going to do about the tournament scenes?" Shimmer wondered as she read over Sammi's script. "We don't want to bore the audience by showing every single opponent Prince Rowan overthrew..."

"Yeah...that would also make the play run long." Ruby agreed.

"Training montage?" Rio grinned.

"Unfortunately, this is not a musical..." Shimmer sighed. "So a montage wouldn't really work..."

"That, and we haven't really done a musical yet..." Sakura noted.

"Musical or not, we'd still need a cast of hundreds or even thousands to pull it off." Ruby sighed.

"We could just show Rowan and the servant facing off every time." Charlotte suggested. "At least that would still get the point across, and still be within our capabilities to produce..."

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"With wonderful skill he overthrew all the other warriors until only the servant remained." Brenna's narration and Charlotte skillfully knocking down training dummies snapped Lita to reality.

Finally, Charlotte and the Litten met on the stage. After a few moments, the Litten bowed before Charlotte. "I withdraw and concede the match!"

Cheers filled the stage and the audience as Charlotte waved to the imagined crowd, then departed at stage right. "Who was that red knight?" a Pikachu extra asked.

"Never before have I seen such skill and grace, nor such beauty of form and elegance in anyone." a Chikorita extra agreed as she applauded.

The orchestra started a victorious theme. "Everyone tried to find out where the Ruby Knight had gone, but Prince Rowan had returned to the forest where he met the knight, and returned his armor and steed." Brenna went on from her nook. "He thanked him for his kindness and, taking the game that the knight had shot for him, he hurried back to the palace kitchen."

The lights came up on a crowd of extras as kitchen servants talking excitedly. "What a day!" a Charmander extra smiled as he pantomimed washing dishes.

"I know--that ruby knight is all anyone can talk about!" an Eevee extra agreed. "I wonder who he trained under to get that good at swordplay?"

"Maybe he trained under an eastern master?" a Mudkip extra suggested. "They're famous for their swordplay, including moves no one in the realm has ever seen before!

About then, Charlotte arrived on the stage. "There you are!" the Eevee extra began. "You picked a bad time to miss the tournament!"

"Oh? What did I miss that was so exciting?" Charlotte asked, to knowing giggles from Shaymin and the forest Pokemon.

"You missed a mysterious ruby knight in the swordsman's competition!" the Charmander extra explained. "No one could stand against him--he defeated every last one!"

A Taillow extra arrived on the stage minutes later. "Forgive me for interrupting your conversation, Tristan, but Princess Lilly has requested your presence in the rose garden."

"Tell Her Ladyship I will be there momentarily." Charlotte replied as the lights went down.

The orchestra started a peaceful interlude before the lights came up on the majestic set of the rose garden. "There you are..." Lita began as she and Charlotte met on the stage. "Where have you been all day?"

"I was only out hunting game, and nothing more." Charlotte replied.

"You would rather hunt for game than glory." Lita sighed. "A knight in red on a fine steed has covered himself with renown. No one but you could have overcome the splendid warrior."

"Is that so?" Charlotte smiled. "No matter...all will be well if I continue my humble duty in hunting game for the king."

"What good will THAT do?" Lita gasped as Charlotte exited. "You can go out hunting at any old time!"

"Why is he being so callous to the princess, milady?" one of Shaymin's Ivysaur attendants asked as the lights went down.

"Be patient--I'm sure there is a method to the real Prince Rowan's madness." Shaymin smiled as the orchestra started another interlude...

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"The next morning, Prince Rowan mounted his Ponyta and went out to hunt." Brenna narrated as the lights came up on the forest set from before. "At the same bend in the road he met another knight dressed from the plumes of his helmet to the soles of his feet in blue, and riding a fine Ponyta."

Onstage, Charlotte met Rio, now clad in blue, aboard a Ponyta puppet. "Good day, sir knight--are you going to the tournament today?" Charlotte asked, giving Rio a respectful bow.

"Sir Rowan, don this armor, mount this steed, and go to the tournament." Rio instructed Charlotte. "Upon your return you will find me waiting here. I will hunt in your stead, and present unto you all the game I obtain."

"Right away!" Charlotte replied, hurrying off to change as the lights went down.

Shaymin smiled as the orchestra started another exciting melody. I see...the three heroes are one and the same! Those knights he is meeting are the same ones he helped before, I just know it!

To Be Continued...