Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Performers of Harmony

[EmeraldSky]

Act 23: A Show in Silver (part 3)

The orchestra started an ominous melody. "While Kiiro was only occupied with happy thoughts, the king, the queen, and the princesses Homura and Sora were choking with rage." Brenna explained from her nook. "They had all assembled in the queen's apartment."

The lights came up on a beautiful set of a royal apartment. "This is too horrible...why did you send for this Kiiro, who has such dazzling jewels and makes herself admired and sought after by all these kings and princes?" the blue clad Pikachu complained as the Raichus and the Pikachus playing the royal family arrived. "Was it to humiliate us, my father, that you called us to the court at this time?"

"I swear to you, my beautiful darlings, that it was by the order of the fairy Hikari I was compelled to write for her to come." the male Raichu replied. "Besides, I did not know that she was so beautiful and that--!"

"So beautiful! Where do you find her so beautiful?" the red clad Pikachu snapped. "She is indeed ugly and coarse. It is her magnificent attire alone which makes her admired. Why have you not given to us your most superb jewels and your richest robes? We have the air of farm girls by the side of this proud princess."

"Where could I possibly have found jewels as magnificent as hers?" the male Raichu protested. "I have none which would compare with them. It is her godmother, the fairy Hikari, who lent her these jewels."

"Why, then, did you summon a fairy to be the godmother of Kiiro, when you gave to us only queens for our godmothers?" the blue clad Pikachu complained.

"It was not your father who called her--the fairy Hikari herself, by her own choice, appeared to us and told us that she would be Kiiro's godmother." the female Raichu explained.

"It is not worthwhile to spend time complaining and arguing--what's done is done." the male Raichu sighed. "It is better to find some means of getting rid of Kiiro and preventing Prince Mamoru from seeing her again."

"Nothing more easy than that." the female Raichu sneered. "I will have her deprived tomorrow of her rare jewels and her beautiful robes. I will order my servants to grab her and carry her back to the farm which she shall never leave again."

The Pikachus and the Raichus did not expect the Dedenne to appear in the scene with a flash! "If you dare touch Kiiro, if you do not keep her at the palace, if she is not present at all the parties, you will feel the terrible effects of my anger." she warned.

She scolded "You unworthy king and you heartless queen, you will be changed into Froagies and you, odious daughters and sisters, will become Sevipers. Are you still worthy to harm Kiiro now?"

With that, she vanished, leaving the Raichus and Pikachus gawking in awe and fear as the lights went down.

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The orchestra's song turned happier as the lights came up on the small room where Lita lay, "asleep". A soft knock startled her. "Who is it?" she asked as she climbed from the bed.

"I come to bring you breakfast." an offstage voice replied.

"Come in." Lita replied, prompting a Minccino to arrive with a plate of prop food.

"Here you are--just leave the plate outside when you finish." the Minccino smiled as she set the plate of prop food on a small table. "Do you need assistance getting dressed?"

"No thank you--I can dress myself." Lita replied.

"Very well." the Minccino replied with a little bow before departing.

Lita noticed a new note on the trunk, so she took it. "Here are your things, Kiiro. Dress yourself as you were yesterday, in the clothing you brought from the farm." she read as the lights went down.

"When she saw her own reflection in the mirror she was amazed." Brenna narrated from her nook. "She was dressed in the richest riding suit of sky blue velvet and pearl buttons as large as walnuts, at least. Her stockings were bordered with a wreath of pearls; her headdress was a cap of sky blue velvet with a long plume of dazzling white, which floated down to her waist and was attached by a single pearl of unparalleled beauty and splendor. The boots were also of blue velvet embroidered in gold, diamonds, and pearls. Her bracelets and necklace also were of pearls, so large and so pure that a single one would have paid for the palace, and then some."

Cheers came up with the lights revealed Lita in the costume Brenna described. "Come--their Majesties await." the Riolu page smiled as he met Lita in the room.

"Kiiro, do not mount any other Ponyta than the one Prince Mamoru will present you." the Dedenne whispered from offstage.

Lita just smiled as she followed the Riolu offstage. "Thanks, Hikari..."

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The lights came up on the ballroom again, spurring extras to balk and crowd around Lita. "The page conducted her, as the day before, into the royal salon, where her appearance produced a greater effect than before. Her fine, sweet countenance, her splendid figure, her magnificent dress, allured all eyes and captivated all hearts." Brenna narrated.

"Prince Mamoru of Violight!" a herald announced as the Luxio met Lita at center stage.

"Good morning, princess." the Luxio smiled with a bow. "Permission to be your companion during the midday hunt?"

"It will be a great pleasure to me." Lita smiled. "Permission heartily granted."

"It seems to me, that I am your brother, so great is the love I feel for you." the Luxio smiled. "Allow me to remain by your side and to defend you against all enemies."

"It will be an honor and a pleasure for me to be protected by a king so worthy of the name he bears." Lita smiled as the orchestra started an interlude

The lights came up on a stable set, where an Emolga page met Lita and the Luxio. A Ponyta puppet "danced" at stage right, despite being "restrained" by a few extras.

The Luxio noticed Lita's unease. "Bring another Ponyta for the princess."

The king and the queen gave orders that the princess should ride no other Ponyta than this one." the Emolga protested.

"Dear princess, wait there." the Luxio assured Lita, "I will bring you a Ponyta worthy of you myself, but I beg you not to mount this dangerous Pokemon."

"I will await your return." Lita smiled as the Luxio exited over an interlude.

"Instead of traveling to the royal hunting grounds with everyone else, Prince Mamoru and Kiiro explored the beautiful shady walks of the forest, talking of their childhoods and many other things." Brenna narrated as the lights came up on the set of a sunny forest clearing. Lita and the Luxio sat together in a circle of rocks, with two elegantly decorated Ponyta puppets near stage right.

"But if the king your father has not allowed you to reside in his palace, how is it that he has given you such beautiful jewels, worthy of a fairy or deity?" the Luxio asked.

"It is to my good godmother Hikari that I owe them." Lita replied. My parents were always jealous of me, and so they sent me away to live on a farm. "I thank Hikari for teaching me everything a good lady must know, and all that I value."

The Luxio nodded. "Well, my parents joined Arceus in heaven when I was seven years old. The fairy Hikari also taught me all I know. She sent me here to the festival, telling me that I would find my future queen there."

He went on over a romantic theme "I believe, dear Kiiro, that you are the charming and beautiful lady Hikari foretold all those years ago. Will you ask, princess, to join your life with mine and authorize me to request your hand of your parents?"

"Before answering, milord, I must obtain permission from Hikari." Lita replied. "But you may be sure that I will be very happy to spend my life with you."

"Aw"s filled the theater as Lita and the Luxio embraced...

To Be Continued...