Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Performers of Harmony

[EmeraldSky]

Act 27: The Stormy Stage of Mt. Citron (part 2)


The orchestra started a quiet interlude as the lights came up on a forest set. "It's so quiet out here..." Ruby mused as she entered the scene. "A quiet forest can be a good thing...or it can be a really bad thing! What if there's a Mightyena or an Ursaring around the next bend?"

Some voices arguing in the distance snapped Ruby to attention. "Someone must be having a big fight...whoever these people are, let me see if I can solve their problem!"

"As he walked along the forest path, Destrian discovered three bandits sitting on a patch of grass under the trees fighting about something." Brenna narrated as Ruby approached an Umbreon, a Zorua, and a Sneasel in ragged garb feigning an argument.

"What seems to be the problem?" Ruby asked, snapping the three Dark types playing bandits to attention.

"We have here a coat, a sword, and a pair of shoes which have magical power." the Sneasel explained. "The coat can make its wearer invisible; the shoes can make the wearer run faster than the wind; and the sword can overcome all enemies."

"We cannot agree on how to divide the loot." the Umbreon sighed. "Please be the judge in our dispute and decide for us."

Ruby nodded. "I will be happy to decide the question, but first let me think about it a little so I can make the fairest decision."

"The bandits went to work fixing dinner. One gathered wood for a fire; another went to a stream for water; and the third looked after the food." Brenna narrated as the Sneasel, the Umbreon, and the Zorua feigned cooking. "When their backs were all turned, he put on the coat and shoes and took the sword. In moments he was invisible, and the bandits had no idea they'd been had."

Even Zapdos laughed at Ruby sneaking up on the items and disappearing. "Destrian raced down the road, and before long he stood before a very large house." Brenna narrated as the lights came up on a majestic house exterior set.

"Hello, anyone here?" Ruby called as she arrived in the scene. "Is the lady of the house here, at least?"

"I'm here!" A second Scorbunny in a dull gold costume met Ruby onstage. "What's your business here?"

"Orla, my sister....do you remember me?" Ruby asked.

The gold clad Scorbunny balked in surprise as the orchestra started a joyous melody. "Destrian! Is it really you?" she asked as she and Ruby embraced, to some "aw"s from the audience.

"After I heard you were sold to a stranger for money, I had to come find you." Ruby explained. "But who was the stranger you were sold to?"

"He is a great wizard of the sea who can do wonderful deeds." the gold clad Scorbunny explained. "He should be here soon--then I can give you a proper introduction."

Just then, a Wartortle in a sparkling silver and blue robe materialized in a cloud of mist. "Who is this with you, Orla? I was not told we were having guests..."

"This is my brother, Destrian." The gold clad Scorbunny gestured to Ruby, who waved hello. "He came all this way to see me."

The Wartortle smiled. "Well met, Sir Destrian. Please, make yourself at home."

The lights went down over a quiet interlude. When they came up again, the Wartortle offered Ruby a glowing prop sapphire. "This has very wonderful power. If you ever get into trouble, sing to it 'Rou iitsa ron selga vichii' and it will bring you aid from the sea."

"Rou iitsa ron selga vichii--got it!" Ruby smiled. "I promise to use this gift wisely and well."

The lights went down as Ruby departed offstage. "Before long, Destrian found himself at the home of his second sister, Ariana." Brenna narrated as Ruby arrived in front of another majestic house set.

She went on as Ruby, a Grovyle in a red and gold robe, and a silver clad Scorbunny acted out what she described. "Like her elder sister, she did not recognize him at first, until he called her by name. She told him that her husband was a great wizard of the land. Soon her husband came home and greeted him kindly, and they had a happy time together for many days."

She let that hang as Ruby prepared to exit the stage again. "Before you go, please take this gem as a gift from me." the Grovyle told Ruby as he gave her a glowing prop ruby. "This has great power. If you ever get into trouble, sing to it 'Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul' and it will bring you help from the red earth."

"Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...--got it!" Ruby smiled. "I promise to use this gift wisely and well."

The orchestra started another interlude as Ruby departed again. "Then Destrian found himself at the home of his youngest sister, Christina." Brenna narrated as she watched a pale blue clad Scorbunny, a Pidgeotto with a sparkling green cloak, and Ruby act what she described on the set of a third house. "She too did not recognize him at first; but when he called her by name, she knew that he was her brother, and he found that her husband was a great wizard of the sky. He was welcomed by the sky wizard, and Destrian stayed with them a long time."

The lights game up on Ruby and the blue clad Scorbunny in the den of the house. "Christina...I believe Arceus is calling me to seek a bride." Ruby mused. "Your beloved has flown all over the world, I'd wager...has he found where the most beautiful princess in the world is?"

"Well...he tells me that in a land far away lives a very rich king who has two beautiful daughters." the blue clad Scorbunny replied. "Would you like me to use the Crystal of Seeing to show them to you?" she asked, starting towards a crystal ball on an ornate pedestal. "This is how my husband knows what is going on in the world when it is too dangerous to fly."

"Are you sure you're allowed to use the Crystal of Seeing?" Ruby wasn't so sure.

The blue clad Scorbunny nodded. "All you have to do is tell the crystal who or what it is you want to see. If you just want to see all that is going on the world, just tell it 'I want to see the world'."

"What are the names of these two princesses?" Ruby asked.

"Alma and Perla are their names." the blue clad Scorbunny replied.

"I'd like to see Princess Alma and Princess Perla...please." Ruby nervously stammered.

Even Zapdos was amazed as the crystal ball glowed, revealing the image of a normal and Shiny Sylveon in royal garb greeting their subjects as they walked down a street. "Hm...while both of them are very beautiful and pure of heart, I will try to win Perla's hand first." Ruby mused as the image faded away.

The lights came up on the house exterior, where the Pidgeotto and the blue clad Scorbunny were seeing Ruby off. "Christina told me everything." the Pidgeotto explained. "Before you depart on your quest, take this--it is a gift from me."

With that, he dropped a glowing emerald into Ruby's hands. "This has wonderful power. If you ever get into trouble, sing to it 'Karuto, iichiida shou...' and it will bring you help from the sky."

"Karuto, iichiida shou...--got it!" Ruby smiled. "I promise to use this gift wisely and well."

"Farewell, Destrian!" the Pidgeotto called as he and the blue clad Scorbunny waved goodbye. "May Arceus grant you His favor on your noble quest!"

To Be Continued...