Act 44: The Blazing Tale of a Hero (part 6)


"Remember--the telling of a story is easy, but the events of the story are often not so easy." Brenna reminded the audience.

Nervous giggles wafted over the peak as she continued "Whether he rode a week or a month, I don't know, but he came at last to the mountain, and returned to his mother's side."

The lights came up on the palace set again, where Ruby and the female Cinderace hugged. "Did you get it?" the female Cinderace asked.

Ruby nodded, and showed off the prop egg. "In here is Darkrai's soul."

"Boo"s filled the air as the Darkrai puppet returned. The orchestra struck up an exciting melody when the Darkrai puppet spotted Ruby, but before it charged, Ruby calmly tossed the egg from hand to hand.

Even Moltres was howling with laughter as the Darkra puppet was hurled violently from one corner of the room to the other. With one last effort the wicked Nightmare Pokemon tried to reach Ruby with his sword, but Ruby threw the egg on the floor with a SPLAT!

The audience of Pokemon cheered as the Darkrai puppet disappeared. "And so, Prince Peter made a great pyre, burned the body of the Nightmare Pokemon to ashes and scattered the ashes to the wind." Brenna narrated as Ruby did this. 'This done, they started off for home."

The Dedenne from earlier met Ruby and the female Cinderace onstage. "Princess Aurica met them with joy, and taking her with them, they visited the palaces of silver and crystal, and the princesses imprisoned there welcomed them as their hero and accompanied them." Brenna narrated as the Minccino and Lita arrived. "They all set out for his father's kingdom."

The lights came up on the forest set again, where the Arceus puppet and Charlotte were waiting. "So you have slain Darkrai!" the Arceus puppet smiled. "I rejoice as well, for he was my greatest enemy."

Awed gasps filled the air as for shining Ponyta puppets arrived onstage. "Take these--they are gifts from us both." Charlotte smiled.

"Thanks!" Ruby replied as she climbed aboard her Shining Ponyta puppet with the female Cinderace.

Once she was aboard, she pantomimed writing something on a piece of paper, then gave it to a Fletchling puppet as the lights went down.

The lights came up on the throne room set from before. "There is a letter here from Peter in the royal mail today, milord." a Raboot herald explained as he gave the male Cinderace the letter.

Excited, the male Cinderace unfolded the paper. "My lord and father! I, your son Peter, am returning home, bringing with me my mother the queen, my own bride-to-be, who is a maiden as lovely as the stars, and princesses for my two brothers. Please come out to meet us."

He gasped. "Peter...he's alive....HE'S ALIVE!!!"

He told the heralds "Proclaim through all the realm a grand festival to welcome my beloved and brave son home! Let all feuds and disputes be set aside, for my beloved Kenna is home!"

"Yes milord!" the Raboots chorused as the lights went down.

Brenna appeared in her nook as the orchestra played a victorious theme. "The king's joy knew no bounds. Minstrels across the land struck up joyous songs on their instruments, and the drummers played a victory cadence as the party was led to the palace. The king then decreed a great festival whose splendor was talked about across the world, and is still remembered even now."

She concluded. "Prince Peter went on many more adventures, but that is another story for another day!"

Moltres' applause was the loudest as the lights came up for the curtain call. Once everyone had taken their bows, she addressed the group. Very well done! You are indeed as skilled as my brother Zapdos says you are!

She went on If I had to offer any constructive criticism, I would suggest you all look into battle training to improve your fight scenes.

"We'd love to learn how to improve our fights, milady." Ruby smiled. "Who could teach us?"

Not far from here is the Battle Dojo, where the Hero's Sword Zacian and the Guardian Shield Zamazenta train all that wish to follow the warrior's path. Moltres explained. They have also trained many actors in all manner of stage fighting.

She conjured a beautiful red stone with a flame etching inside. As thanks for your thrilling performance. I grant you the Ruby of Courage. May it remind you to fearlessly face whatever challenges and dangers come your way.

To Be Continued...