Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Performers of Harmony

[EmeraldSky]

Act 48: The Show of Fire, Ice, and Lightning (part 3)


The orchestra started an adventurous interlude. "And so, the three siblings left the farm behind, although not without first bidding their employer and his family farewell." Shimmer narrated. "They received a generous amount of money and supplies for their travels, but this paled in comparison to what they would discover as they explored Dragon's Mount...."

With that, the lights came up on a set of a majestic fantasy hillside. Lita was first to arrive onstage, happily scatting a jig as Ruby and Brenna followed her. The audience clapped along as Lita sang "The Hearthome Pilgrim".

Once the applause for Lita's performance died down, Lita made a grand gesture to the hill. "Here we are--this is Dragon's Mount!" she smiled

"Not too much different from hundreds of other hills..." Brenna smiled. "Although...there had to be something valuable inside for dragons to take up residence. You know well from the bedtime stories Dad always told us that dragons like gold and jewels."

"Well, now that the dragons are gone, we can go take a look!" Ruby suggested. "Maybe save a princess or three, as well!"

The lights blinked back to Shimmer's nook. "What the siblings found inside Dragon's Mount was not gold or jewels. Nor did they find lost princesses inside--instead, they found gear and worthy companions for the heroes that they were."

Awed chatter echoed through Hero's Grove as Ruby, Brenna, and Lita arrived on a sparkling cave set. "Greetings, heroes that slew the dragons that held us prisoner." a Raikou puppet began.

"We have awaited our deliverance for some time, but we never lost hope that we would be rescued." an Entei puppet agreed.

The spotlight expanded to reveal a Suicune puppet, three Ponyta puppets, various props. plus the rest of the cave set. "As thanks for your bravery and valor, we offer these gifts to you." the Suicune puppet explained.

"We also pledge our loyalty to you, now and forevermore." the Entei puppet added.

Ruby hurried to a normal Ponyta. "I'll take this mount and the red armor." she smiled.

"The shiny Ponyta and the blue armor is mine." Brenna smiled.

"I'll take the Galarian Ponyta and the gold armor." Lita suggested before dashing by the Galarian Ponyta puppet's side.

"Wise choices..." the Entei puppet replied.

"But how are we going to feed you guys, our mounts, and ourselves?" Ruby asked. "Much less pay the food bill?"

"Worry not, little one--we three Beasts can hunt for ourselves." the Raikou puppet assured Ruby. "Not to mention all the gold in this horde should be more than enough to cover expenses as you travel."

"Thank you!" Lita smiled.

"Yeah, thanks!" Ruby agreed.

"We promise not to use these gifts for our own selfish gain." Brenna replied. "Instead, we will use them for the glory of Arceus!"

"And save the princesses from horrible fates!" Ruby agreed.

"About that..." the Suicune puppet interjected. "This was why Arceus led you here to slay our oppressors. He believes more than anyone that you can save the king's three daughters."

"We won't let Him down!" Ruby vowed.

"Let us hurry to the royal city." the Raikou puppet suggested. "If fortune favors us, we will learn when the eldest princess is due to meet the ruby dragon."

"Let's go!" Lita called as she led the charge offstage, to a victorious theme and cheers from the audience.

---------

The lights appeared on Shimmer in her nook as the entourage of puppets "ran" across the stage. "With their gifts in tow, the three siblings made their way to the royal city. The three Beasts went on before them, scouting ahead for danger and informing them of items and places that would bring luck on their quest. The adventures they went on while on their journey are stories in themselves."

Giggles filled the air at Shimmer's quip. "Eventually, the siblings reached the royal city." Shimmer went on as the lights came up on a majestic royal city gate set. "Every house in the city had a black banner for mourning, even the city gatehouse." She let that hang as Ruby, Brenna, Lita, and their puppet entourage arrived at stage right.

"We're here..." the Raikou puppet noted before the three Beast puppets transformed into three shining prop jewels. "We would cause quite a stir if we roamed the city streets." it continued from the topaz in Lita's paws. "So we have chosen to disguise ourselves as jewels to avoid rousing unwanted attention."

"In the event that you need our help, hold the jewels in your hands, and invoke the mystical melody the jewel will sing to you." the Suicune puppet explained from the sapphire in Brenna's hands. "This will summon us from the jewels."

Ruby, Brenna, and Lita nodded, then made their way through the gate, where a crowd of extras playing townsfolk milled about. "Poor Princess Robin..." a Bulbasaur sighed.

"The heir to the throne, about to be cut down in her prime through no fault of her own..." a Chikorita agreed."

"Rumor is that the ruby dragon will take her this Fire Day." a Charmander interjected.

The lights blinked back to Brenna. "Fire Day...that's two days from now." she reported.

"Sol Day...Luna Day...Fire Day...you're right!" Lita gasped.

"Maybe the Beasts could give us strategy advice that we didn't have before..." Ruby mused. She let that hang as the lights went down.

"That night, the siblings met with the three Beasts to determine the best strategy to defeat a ruby dragon." Shimmer narrated from her nook. "It was agreed that Rowan would battle the fiend."

The lights came up on Ruby, Brenna, Lita, and the Beast puppets inside a majestic house somewhere in the royal city "I know a ruby dragon is a lot more powerful than the red dragon I fought before--so how do I adapt my strategy?" Ruby asked.

"The red armor you wear will protect you against the flames it breathes." the Entei puppet replied. Like all dragons, it is weak against ice and light, but also has an additional weakness to water."

"Before you march to battle in the morning, I will imbue your red blade with cold, and give you some sapphires and aquamarines as burst attacks." the Suicune puppet offered. "These gifts should serve you well in the fight."

To Be Continued...