A Threesome's Tales

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 70: Arceus Saves a Princess (Misty)

(real tale: The Castle of Comorre)

"They say that long ago, Cerulean City was once a kingdom named Azulona...and the Great Lord Arceus saved its princess from the hand of a bloodthirsty count." Misty begins. "Want me to tell you about it?"

"Yeah!" Ash replies.

"Yes!" Brock replies at the same time as Ash.

"Just be forewarned that this tale is a little scary." Misty cautions. With that, she begins "Azulona's king at that time had a daughter he loved very much--we'll call her Jala. Princess Jala was as beautiful in heart as she was beautiful in looks--and her father preferred to lose everything he owned rather than see her unhappy."

"Mm-hm..." Brock motions for Misty to go on.

"One year, messengers from the land of Lavandia came to Azulona, bearing many lavish gifts." Misty continued. "The messengers said that the ruler of Lavandia, Count Ketsuki, wished to have Princess Jala in marriage--he had visited the summer festival in disguise as a soldier and fell head over heels in love with her."

"Jala's father the king said no, I'd wager." Ash muses.

"He knew very well Count Ketsuki's reputation as a tyrant with an iron fist." Misty replies. "and a black heart to match. In fact, rumors said that when he was just a boy, his mother would have the guard ring the alarm bell so everyone within miles knew he was awake. He was feared and hated by not just his homeland of Lavandia, but all over what is now Kanto."

[If he were real, I would have ripped him to shreds...] Mai mutters as she flexes her claws, as if expecting Count Ketsuki to appear at any moment.

"And to top all of that off, the last four princesses had mysteriously disappeared." Misty continues. "Whether they had died or ran away, no one knew for sure, because Count Ketsuki wasn't talking."

"En garde!" Ash brandishes a stick at the tent entrance flap like a sword, as if Count Ketsuki is really present and about to spirit Misty away into the rain.

"Needless to say, Jala's father said a resounding no, but the messengers said that Count Ketsuki would invade if he and Princess Jala did not marry." Misty continues. "So Jala's father called together the whole army, and the two armies met on a plain for battle three days later."

[What about the great Arceus?] Korra wonders.

[What did he do?] another Meowth agrees.

"He saw what was going on from the heavens, and hurried to Azulona, where Princess Jala was praying in the shrine in the town square." Misty replies. "He appeared to Jala as a mighty paladin, and pleaded with Jala to avert the impending war. Jala said no, because she feared Count Ketsuki would kill her too. So Arceus taught her some of his holy magic, and gave her a magical ring that would glow when her life was in danger. He then flew on ahead to the battlefield, where he informed the two sides of Jala's decision."

"But what happened after all the wedding festivities died down?" Ash asks as he tosses the stick away.

"The wedding was a grand affair, and for a while, Count Ketsuki didn't feel like oppressing or killing anyone." Misty continues. "Princess Jala, meanwhile, would pray in the castle shrine every day, asking Arceus to watch over the four slain princesses and to protect her."

"This is getting good--and then?" Brock asks.

"One day, there was a great gathering of kings, queens, and other royalty at the Pokemon League at Aiiro City." Misty continues. "Count Ketsuki went as well, leaving Jala the keys to the castle and allowing her to do as she wished. When he got back home six months later, he learned that Princess Jala was expecting a little princess of her own."

"Was that a good thing or a bad thing?" Melody wonders.

"It was a very bad thing--Count Ketsuki flew into a rage, and Princess Jala saw her ring glowing a bright blue--a warning from Arceus that her life was in danger." Misty replies. "She hurried to the castle shrine, and took shelter there that night. Minutes felt like hours, and hours like years, but around midnight, Arceus appeared to Princess Jala, with the spirits of the other princesses with him."

"So Count Ketsuki killed the other princesses after all..." Brock muses, thankful that Count Ketsuki only exists in the story, and its other versions he knows.

"Princess Jala was scared at first, but when she saw it was Arceus, she felt at peace." Misty continued. "Arceus warned her that Count Ketsuki planned to kill her. but Jala asked why he wanted her dead. The first spirit replied that the girl she carried was said to overthrow him, and Jala needed to flee home as fast she could. Arceus instructed her to cast a sleeping spell on his guard Houndoom, the second spirit gave her the rope that hung it, the third spirit taught her the fire spell that killed it, and the fourth spirit gave her the sword that had killed it."

"I see!" Ash puts two and two together. "The spirits are giving Jala the items that killed them to help Jala survive her quest!"

Misty smiles--Ash has clearly been paying attention. "Jala took the items, put the Houndoom to sleep, and fled into the night. She would hide during the day, and travel at night so Count Ketsuki couldn't find her. On one of these nights, as she was by the coast, it came time for her child to be born. She named the healthy little girl Meriel, since she was born by the sea."

"Meriel eventually became one of the great queens of what is now Cerulean City." Brock adds. "But that's another story entirely."

"As she neared her homeland, she spotted her father's pet Pidgeot, and gave it her ring so her father would know she was in danger." Misty continued. "No sooner did she do this did Count Ketsuki appear--he had finally caught up to her!"

"Oh no!" Ash gasps in fear for Jala.

"Jala put up a good fight, but died protecting Meriel." Misty continues, making Melody tear up. "Her father was naturally devastated when he arrived with his retinue, but Arceus appeared before them, and revived Jala before her father."

"YES!!!" Melody smiles through her tears.

"Arceus turned in the direction of Count Ketsuki's castle, and blessed Meriel with the gifts of speech and magic." Misty goes on. "The first thing Meriel did was cast a spell..."

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... Melody fills in the spellsong.

"...and Count Ketsuki's castle crumbled to the ground like dust." Misty concludes. Princess Jala and Meriel were welcomed home with a heroine's welcome, and they lived happily ever after."

[Wow!] Mai gasps in awe as the others applaud....

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 71: The Ghost Ponyta (Ash)

(real tale: The Goblin Pony)

"Now it's my turn to tell a ghost story..." Ash begins. "Mom once told me this legend one Halloween night after me and my friends got back from trick-or-treating, as she did every year."

With that, he begins "The story goes that on one stormy Halloween night long ago, when Pallet was a small village named Taicho, the wise woman of the town bade the children stay inside--lest they be captured by witches, ghosts, and other things that go bump in the night."

"Mm-hm..." Melody nods.

"But the majority of the kids still wanted to go out--one wanted to see the girl he had a crush on, another wanted to go looking for Krabbies and Corphishes, and another wanted to pick Berries, to name a few reasons." Ash continues. "Only a few remained behind while the rest went out into the night, despite the wise woman's warnings. They blew off her tales of monsters and ghost Ponytas as just that--stories."

"Big mistake..." Brock cautions--he knows how stories like this usually end with either the disobedient children dead at the hand of the teller's monster of choice, or disappeared and presumed dead from chasing a spirit.

"As the children all made their way into the forest, they saw a Ponyta with an odd teal glow." Ash continues. "They presumed it to be someone's lost Ponyta, and led it to the pond where the men of the town led their Rapidashes to drink." Ash goes on. "Then some of the children got the idea to try and ride it back to town, but instead of going back to town, the Ponyta made its way to the coast, just as the wind and waves picked up again. It was only then they realized they had encountered a ghost Ponyta."

Misty swallows hard at this. "The ghost Ponyta very much enjoyed frolicking in the pounding waves while the children hung on for dear life, until they were just a speck on the horizon." Ash continues. "Whether the children died in the surf, or if they're still hanging on for the ride of their lives, I leave you to decide for yourself. But if you climb the hill overlooking the sea just outside of Pallet on a rainy night and listen hard enough, you might hear the whinnies of the ghost Ponyta and the children's laughter as they romp in the surf."

"Come to think of it, I think I did hear a Ponyta whinny when I climbed the hill on my last visit..." Brock notes...

"You were probably hearing things..." Misty assures him as everyone laughs.

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 72: The Haunted Forest (Brock)


"In a far away land, there was once a forest people said was haunted--because those that ventured inside, often didn't come out." Brock begins. "There were rusted axes and worn baskets everywhere on the trails, from woodsmen and berry pickers that never returned. On top of that, people heard something roaring in that forest at all hours of the day--exactly what beast this was, no one knew."

"Did anyone try to find out?" Ash is piqued.

"No, but the people had their own theories." Brock replies. "Some said evil spirits lurked in the gloom, waiting to capture unsuspecting travelers and pull them into the trees--why else did the wind moan through the branches?"

[What else did the humans think it was?] Korra is interested.

"Others believed it was some sort of monster that pulled its victims beneath the ground, leaving their items behind." Brock explained. "It wasn't long before the panic spread across the whole kingdom. The king tried to keep calm by assuring the people the roaring was no evil spirit or monsters, merely a beast..." He waits for a beat, then adds "A hungry beast...a beast capable of eating an adult male human and still having room for a young maiden for dessert!"

Misty yelps in surprise as Brock grabs at her, as if he is the beast trying to grab her. She giggles, embarrassed as Brock goes on "The king wanted some brave soul to enter the haunted forest and slay whatever this beast was--surely someone in the land could do it, and if that person disappeared, another would take the hapless adventurer's place--especially if there was a reward involved."

"So what was the king's reward?" Misty asks.

"He promised riches beyond anyone's wildest dreams." Brock replied. "For a while, many braved the forest--soldiers who could cut up monsters in at least ten different ways in the blink of an eye, and hunters who could split saplings a hundred yards away with a single arrow. But like many others before them, they too disappeared."

[Did anyone survive whatever was in there?] a Meowth worries.

"One day, a shoemaker's son--we'll call him Nico--decided to try for the jewels and gold." Brock continues. "Many thought him nuts for trying, but the king gave him a sword, armor, and supplies for the journey anyway. Nico knew well the lore of the forest, and trained at the sword when he could to protect his family from what lurked in the forest."

Everyone holds their breath, eager to hear the details of Nico's adventure. "Nico made good time through the forest, ever aware of the many spirits and monsters said to lurk there." Brock goes on. "But his courage won out over his fear, and so he kept going. He made camp in a clearing not far from the center of the forest for the night. As he rested, some rustling startled him, but when he drew his sword to attack the supposed intruder, he saw it was just a little Spinarak."

Misty tenses up at the mention of a Spinarak, but Ash lays a hand on her shoulder, as if to assure her there are no bugs in the tent. "The Spinarak told Nico that she was really a young girl named Elena, and had been cursed to the form of a Spinarak by an evil sorcerer. Nico happened to know the healing magic to undo such a spell, so when he cast it...." Brock pauses to sing Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... the Spinarak became a beautiful young lady."

"Wow..." Melody is impressed. "And then?"

"Elena was grateful for Nico rescuing her, and offered to protect him in return with her own holy magic." Brock continues. "Suddenly, around midnight, they were startled awake by the roar of an Entei-like beast! It ran to eat them, and Nico drew his own blade to attack, supported by a water spell from Elena."

He concludes "Did Nico strike first, or did Elena stun the beast in time for him to attack? Or worse, did the beast eat them both, as it had all the others? You'll have to decide for yourself."

"I think Nico killed it!" Ash declares.

"Yeah, that kingdom deserved to sleep well knowing the haunted forest was no longer haunted." Misty agrees.

(the real tale is based on a tale from Uzbekistan with the same title, which you can find on Google Books)

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 73: Savera the Light Fairy (Misty)

(real tale: The Fairy of the Dawn)

"There was once a king who ruled over a kingdom so big, no one knew where it started and where it ended." Misty begins. "But the people of the land knew that their king was blind, and longed to be able to see more than anything else. He had tried many cures, but when they failed to work, the one that suggested the cure would be run out of town, if you will."

Ash raises an eyebrow, piqued. "The king had three sons, but the one of the three we will concern ourselves with is the youngest--because he knew how to brighten someone's day with kind words, laughter, and song, he was named Lucian, which means 'light'." Misty explains. "He had seen his father in a bad mood many a time, and wondered why. His brothers had dared to ask why, and ran out of the throne room. So rather than risk being ran out of the throne room, Lucian asked the royal healer."

"And what did he--or she--say?" Brock wonders.

"He told Lucian that the reason why his father was so grumpy was because he wanted to see his sons more than anything, but all the blindness cures he had tried didn't work." Misty replies. "He also told Lucian about a light fairy named Savera that lived in a magical spring somewhere in the land. If someone sprinkled the water from Savera's spring over the king's eyes, he would be able to see."

"And then?" Ash asks.

"Lucian told his brothers about this, and the eldest brother eagerly volunteered to go. But on the road, he saw a fearsome Hydreigon, and came scrambling back to the castle in fear. Then the middle brother set out, and the same thing happened--he came scrambling back to the castle in fear."

"I would too if I saw a Hydreigon looming over me." Ash muses.

"But Lucian took his father's shiny Rapidash when he set out, at the suggestion of the court wizard." Misty continued. "It was a long battle, but Lucian managed to kill the Hydreigon and cross an immense desert in the same day."

"Pika pikachu." Pikachu notes.

"While he crossed the desert, Lucian found out the Rapidash could speak, and it told him many things as they trekked through the desert sun." Misty goes on, much to Pikachu's awe. "They finally came to a forest made entirely out of crystal, where the crystal flowers begged Lucian to pick them."

"Pini?" Happini asks.

"Despite the Rapidash's pleas not to, Lucian picked the crystal flowers anyway, summoning the troll said to lurk in the woods." Misty continues. Everyone gasps, but she is quick to assure them. "Luckily, the Rapidash gave Lucian an enchanted bridle, and when he had wrestled the troll to the ground and put the bridle on him, he became a harmless Ponyta."

"I wish I were strong enough to wrestle a troll..." Ash sighs dreamily.

"Lucian went on through a forest of silver and a forest of gold, and the same thing happened--he would pick the flowers despite being told not to, summon the troll, wrestle the troll to the ground and subdue it with an enchanted bridle, turning it into a harmless Ponyta." Misty continues. "Lucian emerged from the gold forest into a mountain snowstorm. His Rapidash told him they were in Articuno's realm, and she would likely help him if he asked very nicely.

"So did Lucian turn into a princesicle out there in the cold?" Melody is concerned.

"He almost did, but he made it to Articuno's abode." Misty assures Melody. "Articuno was amazed someone managed to survive the harsh cold, and gave him an enchanted mirror as a reward. When he looked into it, he saw his father angry--his brothers were trying to take the throne for themselves, but his father felt they were not fit to rule."

"Did Lucian meet the other two birds?" Brock asks.

"He did--Zapdos was impressed he had dodged the lightning around his abode, and told him that he would have something for him for the return trip, but that Moltres would guide him to the spring where Savera lived. When he braved the heat of Moltres' realm, Moltres gave him an enchanted flute, warning him to not look directly at Savera--not only was she very beautiful, but he would be blinded himself."

Ash eagerly digs out one of his whistles. "Before long, Lucian came to the realm of light, which shone in many colors." Misty continues. "Not wanting to risk looking at Savera, he decided to play the flute Moltres had given him." Ash starts a march-like melody, while Brock clinks a pair of spoons and Happini bangs on a tambourine for percussion.

"The song amazingly put Savera to sleep, allowing Lucian to take some of the spring's healing water." Misty continues when the song ends. "Zapdos gave him a magical bottle to put it in, saying that he would not be harmed by sword or by spell so long as he carried it."

[And then he cured his dad, right?] a Meowth asks.

"Lucian had one more thing to worry about--his jealous brothers." Misty replies. "They met him on the way back to the castle, and tried to convince him to give him the bottle. But Lucian knew well that if he gave one of them the bottle, the other would kill him. So he walked right past them and went on to the castle." Misty continues.

She concludes "The king was overjoyed to finally see his son and his castle, and proclaimed him the heir. But as for his brothers, no one ever saw them again."

[Bravo!] Mai leads the applause.

"The music's always a nice touch." Melody agrees as she applauds....

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 74: Caterpie Runs for Chansey (Ash)

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan", episode 31, story 3)

"Once some bug Pokemon were playing in the grass outside a village." Ash begins. "They agreed Caterpie would be 'it' for hide and seek first. So Caterpie counted to ten, and found Yanma first. Yanma was so surprised at Caterpie's appearance, he fell to the ground and hurt a wing."

"Next time, pick a hiding place closer to the ground." Brock muses.

"Caterpie offered to go find a Chansey, but the bugs knew the village had no Pokemon Center, and the closest Pokemon Center was a long way off." Ash explains. "After Caterpie had left for the town, Venipede was volunteered, but the bugs also knew he took a long time to get ready to go anywhere because of his many legs."

"How many legs did this Venipede have?" Melody wonders.

"Usually anywhere from fifty to a hundred is the norm, but there have been some Venipedes with more." Brock replies. "Let's just assume this Venipede had seventy legs." Melody nods.

"As the other bugs hurried off to find healing herbs, Caterpie was making good progress towards the town." Ash continues. "Weedle, meanwhile, was concerned about Venipede, but when he went to check on him, Venipede was STILL getting ready."

Even Misty laughs as the group pictures Weedle's reaction. "Meanwhile, Caterpie finally arrived in town and told Chansey what happened. Chansey agreed to help Yanma, and carried Caterpie, so Caterpie wouldn't have to go all the way back." Ash continues. "Chansey healed Yanma, and told the other bugs that his wing would be good as new in a day or two. Venipede arrived a few minutes later, and Chansey assured him Yanma would be okay."

"This may sound weird, but I'm glad Yanma was okay..." Misty smiles with relief.

Ash just concludes "The bugs thanked Chansey for her help, but it took Venipede all night to take off his shoes!"

Everyone laughs and applauds as Ash takes a bow...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 75: The Aspear Hunter (Brock)

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan", episode 31, story 1)

"In a certain village lived three brothers and their mom." Brock begins. "One day, the mother came down with a terrible disease, and no healer within miles knew how to cure her."

Concerned murmurs race through the tent. "But one healer told the boys that the only way to cure their mom was to find a mystical Aspear Berry that grew in the mountains." Brock assures the crowd. "However, all those that had attempted the quest before had failed."

Ash is about to say something, but Brock quickly silences the murmurs as he continues "The eldest boy--we'll call him Hajime--volunteered to go first, and set out early the next morning. At first, Hajime's journey was uneventful, but as he was traveling through the mountains, Celebi appeared to him, and asked..." In a breathy male voice he asks "Where are you going, young lad?"

"My mother is very sick, and I am searching for a legendary Aspear Berry said to cure her." he replies as an older boy.

"The place you speak of is the Shining Grove, but you mustn't go there!" he cautions as Celebi. "A fearsome Gyarados lurks within the water around the tree you seek."

"But I have to save my mom!" he pleads as Hajime.

"Very well, if you must find this Aspear, I will give you a hint." he assures the audience as Celebi. "If the wind warns you not to approach the Aspear tree as it rustles through the reeds, the Gyarados is awake, and you must turn back. If the wind says it is safe, you can approach the tree, for the Gyarados is sleeping."

Applause goes up at Brock's skillful interplay. "When Hajime got to the Shining Grove, the wind warned him not to approach many times."

"Don't go, the Gyarados is waiting!" Melody fills in the wind's voice. "Don't go, the Gyarados is waiting!"

"Finally, Hajime grew impatient, and approached the tree despite the wind's warning not to." Brock intones. "Sure enough, the Gyarados appeared to him with great roar, and as Hajime had no weapon, he was quickly eaten."

The audience is silent, stunned by the turn of events. "The middle brother--we'll call him Tetsuya--left the next morning, and the same thing happened." Brock continues. "He met Celebi, explained his quest, was told the secret to obtaining the Aspear Berry, ignored the wind's warning, and was eaten by a Gyarados."

[Did the youngest brother have better luck?] a Meowth asks.

"Finally, the youngest brother--we'll call him Yuji--set out, met Celebi, explained his quest, and was told the secret to obtaining the Aspear Berry." Brock goes on before switching to his Celebi voice again. "I sense the flame of determination inside you to save your brothers and heal your mother. So take this magical bow, in case you too meet the Gyarados as your brothers did."

As himself, he goes on "When Yuji got to the Shining Grove, he waited for some time as the wind cautioned..."

"Don't go, the Gyarados is waiting!" Melody fills in the dialogue. "Don't go, the Gyarados is waiting!"

"Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Yuji heard the wind say..." Brock narrates.

"You can go, the Gyarados is sleeping." Melody replies. "You can go, the Gyarados is sleeping."

"So Yuji carefully made his way through the grass and safely picked one of the legendary Aspear Berries." Brock explains as he walks up and pantomimes picking an Aspear Berry from an imagined tree at Ash's feet. "But just when Yuji was about to leave, the Gyarados appeared from the water with a great roar, intent on eating him too!"

"And then?" Misty swallows hard, fearful for Yuji.

"Yuji was not afraid, and easily killed the Gyarados with one arrow from his magical bow, freeing his brothers, who were miraculously unharmed, in the process." Brock narrates, before taking an imaginary arrow and firing it at an imagined Gyarados.

"Nice shot!" Ash is impressed at how well Brock can realistically pantomime firing a bow.

"The mother ate the Aspear Berry and was healed." Brock concludes "and she was always grateful to her boys for their bravery."

He takes a bow as everyone applauds...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 76: Arceus' Counsel (Misty)

(real tale: Prince Darling)

"There was once a king in a far away land who was well loved by his people for his kindness." Misty begins. "One day, he saw a Buneary shivering in a cold rainstorm, and immediately took it in. He didn't know the Buneary was really the Great Lord Arceus in disguise!"

"Pikachu." Pikachu smiles.

"Arceus was pleased the king had passed his test of faith, and offered to grant him one wish." Misty continues. "The king told Arceus that he only wished for guidance for his son--we'll call him Benjamin."

"There has to be a catch..." Ash mumbles.

Arceus agreed to the king's wish, but warned him that he would stay by Benjamin's side so long as he did good things." Misty explains. "If he did bad things to others, Arceus would leave him, and bad things would happen to him."

"There's the catch." Brock assures Ash.

"It wasn't long before the king joined Arceus in the heavens himself." Misty goes on. "Benjamin did well ruling the country on his own, and with Arceus' by his side, he was always in a great mood, leading many to call him King Benjamin the Joyful. There was just one problem..."

"Uh oh..." Ash swallows hard.

"When he was younger, Benjamin was not well taught in right from wrong." Misty intones. "So one day, he was out hunting, and not catching a thing, leaving him so cranky, he kicked his pet Growlithe!"

"Lord Arceus was mad at that..." Melody muses.

"Kicking the Growlithe was only one of Arceus' concerns--he was more angrier about Benjamin's anger and selfishness." Misty replies. "Benjamin tried his best to fix his faults, eventually falling in love with a princess named Celia. But no matter how he tried to do good things, his court was not a good one, and they all kept urging Benjamin to do bad things." Misty goes on. "He imposed harsh laws and high taxes, he killed people for no good reason, and even imprisoned Celia in her own tower!"

"That's not nice!" Ash is appalled at Benjamin's behavior.

"But Arceus was the angriest of all." Misty agrees. "He was so mad, he cursed Benjamin, saying..."

Brock decides to fill in Arceus' dialogue. "I promised your father that I would give you good advice, and to punish you if you refused to follow it. You have despised my counsel, and have gone your own evil way until you are only outwardly a man; really you are a monster--the horror of everyone who knows you. It is time that I should fulfill my promise...I condemn you to resemble the Pokemon whose ways you have imitated. You have made yourself like the Entei by your anger, and like the Mightyena by your greediness. Like an Arbok, you have ungratefully turned upon one who was a second father to you; your churlishness has made you like a Tauros. Therefore, I curse you to take the appearance of all these Pokemon!"

Everyone gasps as they picture the monstrosity. "Sure enough, Benjamin transformed into a hideous creature with an Entei's head, a Tauros' horns, a Mightyena's feet, and a Arbok's body." Misty continues. "Benjamin was frightened at what he had become, and pleaded to Arceus for mercy." Misty continues. "But Arceus only said..."

"I will only forgive you and return you to your true form if you do a good deed to all those that did a good deed for you." Brock intones as Arceus. "Until then, you will remain like this."

"Benjamin fled into the woods, but he was captured by the royal tamers and put on display as a mutant Pokemon." Misty continues. "He managed to befriend the tamer in charge of him, and did his best to treat him well. One day, a Raikou got loose, and try as the tamers might, three were killed in the struggle. But when Benjamin saw the Raikou about to kill his only friend, he sprung into action and killed the Raikou after a long battle, saving his friend's life. As a reward for doing a good deed, Arceus transformed him into a Growlithe. The tamer believed the Growlithe had saved him, and told the court what had happened. Just then, Benjamin saw Celia approaching him with one of the royal sages, and in all his barks and yips, he told Celia and the whole court he was sorry for mistreating them."

"Pini pinipi?" Happini asks, her eyes shining hopefully.

Misty smiles--Happini figured out who the sage really was. "It turned out the sage with Celia was Arceus in disguise, and he restored Benjamin to his human form."

Brock fills in Arceus' dialogue. "Celia has always loved you ever since she first saw you, only she would not tell you while you were following evil's path. Now that you have turned from your wicked ways, you deserve to be happy, and so she will love you for all time."

"Benjamin and Celia were soon married, and Benjamin did very well to love Celia and treat his people well." Misty concludes. "But he was especially grateful to Arceus for forgiving him and giving him another chance."

She is flattered by the group's applause, so after acknowledging Brock, she takes a bow herself.

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 77: Three Axes (Ash)

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 22, story 1)

"Have you ever wondered why upgrading the bomb bag in Zelda requires proving your honesty to a fairy?" Ash asks the others.

"Why?" Misty is piqued.

"The puzzle is itself a reference to this tale from Shinou, which Dawn told to Brock and me our first night together." Ash explains before beginning "There once was a woodcutter that lived in a certain village. And every morning, he went into the forest to cut wood. Although he would cut a lot of wood every day, he would not make much money. Although his axe was old, he took good care of it."

"Mm-hm, and then?" Misty asks as she pets Azurill.

"One day, as it was getting dark, he was still not done cutting down a certain tree." Ash continues, pantomiming cutting down a tree to prove his point. After wiping the feigned sweat from his brow, he continues "In his rush to try and finish cutting the tree down, he lost his axe, which fell in a spring."

"Pika?" Pikachu holds Happini and Azurill close.

"As the woodcutter pondered how to find his axe, Manaphy appeared to him and asked what the matter was." Ash assures Pikachu. "The woodcutter told Manaphy what happened, and Manaphy showed him a gold axe, asking if it was the right one--and the woodcutter said no. Manaphy showed him a silver axe next, but the woodcutter said that wasn't the right one either. When Manaphy showed him the old axe, the woodcutter recognized it right away as the right one."

"Sound familiar?" Brock asks Happini.

"Manaphy was pleased with the woodcutter's honesty, and gave him all three axes." Ash continues.

Ba-da-da-DAAAAAAAAHHHH! Brock can't resist singing the Zelda 'got item' fanfare for effect. The Pokemon find this hilarious and howl with laughter.

"Nice one, Brock!" Misty giggles as she wipes away a tear of laughter.

Ash waits for the laughter to quiet, then continues "The woodcutter was about to thank Manaphy, but Manaphy disappeared before he could say anything. He returned home and told his wife what happened. His wife explained that Manaphy rewarded him for being honest, and so they kept the gold and silver axes as heirlooms."

"Just like you get a bigger bomb bag by being honest with the fairy." Brock grins.

"The next day, a neighbor of the woodcutter came over and spotted the three axes." Ash continues. "The woodcutter told his neighbor what happened, and the neighbor was inspired to try and get three axes of his own."

[The problem with neighbors in stories is they are often greedy and cruel...] Mai mutters.

"It wasn't long before he found the spring and threw his axe into the water." Ash pauses to do this for effect. "Manaphy appeared, and the neighbor explained that he lost his axe. When he was shown the gold axe, the neighbor claimed it is his."

"Pini..." Happini giggles at Manaphy's likely reaction.

"This angered Manaphy, and he told the neighbor he wouldn't share with liars as he disappeared." Ash explains as the Pokemon giggle over Manaphy's reaction. "The neighbor was undeterred, and waded into the water in an attempt to find his own axe--and it is said he is still looking!"

"Moral of the story--be honest to fairies, spirits and Legendary Pokemon." Brock smiles as he leads the applause...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 78: The Money Tree (Brock)

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 31, story 2)

"Once the king of a certain land was holding a grand feast one day to celebrate the impending arrival of his first child." Brock begins. "Suddenly, his wife tripped over the doorway..." He feigns tripping over something, to some giggles. "making everyone laugh." More laughter goes up at this, as if on cue. "The king, however, was angry at being embarrassed, so he divorced the woman and sent her back to her homeland."

"That's not nice!" Ash gasps. "Nor is it fair!"

"How could someone be divorced simply for a klutzy moment?" Misty demands.

"The woman settled down in a small village nearby the capital city, where she gave birth to a happy and healthy little boy--she named him Kazuki, which means 'harmonious hope'." Brock explains. "Kazuki grew up to be smart and energetic, but something always troubled him--who was his father?"

Piqued murmurs go up at this. "When Kazuki asked his mom this, she told him what had happened years before. Brock continues. "Like you guys, he was saddened and angered that his mother had been driven away from a life of luxury all because of a simple clumsy act. So he decided he would show the king how flawed his decision had been."

"So what did he do?" Melody asks as she combs out her hair.

"One day, Kazuki gathered all the Berry seeds he could find, and brought them into the capital city. He patrolled at the palace's front gate all day, calling..." In character as Ash, Brock calls "Money trees for sale!"

Laughter goes up at Brock's scarily accurate impression. "This wore on for a week, until the king began wondering who the boy was, and if he really was selling money trees." Brock explains as himself. "Kazuki was brought before the king, and the king asked him..." In a deeper version of himself, he asks "Is it true that the seeds you have really will grow money trees?"

"Yes--only a girl with a beautiful heart will make the money tree sprout." he replies in his Ash voice again.

"I'm not sure someone like that exists in the kingdom..." he muses as the king.

"I know someone like that!" he announces as Ash. "That someone is my mother, the same girl you sent away ten years ago!"

Some light applause goes up at Brock's interplay, but most of the small audience holds their breath to see how the king will react to the shocking news. "It dawned on the king just how rash he had been ten years before, and sent word asking his wife back to the castle." Brock concludes as himself. "They all lived happily ever after, grateful for Kazuki's wisdom and cleverness."

"No matter how many times you mimic us, I'm still impressed at your ability at doing voices." Misty smiles as she applauds...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 79: Questions for Meloetta (Misty)

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan", episode 17, story 3)

"Once a certain miko, or priestess, traveled across the land seeking wisdom--we'll call her Rena." Misty begins. "In every place she stopped, she would ask people questions."

"What kind of questions?" Ash is interested.

"Sometimes the questions were general knowledge, sometimes they were moral questions, and sometimes they were philosophical questions." Misty replies. "No matter what sort of question Rena asked, sometimes she got great answers, and other times, the answers were not that great." Giggles go up and whispers of what some of the sillier answers were fill the air.

Misty's voice silences the chatter. "One day, Rena came to a small village, and saw that the temple had some wear and tear on its roof and its sides. She found it odd that someone would allow the temple to fall into disrepair, but went inside anyway."

The group's speculation turns to why the temple had wear to begin with. "Rena was shocked to find that the high priest was not in his robes, and had been dozing when she arrived." Misty notes.

"Talk about being asleep at the wheel..." Brock notes.

Laughter goes up at Brock's comment. "Although to be fair, the young priest--we'll call him Kimari--was a bit on the lazy side, and had only been the high priest for a short time, meaning he was not yet used to his duties." Misty explains to the group. "Kimari scrambled to his feet and told Rena..." As a young boy, she stammers "Forgive me, my lady, but the high priest is away right now. He will return in the morning."

As a young girl, she replies "Very well, I will return in the morning, after the morning prayers have been said."

Some "ooh"s go up as Misty continues, now as herself. "No sooner did Rena depart, did Kimari realize he had lied to a miko."

"Uh oh..." Ash snickers at Misty's expression of feigned panic.

"He fell to his knees..." Misty pauses to kneel on a towel before an imagined altar. "and pleaded to Arceus to forgive him for his lie, and to help him out of his predicament."

Giggles filled the air as Misty pantomimed praying for a moment. "Suddenly, Kimari was jolted from his prayers by a soothing song."

Anome, tafihi de so... Melody fills in the song.

Excited murmurs race through the tent. "Kimari hurried outside, and was shocked to see the guardian of song, Meloetta, resting against a rock. She looked into Kimari's eyes and asked him... In her best mimic of Melody, Misty asks "You seem troubled...will you tell me what's the matter?"

"That was pretty good!" Ash is impressed as how accurate Misty's impersonation of Melody is.

As herself, Misty continues. "Kimari told Meloetta what had happened, and she replied..." As Melody again, she assures the audience "If you wish, I will answer the miko's questions in your place in return for a night's lodging."

"I have fond memories of that night..." Melody sighs in nostalgia.

"Kimari readily agreed to Meloetta's proposal, and made sure she had the best food and lodging he could find." Misty continues as herself. "Rena returned the next morning, and Kimari escorted her inside the main prayer hall, where Meloetta was waiting. Needless to say, Rena was very honored to be before the temple's patron Legendary, and immediately started asking Meloetta all sorts of questions. Kimari listened from outside--no matter what sort of question Rena asked, Meloetta would answer in her holy spellsong."

Melody sings some nonsense spellsongs for effect. Talida amia ili... Ruibe neta mode... Matam ista etare ichi... Eshuna, arerina do...

"After several hours, Rena emerged from the prayer hall with a smile on her face." Misty goes on. "Kimari then asked Rena just what it was Meloetta told her to make her so happy."

As Rena, she tells the group "There is much wisdom in Meloetta's songs... when I asked how much does Arceus love the world, she told me that Arceus' love is as deep as the sea. When I asked what the five basic elements of the universe were, she replied earth, fire, wind, water, and spirit. When I asked Meloetta how you can see the entire world at once, she replied that you can see the world in a person's eyes."

She concludes as herself "Kimari was awed at Meloetta's answers, and vowed that he would take his priestly duties more seriously. Rena, meanwhile, continued on her journey, giving thanks to Arceus for allowing her to speak with Meloetta."

"Do you know what became of Kimari after that?" Ash asks Melody as he applauds.

"Sadly, no." Melody sighs. "I moved on my own travels, just as the miko did."