A Threesome's Tales

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 179: The Children of the Underworld (Brock)

(real tale: The Three Brothers)

"There was once in a certain land a witch, who in the shape of a Braviary, used every night to break the windows of a certain village shrine." Brock begins. "Now, in the same village there lived three brothers, who were all determined to kill the mischievous Braviary. But the two middle brothers stood guard in the shrine with their bows in vain--as soon as the Braviary appeared in the sky, sleep overcame them, and they only awoke to hear the windows crashing in."

"Interesting..." Misty muses.

"Then the youngest brother--we'll call him Rand--took his turn of guarding the windows, and to keep from falling asleep, he placed a lot of thorns under his chin, so that if he felt drowsy and nodded his head, they would prick him and keep him awake." Brock explains. "The moon was already up, and it was as bright as daytime, when suddenly he heard a fearful noise, and at the same time a terrible desire to sleep overpowered him."

"Uh oh..." Ash swallows hard.

"His eyes closed, and his head sank on his shoulders, but the thorns poked him and were so painful that he woke with a jump." Brock goes on, feigning a jolt of surprise. "He saw the Braviary swooping down on the shrine, and quickly grabbed his bow..." He pauses to pantomime aiming a bow. "...and shot an arrow at the majestic Pokemon." With that, he lets go of his pantomime bowstring.

[Did he hit his prey?] Mai asks.

"The Braviary fell under a big rock, which severely wounded its right wing." Brock replies. "Rand hurried to look at it, and saw that a huge pit had opened below the rock. He ran to get his brothers, and with their help dragged a lot of wood and ropes to the spot."

"What's the rope and wood for?" Ash wonders.

"They fastened some of the wood to the end of the rope, lit it, and slowly lowered it down to the bottom of the pit." Brock explains. "At first it was quite dark, and the flaming torch only lit up dirty grey stone walls. But Rand was determined to explore the pit, and so after climbing down the rope, he soon reached the bottom, where he found a lovely meadow full of green trees and exquisite flowers."

"Wow..." Misty gasps as she pictures the meadow in her head.

"In the middle of the meadow stood a huge stone castle, with an iron gate leading to it, which was wide open. Everything in the castle seemed to be made of silver, and the only inhabitant he could discover was a lovely girl, who we'll call Ariana. Ariana was combing her jet black hair; and Rand noticed that whenever one of her hairs fell on the ground, it rang like pure metal. Rand looked at her more closely, and saw that her skin was smooth and fair, her emerald eyes bright and sparkling, and her hair as black as the night. He fell in love with her on the spot, and kneeling at her feet, he confessed his love for her and asked her to be his wife."

"Aw..." Misty smiles.

"And they all lived happily ever ever--the end!" Ash smirks.

Brock just smiles at Ash, silently telling him that the story's not over yet. "Ariana accepted Rand's proposal; but she warned him that she could not come up to the world of light till her mother, the old witch, was dead. She went on to tell him that the only way in which the witch could be killed was with the sword that hung up in the castle; but the sword was so heavy that no one could lift it."

"I bet it shot magic beams, or something..." Ash muses.

Then Rand came to a room in the castle where everything was made of gold, and he found another beautiful girl, Ariana's middle sister Orinda. She was combing her auburn hair, and every hair that fell on the ground rang like pure metal." Brock continues. Orinda gave Rand the sword, but though he tried with all his strength he could not lift it. Finally, Ariana's eldest sister Christina came to him and gave him a potion of strength to drink. He drank a little bit, but still he could not lift the sword; then he drank a little more, and the sword began to move; but only after he had drank it all was he able to lift the sword over his head."

BA-DA-DA-DAAAAAAAH!!!! Ash can't resist singing the Zelda 'got item' theme

Even Brock is laughing before he composes himself and goes on "Then Rand hid himself in the castle and awaited the old witch's arrival. Just as it was beginning to grow dark, she appeared. She flew down on a big Leppa tree, and after shaking some shining Leppa Berries from it, she jumped down to the ground. As soon as her feet touched the ground she transformed from a Braviary into a woman. This was the moment Rand was waiting for, and he swung his mighty sword in the air with all his strength and cut the witch's head clean off!"

Cheers go up from the audience. "Without fear of any further danger, Rand packed up all the treasures of the castle into huge chests, and gave his brothers a signal to pull them up out of the pit." Brock continues. "First, the treasures were attached to the rope, and then the three girls. It wasn't long before everything was up on the surface and only he remained. But he was a little suspicious of his brothers, so he fastened a heavy stone on to the rope and let them pull it up. At first they heaved and pulled, but when the stone was halfway up they just let it drop, and it fell to the bottom and broke into a gazillion pieces."

[I'm glad that wasn't Rand!] Korra heaves a sigh of relief.

"'So that's what would have happened to me had I trusted myself to them,' Rand thought." Brock affirms Korra's prediction. "He began to cry bitterly, not because of the treasures, but because of his beloved Ariana."

"So did he ever see Ariana again?" Misty is concerned for Rand.

"For a long time he wandered all through the beautiful underworld, until he met a mage who asked him why he cried." Brock continues. "Rand told him all that had happened, and the mage said..."

In character as Flint, he tells the audience "Do not grieve, young one! If you will guard the children who are hidden in the shining Leppa tree, I will bring you to the world of light. A demon mage who lives in this land always eats my children up. It is in vain that I have hidden them under the earth and locked them into the castle. Now I have hidden them in the Leppa tree; hide yourself there too, and at midnight you will see my enemy."

"Pika pika?" Pikachu sparks with excitement.

"Rand climbed up the tree, and picked some of the beautiful shining Leppa Berries, which he had for his dinner." Brock replies as himself. "At midnight, the wind began to pick up, and a rustling sound was heard at the foot of the tree. Rand looked down and spotted a long Seviper beginning to crawl up the tree. It wound itself round the stem and gradually got higher and higher. It stretched its huge head, in which the eyes glittered fiercely, among the branches, searching for the nest in which the little children lay. They trembled with terror when they saw the hideous creature, and hid themselves beneath the leaves."

Everyone is on the edge of their seats to hear the children's fates. "Then Rand swung his mighty sword in the air, and with one blow cut off the Seviper's head!" Brock announces. "He cut up the rest of the body into little bits and scattered them to the wind."

The Pokemon cheer as Brock goes on "The mage was so delighted over the death of his enemy that he told Rand to close his eyes, and he sang Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... which warped Rand up to the surface."

He concludes "Rand hurried as fast as he could to his brothers' house and burst into a room where they were all assembled, but no one knew who he was. Only his beloved, who was serving as cook to her sisters, recognized her lover, and ran to embrace him. His brothers, who figured Rand was dead, abandoned his treasures and fled into the woods in terror. But Rand was not one to hold a grudge-- he forgave them for all they had done, and shared his treasures with them. He built himself a big castle with gold windows, and he lived happily ever after with his beloved Ariana."

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 180: Wartortle Guards the Spring (Misty)

(real tale: Jackal and the Spring)


"Once all the streams and rivers ran so dry that the Pokemon did not know how to get water." Misty begins. "So after a very long search, they found a tiny spring, which only needed a little digging to produce plenty of water. So the Pokemon decided to dig a well, and no Pokemon was without a job."

She catches herself. "Well, all except for Fennekin. She hated work of any kind, and would go to any lengths to get somebody to do it for her."

The boys giggle as Misty goes on. "When they had finished digging the well, the Pokemon held a council to decide who should be made the guardian of the well, so that Fennekin was kept away from it--since she wouldn't work, she wasn't welcome to drink from it."

"Seems fair..." Brock muses.

"After some discussion, it was decided that Buneary should be left in charge. Misty continues. "After all the other Pokemon had left, Fennekin arrived. She called good morning to Buneary, and Buneary politely said good morning back. Then Fennekin unfastened the little bag that hung at her side, and pulled out a piece of honeycomb to nibble at, telling Buneary that her sweet snack was nicer than any water."

Ash giggles in anticipation as Misty continues "Of course, Buneary asked if she could have some, and Fennekin gave her a tiny piece. Of course, that little piece of honeycomb was delicious, but when Buneary asked for more, Fennekin said that in order to get more, Buneary would have to have her paws tied behind her, and lie on her back, so that Fennekin could pour it into Buneary's mouth."

"Of course, it was all a trick, right?" Ash smiles.

"Buneary did as she was told, and when she was tied up tight and on her back, Fennekin ran to the spring and drank her fill. When she had enough, she returned to her den." Misty continues, confirming Ash's prediction. "That evening,when the Pokemon returned, and when they saw Buneary lying there all tied up, they asked her what happened. Buneary told them everything, and the Pokemon agreed that someone more attuned to Fennekin's wiles would be a better guard. So after some more discussion, Pikachu volunteered to guard the spring."

"Pika chu! Pikachu" gives Misty a little salute, then paces the ground before some water bottles, as if expecting Fennekin to enter the tent and try to take one.

Misty giggles at Pikachu patrolling before continuing "The next morning the Pokemon all went their separate ways, leaving Pikachu to guard the spring. Needless to say, Pikachu fared no better--Fennekin enticed him with some honeycomb too, which was only a ruse foe Fennekin to tie him up and drink from the spring."

"So then who guarded the spring?" Ash wonders, stifling a giggle at how cute Pikachu looks patrolling.

"Well, when the Pokemon got together that night, Persian suggested that Wartortle guard the spring." Misty explains. "The next morning, the Pokemon all went about their daily routines, leaving Wartortle to guard the spring. When they had all left the Fennekin returned and called good morning. But Wartortle didn't reply. Fennekin tried again, but still got no reply."

"So what did Fennekin do?" Brock asks, grinning in anticipation.

"Fennekin figured she could kick Wartortle on one side, and then go have a drink." Misty replies. "So she went up to Wartortle and whispered to her, but Wartortle didn't notice. Then, Fennekin kicked Wartortle out of the way, and went to the well and began to drink, but she had barely taken a sip when Wartortle grabbed her by the leg!"

Everyone laughs at this. "Fennekin pleaded for Wartortle to put her down, but Wartortle only held on tighter." Misty goes on. "Then Fennekin took her bag and tried to make the Wartortle smell the honeycomb she had inside; but Wartortle turned away from the smell. Fennekin tried everything to get Wartortle to put her down, but Wartortle still held on."

She concludes "Wartortle was still holding Fennekin when the other Pokemon returned. The moment she saw them, Fennekin finally wriggled free, and ran into the brush as fast as she could. The Pokemon thanked Wartortle for a job well done, as they were pretty sure Fennekin wasn't going to come back!"

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 181: The Shining Meowth (Ash)

(real tale: The White Cat)

"There was once a king who had three sons, who were all so clever and brave that he began to fear that they would want to reign over the kingdom before he had joined Arceus in the heavens." Ash begins. "Now the king, though he felt that he was growing old, did not want to give up the his kingdom while he could still rule it, so he decided the best way to live in peace would be to distract his sons by promises that he could always back out of keeping them."

"Ha pini pi!" Happini protests.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu agrees.

"So he sent for them all, and, after speaking to them kindly, he went on..." Ash narrates.

"You will agree with me, my sons, that my age makes it impossible for me to look after my affairs of state as carefully as I once did. I fear that this may affect the welfare of my subjects, therefore I wish that one of you should succeed to my throne; but in return for such a gift as this it is only right that you should prove yourselves to me. I hope to retire into the country, so it seems to me that a pretty, lively, faithful little Growlithe would be a fine companion. The one who brings me the most beautiful Growlithe will inherit the throne." Brock explains as the king.

"The three princes were greatly surprised by their father's sudden fancy for a Growlithe, but it gave the two younger ones a chance they would not otherwise have had of being king, and as the eldest was too polite to make any objection, they accepted their father's proposal with pleasure." Ash continues. "They bade farewell to the king, who gave them silver and jewels, and agreed to meet them back at the palace when a year had passed, to see the Growlithes they had brought for him."

"So what adventures did they have?" Melody asks.

"After traveling for a while, they came to a castle in another land, accompanied by all their friends." Ash replies. "They threw a big party there, and the three brothers promised to be friends forever, to share whatever good fortune they discovered, and not to be severed by jealousy. They set out the next morning, agreeing to meet at the same castle at the appointed time, to present themselves before their father together."

After pausing for a moment, he continues "Each one took a different road, and the two eldest had many adventures; but our story concerns the youngest prince--who was named Dillon. He was young, brave, pure of heart, and handsome, and knew everything that a prince needed to know."

"Pini..." Happini sighs dreamily as she pictures her idea of what Prince Dillon looks like.

"Hardly a day passed without him buying Growlithes of all shapes and sizes." Ash continues. "As soon as he had bought a pretty one he would find one that was even prettier, and then he had to get rid of all the others and buy that one, as, being alone, it was nigh on impossible to take a billion Growlithes with him. He wandered about the land for days on end, not knowing where he was going, until he came to a great, gloomy forest. He did not know his way, and, to make matters worse, a great storm blew up."

"Uh oh..." Misty giggles.

"He took the first path he could find, and after walking for a while, he swore he saw a faint light, and began to hope that he was coming to some house where he might find shelter for the night." Ash goes on. "After following the light for a while, he reached the door of the most beautiful castle he had ever seen. The door was made of gold covered with rubies, and it was the pure red light which shone from them that had shown him the way through the forest. The walls were of the finest porcelain in all the most delicate colors, and Prince Dillon saw that all the stories he had ever read were written upon them; but as he was terribly wet, and the rain was coming down hard, he went back to the golden door. There he saw a Sawsbuck's foot hanging by a chain of diamonds, and he began to wonder who could live in this magnificent castle.

'They must feel very secure against bandits,' he said to himself. 'What is to hinder anyone from cutting off that chain and digging out those rubies, and making himself rich for life?'"

"Unless there's a hidden security system, or something..." Brock muses.

"He pulled the Sawsbuck's foot, and a silver bell rang and the door flew open, but Prince Dillon could see nothing but ethereal hands in the air, each holding a torch." Ash goes on. "He was so surprised that he stood very still, until he felt himself pushed forward by other hands, so that, though he was somewhat uneasy, he could not help going on. With his hand on his sword, to be prepared for whatever might happen, he entered a hall paved with sapphires, where a cryptic message on the wall read 'The hands you see floating above Will swiftly your bidding obey; If your heart dreads not conquering Love, In this place you may fearlessly stay.'"

"What did that mean?" Misty wonders.

"Prince Dillon figured that the residents of the castle did not wish to harm him if he was welcomed in a grand manner, so, guided by the mysterious hands, he went toward a door of coral, which opened on its own, and he found himself in a vast hall of pearl, out of which opened a number of other rooms, glittering with thousands of lights, and full of such beautiful pictures and precious things that he hardly know where to begin exploring." Ash goes on. "After passing through about sixty rooms the hands disappeared, and Prince Dillon saw a comfortable armchair by the fireplace. As soon as he made himself at home, the fire lit itself, and the ethereal hands took off Prince Dillon's wet, muddy clothes, and presented him with fresh ones made of the finest material, all embroidered with gold and jewels. He could not help admiring everything he saw, and the deft way in which the hands tended to him, though they sometimes appeared so suddenly that they made him jump."

Everyone giggles as Ash feigns surprise for a moment, as if the ethereal hands he described are there. "When he was comfortable and presentable--and I can assure you that he looked very different from the wet and weary prince he was minutes earlier--the hands led him to a splendid room, where the walls were lined with portraits telling the stories of Meowth in Boots and many other famous Meowths. The table was set for dinner with two golden plates, and golden spoons and forks, and the tablecloth was covered with dishes and glasses of crystal set with precious stones. Prince Dillon was wondering who the second place could be for, when suddenly about a dozen Meowths with all kinds of instruments and sheet music, came and took their places at one end of the room, and under the direction of a Persian, played all manner of dances and airs."

Misty and Brock play a waltz as an interlude. "Although Prince Dillon enjoyed the music very much, the fact that he was listening to a orchestra of Meowths made him burst out in giggles." Ash continues, chuckling himself. "What funny thing shall I see next?" he said to himself, and as if on cue the door opened, and in came a tiny figure covered by a long black veil."

[What was it?] a Meowth wonders.

"It was attended by two Meowths wearing blue capes and carrying swords, and a large party of Meowths followed, who brought in cages full of Rattatas." Ash replies. "Prince Dillon was so astonished that he pinched himself to make sure he was not dreaming, but the little figure came up to him and unveiled itself, and he saw that it was the loveliest little Shiny Meowth. She looked very young and very sad, and in a sweet little voice that went straight to his heart she said to him..."

"King's son, you are welcome; Queen Persian is glad to see you." Melody fills in the Meowth's dialogue.

"Lady Meowth," Ash interjects as Prince Dillon. "I thank you for receiving me so kindly, but surely you are no ordinary Meowth? The way you speak and the magnificence of your castle prove it plainly."

"King's son," Melody continues as the Shiny Meowth, "I beg you to spare me these compliments, for I am not used to them. But now," she added, "let dinner be served, and let the musicians rest, for they have played enough for now."

"So the mysterious hands began to bring in the meal, and first they put on the table two dishes, one containing stewed Pidoves and the other a fricassee of Rattatas." Ash continues, over some "ew"s from Misty and Brock. "The sight of that dish made Prince Dillon feel sick; but the Shiny Meowth, seeing this, assured him that the dishes intended for him were prepared in a separate kitchen, and were perfectly fit for a human to eat; Just then, he noticed that on one paw the Shiny Meowth wore a bracelet containing a portrait, and he asked to be allowed to look at it."

"What was in there?" Brock asks.

"To his surprise he found it represented an extremely handsome young man, who was so like himself that for all he knew, it might have been his own portrait! The Shiny Meowth sighed as he looked at it, and seemed sadder than ever, and Prince Dillon did not ask any questions for fear of displeasing her; so he began to talk about other things, and found that she was interested in all the subjects he cared for himself, and seemed to know quite well what was going on in the world." Ash replies. "After dinner they went into a fine theater, and the Meowths put on a variety show for them."

Pika pika pi pikachu, pika pika pi pichu... Pikachu sings as he teeters across the grass.

Ash tries oh-so-hard not to laugh at Pikachu trying to tap dance. "Then the Shiny Meowth said good night to him, and the hands led him into a room he had not seen before, hung with tapestry worked with Beautiflies' wings of every color; there were mirrors that reached from the ceiling to the floor, and a little white bed with curtains of gauze tied up with ribbons. Prince Dillon went to bed in silence, as he did not quite know how to begin a conversation with the hands that waited on him, and in the morning he was awakened by noise by his window, and the hands came and quickly dressed him. When he looked out all the Meowths were assembled in the courtyard, some leading Arcanines, and some blowing horns, for the Shiny Meowth was going out hunting. The hands led a wooden Ponyta up to Prince Dillon, and seemed to expect him to mount it, at which he was very adamant at first; but it was no use for him to object, for he speedily found himself upon its back, and it pranced happily off with him aboard."

Giggles go up as the group pictures the odd scene. "The Shiny Meowth herself was riding a Infernape, which climbed even up to the Braviary's nests when she had a fancy for the young Rufflets." Ash explains. "Never was there a grander hunting party, and when they returned to the castle Prince Dillon and the Shiny Meowth enjoyed another grand meal together, but when they had finished she offered him a crystal goblet, which must have contained a magic potion, for, as soon as he had swallowed its contents, he forgot everything, even the Growlithe that he was seeking for the king, and only thought how happy he was to be with the Shiny Meowth!"

[Did he ever remember?] a Meowth worries.

"And so the days passed, until the year was nearly gone. Prince Dillon had forgotten all about meeting his brothers: he did not even know what country he belonged to; but the Shiny Meowth knew when he ought to go back, and one day she said to him..."

"Do you know that you have only three days left to look for the Growlithe for your father, and your brothers have found lovely ones?" Melody asks as the Shiny Meowth.

"Then Prince Dillon suddenly recovered his memory, and cried..." Ash then switches to his "Prince Dillon" voice. "What could have made me forget such an important thing? My whole fortune depends upon it; and even if I could in such a short time find a Growlithe pretty enough to gain me a kingdom, where would I find a Ponyta who would carry me all that way in three days?"

As himself, he goes on "He was quite vexed, but the Shiny Meowth said to him...

"King's son, do not trouble yourself; I am your friend, and will make everything easy for you. You can still stay here for a day, as the good wooden Ponyta can take you to your homeland in twelve hours." Melody assures Ash as the Meowth.

"I thank you, beautiful Meowth," Ash replies as Prince Dillon. "but what good will it do me to get back if I have not a Growlithe to take to my father?"

"See here," Melody continues, holding up an acorn; "there is a prettier one in this than in Sirius itself!"

"Oh, Lady Meowth..." Ash sighs as Prince Dillon, "how unkind you are to laugh at me now!"

"Only listen," Melody replies, before flying over and holding the acorn to his ear.

After a few tense seconds, Ash announces as himself "And inside that acorn, he distinctly heard a tiny yip of a Growlithe. Prince Dillon was delighted, for a Growlithe that can fit in an acorn must be very small indeed. He wanted to take it out and look at it, but the Shiny Meowth said it would be better not to open the acorn till he was before the king, in case the tiny Growlithe should get cold on the way. He thanked her a thousand times over, and said good-bye quite sadly when the time came for him to leave.

"The days have passed so quickly with you," he explains as Prince Dillon, "I only wish I could take you with me now."

"But the Shiny Meowth shook her head and sighed deeply in reply." he continues as himself. "Prince Dillon was the first to arrive at the castle where he had agreed to meet his brothers, but they came soon after, and stared in amazement when they saw the wooden Ponyta in the courtyard jumping like a hunter."

Everyone laughs as Ash continues "Prince Dillon met them joyfully, and they began to tell him all their adventures; but he managed to hide from them what he had been doing, and even led them to think that he was bringing a perfectly average Growlithe for the king. Fond as they all were of one another, the two eldest could not help being glad to think that their Growlithes certainly had a better chance. The next morning they left for the palace in the same coach. The elder brothers carried in baskets two such tiny, fragile Growlithes that they hardly dared to touch them. As for Prince Dillon's Growlithe, he ran after the coach, and got so covered with mud that one could hardly see what he looked like at all. When they reached the palace everyone crowded around to welcome them as they went into the throne room; and when the two brothers presented their Growlithes nobody could decide which was the prettier. They were already arranging between themselves to share the kingdom equally, when Prince Dillon stepped forward, drawing from his pocket the acorn the Shiny Meowth had given him. He opened it quickly, and there upon a white cushion they saw a Growlithe so small that it could easily fit through a ring. Prince Dillon laid it upon the ground, and it got up and danced without being told."

"Wow!" Brock gasps, impressed.

"The king did not know what to say, for it was impossible that anything could be prettier than that little Pokemon." Ash explains. "Nevertheless, as he was in no hurry to part with his crown, he told his sons that, as they had been so successful the first time, he would ask them to go once again, and seek by land and sea for a piece of silk so fine that it could be drawn through the eye of a needle. The brothers were not very willing to set out again, but the two eldest consented because it gave them another chance, and they started as before. The youngest again mounted the wooden Ponyta, and rode back at full speed to his beloved Shiny Meowth. Every door of the castle stood wide open, and every window and turret was illuminated, so it looked more wonderful than before. The hands hastened to meet him, and led the wooden Ponyta off to the stable, while he hurried in to find the Shiny Meowth. She was asleep in a little basket on a white satin cushion, but she woke with a jump when she heard Prince Dillon's footsteps, and was overjoyed at seeing him again."

"How could I hope that you would come back to me, king's son?" Melody asks as the Meowth.

"Prince Dillon stroked and petted her, and told her of his successful journey, and how he had come back to ask her help, as he believed that it was impossible to find what the King demanded." Ash continues. "The Shiny Meowth looked serious, and said she must think what was to be done, but that, luckily, there were some Meowths in the castle who could spin very well, and if anybody could manage it they could, and she would ask them to do it herself."

[And then?] Even Mai is intrigued.

"Then the hands appeared carrying torches, and led Prince Dillon and the Shiny Meowth to a long gallery which overlooked the river, from the windows of which they saw a magnificent display of fireworks of all sorts."

"Pika..." Pikachu smiles as he pictures the fireworks in his mind.

"When the show had ended, they had dinner which Prince Dillon liked even better than the fireworks, for it was very late, and he was hungry after his long ride." Ash continues. "And so the days passed quickly as before; it was impossible to feel dull with the Shiny Meowth, and she had quite a talent for inventing new things to do-- indeed, she was cleverer than a Meowth has any right to be. But when Prince Dillon asked her how it was that she was so wise, she only said...

"King's son, do not ask me; guess what you please. I cannot tell you anything just yet." Melody cautions as the Meowth

"Prince Dillon was so happy that he did not trouble himself at all about the time, but it wasn't long before the Shiny Meowth told him that the year was almost up, and that he need not be at all anxious about the piece of silk, as they had made it very well." Ash narrates.

"This time," Melody continues, "I can give you a suitable escort"

When he looked out into the courtyard, Prince Dillon saw a superb coach of burnished gold, enameled in red with a thousand different devices." Ash explains. "It was drawn by twelve Shiny Ponytas, harnessed four abreast; their trappings were flame-colored velvet, embroidered with diamonds. A hundred coaches followed, each drawn by eight Ponytas, and filled with officers in splendid uniforms, and a thousand guards surrounded the procession."

"Go!" Melody calls as the Shiny Meowth, "and when you appear before the king like this, he surely will not refuse you the crown which you deserve. Take this walnut, but do not open it until you are before him, then you will find in it the piece of silk you asked me for."

"Lovely Bianca," Ash asks as Prince Dillon, "how can I thank you properly for all your kindness to me? Only tell me that you wish it, and I will give up forever all thought of being king, and will stay here with you."

"King's son," Melody replies, "it shows the goodness of your heart that you should care so much for a little shining Meowth, who is good for nothing but to catch Rattatas; but you must not stay here."

"So Prince Dillon kissed her little paw and set out." Ash continues. "You can imagine how fast he traveled when I tell you that they reached the king's palace in just six hours."

"That's quick!" Misty gasps in amazement.

"This time Prince Dillon was so late that he did not try to meet his brothers at their castle, so they thought he could not be coming, and were rather glad of it, and displayed their pieces of silk to the king proudly, feeling sure of success." Ash continues. "And indeed the stuff was very fine, and would go through the eye of a very large needle; but the king, who more than willing to make the challenge harder, sent for a particular needle, which was kept among the crown jewels, and had such a small eye that everybody agreed that it was impossible for the silk should pass through it."

"I has to be trick..." Brock mutters.

"The princes were angry, and were beginning to wonder if it was all a trick, when suddenly the trumpets sounded and Prince Dillon came in." Ash continues. "His father and brothers were quite astonished at his magnificence, and after he had greeted them he took the walnut from his pocket and opened it, fully expecting to find the piece of silk, but instead there was only a hazelnut. He cracked it, and there lay a Cheri pit. Everybody was looking on, and the king was chuckling to himself at the idea of finding the piece of silk in a nutshell."

Giggles go up at Prince Dillon's frustrations. "However, Prince Dillon cracked the Cheri pit, but everyone laughed when he saw it contained only its own kernel. He opened that and found a grain of wheat, and in that was a millet seed. Then he himself began to wonder, and muttered softly "Shiny Meowth, Shiny Meowth, are you making fun of me?"

More laughter goes upas he continues "In an instant he felt a Meowth claw give his hand quite a sharp scratch, and hoping that it was meant as an encouragement he opened the millet seed, and drew out of it a piece of silk four hundredths of an inch long, woven with the loveliest colors and most wonderful patterns; and when the needle was brought it went through the eye six times easily! The king turned white as a Gastly, and the other princes stood silent and sorrowful, for nobody could deny that this was the most marvelous piece of silk in the world. The king turned to his sons, and said, with a deep sigh....

"Nothing could console me more in my old age than to realize your willingness to gratify my wishes. Go then once more, and whoever at the end of a year can bring back the loveliest princess shall be married to her, and shall, without further delay, receive the crown, for my successor must certainly be married." Brock fills in the king's dialogue.

"Prince Dillon considered that he had earned the kingdom fairly twice over but still he was too well bred to argue about it, so he just went back to his gorgeous coach, and, surrounded by his escort, returned to the Shiny Meowth faster than he had come." Ash continues. "This time she was expecting him, the path was strewn with flowers, and a thousand torches were burning scented woods which perfumed the air. Seated in a gallery from which she could see his arrival, the Shiny Meowth waited for him."

"Well, King's son," Melody begins as the Meowth, "here you are once more, without a crown."

"Madam," Ash interjects as Prince Dillon, "thanks to your generosity I have earned one twice over; but the fact is that my father is so loth to part with it that it would be no pleasure to me to take it."

"Never mind," Melody smiles, "it's just as well to try and deserve it. As you must take back a lovely princess with you next time I will be on the lookout for one for you. In the meantime let us enjoy ourselves; tonight I have ordered a duel between my Meowths and the river Rattatas."

"So this year slipped away even more pleasantly than the preceding ones. Sometimes Prince Dillon could not help asking the Shiny Meowth how it was she could talk." Ash narrates.
"Perhaps you are a fairy," he said. "Or has some evil wizard changed you into a Meowth?"
But she only gave him answers that told him nothing. Days go by so quickly when one is very happy that it is certain the Prince would never have thought of its being time to go back, when one evening as they sat together the Shiny Meowth said to him that if he wanted to take a lovely princess home with him the next day he must be prepared to do what she told him..."

"Take your hands in mine," Melody instructs Ash, "and sing this song--'Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...'"

"But what if the spell the song invokes makes you disappear forever?" Ash gasps as Prince Dillon.

"I entreat you to do as I tell you, King's son," Melody replies.

"The tears came into the prince's eyes as he begged her to ask him anything but that--to set him any task she pleased as a proof of his devotion, but to spare him the unknown effects of singing a mysterious spellsong." Ash continues as himself. "But nothing he could say altered her determination, and he finally took a deep breath, put his hands in the shining paws. and sang..." Ash then sings as Prince Dillon Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

After a few tense seconds, Ash continues "Imagine his astonishment and delight when a lovely princess stood before him in a flash of red light, and, while he was still speechless with amazement, the door opened and a great company of knights and ladies entered, each carrying a Meowth's skin! They hastened with every sign of joy to the princess, kissing her hand and congratulating her on being once more restored to her true form. She received them graciously, but after a few minutes begged that they would leave her alone with Prince Dillon. She told him..."

"You see, Prince Dillon, that you were right in supposing me to be no ordinary Meowth." Melody explains. "My father reigned over six kingdoms. The queen, my mother, whom he loved dearly, had a passion for traveling and exploring, and when I was only a few weeks old she obtained his permission to visit a certain mountain of which she had heard many marvelous tales, and set out, taking with her a number of her attendants. On the way they had to pass near an old castle belonging to the fairies. Nobody had ever been into it, but it was reported to be full of the most wonderful things, and my mother remembered to have heard that the fairies had in their garden such fruits as were to be seen and tasted nowhere else. She began to wish to try them for herself, and turned her steps in the direction of the garden. On arriving at the door, which blazed with gold and jewels, she ordered her servants to knock loudly, but it was useless; it seemed as if all the inhabitants of the castle must be asleep or dead. Now the more difficult it became to obtain the fruit, the more the queen was determined that have it she would. So she ordered that they should bring ladders, and get over the wall into the garden; but though the wall did not look very high, and they tied the ladders together to make them very long, it was quite impossible to get to the top.

"The queen was in despair, but as night was coming on she ordered that they should encamp just where they were, and went to bed herself, feeling quite ill, she was so disappointed. In the middle of the night she was suddenly awakened, and saw to her surprise a tiny, ugly old woman seated by her bedside, who said to her:

"`I must say that we consider it somewhat troublesome of your Majesty to insist upon tasting our fruit; but to save you annoyance, my sisters and I will consent to give you as much as you can carry away, on one condition --that is, that you shall give us your little daughter to bring up as our own.'

"`Ah! my dear madam,' cried the queen, `is there nothing else that you will take for the fruit? I will give you my kingdoms willingly.'

"`No,' replied the old fairy, `we will have nothing but your little daughter. She shall be as happy as the day is long, and we will give her everything that is worth having in fairy-land, but you must not see her again until she is married.'

"`Though it is a hard condition,' said the queen, `I consent, for I shall certainly die if I do not taste the fruit, and so I should lose my little daughter either way.'

"So the old fairy led her into the castle, and, though it was still the middle of the night, the Queen could see plainly that it was far more beautiful than she had been told, which you can easily believe, Prince Dillon," Melody pauses to try and remember the next part of the long monologue. "when I tell you that it was this castle that we are now in. `Will you gather the fruit yourself, Queen?' said the old fairy, `or shall I call it to come to you?'

"`I beg you to let me see it come when it is called,' cried the Queen; `that will be something quite new.' The old fairy whistled twice, then she cried:

"`Apicots, Pechas, Nectas, Cheris, Ganlons, Aspears, Watmels, Grepas, Leppas, Orans, Nomels, Sitrus', Rawst, Razz, come forth!'

"And in an instant they came tumbling in one over another, and yet they were neither dusty nor spoiled, and the Queen found them quite as good as she had fancied them. You see they grew upon fairy trees.

"The old fairy gave her golden baskets in which to take the fruit away, and it was as much as four hundred mules could carry. Then she reminded the Queen of her agreement, and led her back to the camp, and next morning she went back to her kingdom, but before she had gone very far she began to repent of her bargain, and when the King came out to meet her she looked so sad that he guessed that something had happened, and asked what was the matter. At first the Queen was afraid to tell him, but when, as soon as they reached the palace, five frightful little dwarfs were sent by the fairies to fetch me, she was obliged to confess what she had promised. The King was very angry, and had the Queen and myself shut up in a great tower and safely guarded, and drove the little dwarfs out of his kingdom; but the fairies sent a great Salamence who ate up all the people he met, and whose breath burnt up everything as he passed through the country; and at last, after trying in vain to rid himself of this monster, the King, to save his subjects, was obliged to consent that I should be given up to the fairies. This time they came themselves to fetch me, in a chariot of pearl drawn by Seadras, followed by the Salamence, who was led with chains of diamonds. My cradle was placed between the old fairies, who loaded me with caresses, and away we whirled through the air to a tower which they had built on purpose for me. There I grew up surrounded with everything that was beautiful and rare, and learning everything that is ever taught to a princess, but without any companions but a Chatot and a little Growlithe, who could both talk; and receiving every day a visit from one of the old fairies, who came mounted upon the Salamence. One day, however, as I sat at my window I saw a handsome young prince, who seemed to have been hunting in the forest which surrounded my prison, and who was standing and looking up at me. When he saw that I observed him he saluted me with great deference. You can imagine that I was delighted to have someone new to talk to, and in spite of the height of my window our conversation was prolonged till night fell, then my prince reluctantly bade me farewell. But after that he came again many times and at last I consented to marry him, but the question was how was I to escape from my tower. The fairies always supplied me with flax for my spinning, and by great diligence I made enough cord for a ladder that would reach to the foot of the tower; but, alas! just as my prince was helping me to descend it, the crossest and ugliest of the old fairies flew in. Before he had time to defend himself my unhappy lover was swallowed up by the Salamence. As for me, the fairies, furious at having their plans defeated, for they intended me to marry the dwarven king, and I utterly refused, changed me into a shining Meowth. When they brought me here I found all the lords and ladies of my father's court awaiting me under the same enchantment, while the people of lesser rank had been made invisible, all but their hands.

As they laid me under the enchantment the fairies told me all my history, for until then I had quite believed that I was their child, and warned me that my only chance of regaining my natural form was to win the love of a prince who resembled in every way my unfortunate lover."

"And you have won it, lovely princess," Ash interrupts the dialogue as Prince Dillon.

"You are indeed wonderfully like him," Melody continues as Princess Bianca--"in voice, in features, and everything; and if you really love me all my troubles will be at an end."

"And mine too," Ash interjects as Prince Dillon, "if you will consent to marry me."

"I love you already better than anyone in the world," Melody replies as Princess Bianca. "but now it is time to go back to your father, and we shall hear what he says about it."

Everyone applauds at Melody's long monologue. "So Prince Dillon gave her his hand and led her out, and they climbed in the coach together; it was even more splendid than before, and so was the whole company." Ash narrates. "Even the Ponytas' shoes were of rubies with diamond nails."

"Ooh..." Misty is starry eyed over the thought of jeweled Ponyta shoes.

"Princess Bianca was as kind and clever as she was beautiful, you may imagine what a delightful journey Prince Dillon had, for everything Princess Bianca said seemed to him quite charming." Ash narrates. "When they came near the castle where the brothers were to meet, Princess Bianca got into a chair carried by four of the guards; it was hewn out of one splendid crystal, and had silken curtains, which she drew round her that she might not be seen."

"Pika?" Pikachu wonders.

"Prince Dillon saw his brothers walking upon the terrace, each with a lovely princess, and they came to meet him, asking if he had also found a wife." Ash explains. "He said that he had found something much rarer--a shining Meowth! They laughed very much at this, and asked him if he was afraid of being eaten up by Rattatas in the palace. And then they set out together for the town. Each prince and princess rode in a splendid carriage; the Ponytas were decked with plumes of feathers, and glittered with gold. After them came the Prince Dillon, and last of all the crystal chair, at which everybody looked with admiration and curiosity. When the courtiers saw them coming they hurried to tell the king."

"Are the ladies beautiful?" Brock interjects as the king.

"And when they answered that nobody had ever before seen such lovely princesses he seemed quite annoyed. However, he received them graciously, but found it impossible to choose between them." Ash continues. "Then turning to his youngest son he said..."

"Have you come back alone, after all?" Brock asks Ash as the king.

"Your Majesty," Ash replies as Prince Dillon. "will find in that crystal chair a little shining Meowth, which has such soft paws, and mews so prettily, that I am sure you will be charmed with it."

As himself, he narrates "The king smiled, and went to draw back the curtains himself, but at a touch from Princess Bianca the crystal shivered into a thousand splinters, and there she stood in all her beauty; her fair hair floated over her shoulders and was crowned with flowers, and her softly falling robe was of the purest white. She saluted the king gracefully, while a murmur of admiration rose from all around."

"Sire," Melody explains as Princess Bianca, "I am not come to deprive you of the throne you fill so worthily. I have already six kingdoms, permit me to bestow one upon you, and upon each of your sons. I ask nothing but your friendship, and your consent to my marriage with your youngest son; we shall still have three kingdoms left for ourselves."

Ash concludes "The king and all the courtiers could not conceal their joy and astonishment, and the weddings of the three princes were celebrated right then and there. The festivities lasted several months, and each king and queen lived happily ever after."

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 182: The Slayer of the Nunda (Brock)

(real tale: The Nunda, Eater of People)

"Once upon a time there lived a king who loved his garden dearly, and planted it with trees and flowers and fruits from all over the world." Brock begins. "He went to water them three times a day: at 7 AM, when he got up, again at 3 PM, and again at 5:30 PM. There was no plant and no Berry which escaped his eye, but he lingered longest of all before his one date tree."

"What's so great about dates?" Ash wonders "Besides their being very sweet."

"Now, the king had seven sons." Brock explains, assuring Ash with a nod that he will answer his question at the proper time. "Six of them he was proud of, for they were strong and brave, but the youngest--we'll call him Kyou--he didn't like, because he seemed to spend all his time with the ladies of the house. The king had tried talking to him, and when that didn't work, he tried beating him, and that didn't work either. He had even tried tying him up, but that still didn't work, so his father gave up on trying to make him change his ways, and left him alone."

"If he wants to be with the girls, let him be with the girls." Misty muses.

"The years passed, and one day the king, to his great joy, saw signs of fruit on his date tree." Brock continues. He was so excited, he told anyone and everyone he met-- his vizir, the palace officials, the governors and magistrates, and even all the rich men of the royal city."

"All that fuss over dates?" Melody is not impressed.

"He waited patiently for a few days till the dates were nearly ripe, and then he called the six elder sons, and told them that one of them was to watch the date tree till the dates were ripe, lest someone steal them, and he not have any for a year." Brock continues. "The eldest son was first to volunteer."

Ash digs out his whistle as Brock continues "The first thing he did was to summon his servants, and told them to play music all night under the date tree, in case he fell asleep."

After reaching for a small drum, Brock goes on "So the servants brought all their instruments and played every song they knew, until four o'clock in the morning, when they all fell asleep, with many of the servants still holding their instruments."

With that, he starts a brisk rhythm for Ash to play a few tunes by, with Misty leading the clapping.

When the set ends, Brock continues "A few minutes went by, and a Fletchling flew down from a neighboring thicket, and ate all the dates, without leaving a single one. One of the servants woke up a few minutes later and looked for the dates, but there were none to be found."

"Uh oh..." Ash chuckles.

"The eldest son tearfully told his father that the dates had all been eaten by a Fletchling." Brock intones as he sets the drum aside. "When the king learned his eldest son had been asleep on the job, he scolded him, and decided to try the second eldest the next year. But no matter what the sons tried to stay awake--playing cards, riding around the tree, lighting bonfires--they would crash at four or five in the morning. and the Fletchling would eat all the dates."

"So did Kyou get a turn?" Melody wonders.

"Kyou happened to be in the kitchen, as was his custom, when he heard his father say his date tree was blooming." Brock goes on. "He begged and begged to have a turn, but was laughed at. Finally the news came that the dates were ripe, and the king ordered one of his men to go and watch the tree. Kyou, heard the order, and asked why he couldn't watch the tree. His father replied that his six brothers had all tried and failed, so how was the seventh going to be any different? But Kyou was persistent, and eventually the queen joined in the pleading, so the king finally relented and said Kyou could watch the tree."

"So what did Kyou do?" Misty is intrigued.

"When Kyou reached the garden, he told the servants to leave him." Brock explains "When he was alone, he slept till one o'clock in the morning, Then he took some Cornn Berries out of one pocket, and some sandy grit out of the other. He chewed the Cornn till he felt sleepy, and then he put some grit into his mouth, and that kept him awake till the Fletchling came. Just before it could start snatching dates, Kyou grabbed its wing. Naturally, it was startled, and flew so high up, the earth shone like one of the other stars. Kyou, meanwhile, knew very well he would die if he let go, so he held on even tighter. Try as the Fletchling might to get Kyou to let go, no amount of convincing helped, and so it flew back to the ground."

"Hm..." Melody contemplates what will happen next.

"The Fletchling told Kyou that if he let it go, it would help him if he was in danger--all he had to do to summon it was sing..." Brock pauses to sing Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... "and the Fletching would come help him, no matter where Kyou was when he sang the song."

He continues "Needless to say, the whole palace was elated when they saw the tree brimming with dates the next morning, and hailed Kyou as a hero--they brought out the instruments and played..." Misty takes her fiddle and joins in with Ash's whistle as Happini bangs a tambourine for percussion. "and the people clapped, sang, and cheered for Kyou."

"Did the king finally treat Kyou as he deserved?" Melody asks when the set ends.

"Yes--and he was quite pleased at finally being able to taste his beloved dates." Brock smiles. "Some months went by, until one day, the king's Meowth started acting weird, catching a calf. The owner of the calf went and told the king, but he answered, 'The Meowth is mine, and the calf mine,' and the man dared not complain further."

He pauses for a beat, then continues "Two days later, the Meowth caught a Miltank, then a few days later, it caught a Ponyta, then a second Ponyta, and after that a Camerupt."

"That IS weird--how can a little Meowth catch a Camerupt?" Ash wonders.

"But it didn't stop there--the next day, it caught someone's child." Brock intones "Then it caught a grown man."

Gasps go up at this. "After that the Meowth left the town and took up its abode in a thicket near the road. So if any one passed, going for water, it ate him. If it saw a Miltank going to feed, it ate it. If it saw a Gogoat, it ate it. Whatever went along that road the Meowth caught and ate." Brock intones."A huge crowd came to the palace and told him of all the misdeeds of that Meowth. But he answered as he had all the other times, 'The Meowth is mine and the people are mine.' And no man dared kill the Meowth, which grew bolder and bolder, and at last came into the town to look for its prey."

"What was possessing the Meowth to do this?" Misty shudders in fear as she contemplates a variety of demons that could be possessing the Meowth.

"One day, the king told his six sons that he was traveling into the country to see how the wheat was growing, and they were welcome to come with him." Brock intones. "They went on along the road, till they came to a thicket, when out sprang the Meowth, and killed three of the sons."

"Pini!" Happini gasps.

"The soldiers who were with him screamed in terror." Brock goes on "This was the last straw for the king--he sent word through the kingdom that anyone that could kill the demon Meowth would be handsomely rewarded.

Everyone is on the edge of their seats to hear what happened next. "Now Kyou had not gone with the others, but had stayed at home with his mom." Brock explains. "When he heard that three of his brothers had been killed by the Meowth, he vowed he would slay it and avenge them. His mother pleaded for him not to leave her, but he would not listen. He took his sword, a bow, and some rice cakes, and went after the Meowth."

"And then?" Melody gasps, excited.

"Kyou spent many days hunting the Meowth, which now bore the name of Nunda, which meant 'eater of people,' in that land's language." Brock continues. "Though he killed many wild Pokemon, he saw no trace of the Pokemon he was hunting for. There was no Pokemon, however fierce, that he was afraid of, till finally his father and mother begged him to give up the chase. But Kyou told them he would not give up until the Nunda was dead, and his brothers avenged."

"Pika?" Pikachu sparks excitedly in anticipation of a battle.

"Many times Kyou's servants came and told him that they had seen footprints, but the footprints never turned out to be those of the Nunda." Brock goes on. "They wandered far through deserts and through forests, and finally came to the foot of a great hill. And something in Kyou's heart whispered that here was the end of all their seeking, and today they would find the Nunda."

"So what happened when he found it?" Even Misty is excited.

"But before they began to climb the mountain, they had dinner first, as they had traveled a long way." Brock explains. "They then started the long trek up the mountain. When they had almost reached the top, a scout who was leading the way told him to look down at the foot of the mountain. Kyou looked, and his heart told him it was the Nunda.

Brock tiptoes up to a rock with a pantomime bow in his hand "He crept down with his bow in his hand, and then he stopped and gazed below him. 'This MUST be the real Nunda,' he thought. 'My mother told me its ears were small, and this one's are small. She told me it was broad and not long, and this is broad and not long. She told me it shone, unlike other Meowths, and this Meowth shines like the sun.' Then he left the Nunda lying asleep at the foot of the mountain, and went back to his servants, where they spent the morning making a battle plan."

"So how did they catch the Nunda?" Ash asks.

"They went till they reached the bottom and came to a great forest which lay between them and the Nunda's den." Brock explains. "Kyou ordered every servant to leave a layer of clothing behind and tuck up the other between their legs, to make it easier to move in the brush."

He tiptoes up to the rock as he continues "They crept along till they were close to it; then, at Kyou's signal, they all fired their arrows. The Nunda did not stir: the arrows had hit their mark, but for some reason, a great panic seized them all, and they ran away and climbed the mountain to their camp. When they returned to the place where they had left the Nunda the next morning, they saw it stretched out dead as a doornail. They picked it up and carried it back to the city, singing Kyou's praises as they went."

He concludes "When his father heard the news of Kyou's brave deed, he felt that there was no one on earth whose joy was greater than his. The people hailed him as a hero, and to this day, the people of that land continue to tell the tale of how Kyou had slain the Nunda, and his many adventures with the Fletching."

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 183: How Ho'oh and Lugia Met (part 1) (Misty)

(real tale: The Sister of the Sun)

"A long time ago, the Pokemon we know as Lugia was a young prince whose favorite playmate was the son of the gardener who lived on the palace grounds." Misty begins. "The king would have preferred Lugia befriend one of the pages who were brought up at court; but Lugia would have nothing to say to them, and as he was a little spoiled, and demanded his way in almost everything, and the gardener's boy was quiet and well-behaved, he seemed destined to be in the palace, morning, noon, and night."

"Interesting..." Ash notes.

"The sport the children loved best was archery, for the king had given them two identical bows." Misty explains "They would spend entire days trying to see which could shoot the highest. Of course, this was--and is--very dangerous, and it was a miracle they were not poked in the eye."

The boys chuckle at Misty's observation. "One morning, when Lugia had finished school for the day, he ran out to meet his friend, and they both hurried off to the grounds where they most often played. They took their bows out of the little hut where their toys were kept, and began to see which could shoot the highest. They somehow managed to both shoot at the same time, and when the arrows landed, the tail feather of a golden bird was found sticking out of one." Misty goes on. "Then there was the question of who shot the lucky arrow, for they were both exactly alike. Lugia declared that the arrow was his, and the gardener's boy was quite sure it was his--and on this occasion he was right; but, as they could not decide the matter, they went straight to the king."

"So what did His Highness decide?" Melody wonders.

"When the king heard the story, he decided that the feather belonged to his son; but the other boy would not listen to this and claimed the feather for himself." Misty replies. "Finally the king's patience ran out, and he yelled...

"Very well; if you are so sure that the feather is yours, then it is yours; only you will have to search until you find a golden bird with a feather missing from her tail. And if you fail to find her, it will be your life in exchange." Brock threatens as the king.

Silence fills the tent for a moment, save for the rain outside. "Lugia needed all his courage to listen to the king's words." Misty finally breaks the uneasy calm. "He had no idea where such a bird might be, or, if he discovered one, how he was to catch it. But there was nothing to do except do the king's bidding, and he felt that the sooner he left the palace the better. So he went home, put some food and supplies into a bag, and then set out early the next morning, hoping that some miracle might show him which path to take."

"Pika?" Pikachu asks, interested

"After walking for several hours he met a Fennekin, who seemed to be friendly, and the was so glad to have anyone to talk to that he sat down and talked for while." Misty continues.

"Where are you going?" she asks as the Fennekin.

"I have got to find a golden bird who is missing a feather out of her tail," Ash explains as Lugia. "but I don't know where one lives or how I will catch it!"

"Oh, I can show you the way!" Misty assures Ash as the Fennekin. "Far towards the east, in that direction, lives a beautiful maiden who is named Ho'oh, which means 'the sister of the sun.' She has three golden birds in her house. Perhaps the feather belongs to one of them."

As herself, she continues "Lugia was delighted at this news, and they walked on all day together-- Fennekin in front, and Lugia following. When evening came they lay down to rest, and put the knapsack under their heads for a pillow. Suddenly, about midnight, a man approached and asked them where they were going. Lugia told him everything, which interested the man so much that he asked to go with them. So when the sun rose the next morning they set out again, with the Fennekin leading, and the man and Lugia following."

"So what happened when they reached Ho'oh's abode?" Brock is interested

"After some time, they reached Ho'oh's castle." Misty replies. "They stopped before the gate and discussed who would take the bird with the missing feather."

"I think it would be best for me to enter and steal the birds." she offers as the Fennekin.

'No, it is my quest, so it is only fair that I should go." Ash counters as Lugia

"You will find it hard to get ahold of the birds." Misty cautions as the Fennekin.

"Oh, what could possibly go wrong?" Ash asks as Lugia.

"Okay then," Misty sighs as the Fennekin. "but be careful not to make any mistake. Take only the bird which has the feather missing from its tail, and leave the others alone.

As herself, Misty notes "The man heard the whole thing, but did not interfere, and so Lugia entered the court of the palace. He soon spotted the three birds prancing about, though they were really wondering if there were some grain lying on the ground that they could eat. As the last one passed by him, he saw she had one feather missing from her tail."

She tiptoes up to a rock, as if she is Lugia sneaking up on the bird. "Then Lugia dashed forward and grabbed the bird by the neck so that she could not struggle. Then, tucking her comfortably under his arm, he ran for the gate. But just as he was about to go through, he looked back and caught a glimpse of wonderful splendors from an open door of the palace, which bought the bird a window of opportunity to escape."

The boys laugh as Misty continues. "He was so much fascinated by the sight of all the beautiful things that he could see through the door that he hardly noticed that he had lost the bird; and he did not remember there was such a thing as a bird in the world when he beheld Ho'oh sleeping on a bed before him.

Brock gains heart eyes for a moment as he imagines what human Ho'oh could have looked like, but Ash squeezing his hand snaps him back to the story. "For some time he stood there staring; then he snapped back to reality, and seeing that he had no business there, softly hurried away, and was fortunate enough to recapture the bird, which he took with him to the gate." Misty goes on. "This happened two more times--he would get close to the gate, then hurry back for another look at Ho'oh. But by the fourth time he returned to retrieve his bird, the other two birds began to squawk so loud that it woke Ho'oh up! She ran to the door and told Lugia..."

"You shall never, never, have my bird till you bring me back my guardians, the Beasts, who were carried off by a giant to his castle far away." Melody fills in Ho'oh's dialogue.

"Lugia trudged back to the palace gate and told his friends what had happened." Misty goes on.

"I knew that we would not get off so easily,' she grumbles as the Fennekin. "but we have not a moment to lose. Let's go find the beasts. Luckily, I know the way."

As herself, she narrates "They walked on for many days, till the Fennekin stopped and looked out at the road."

"The giant's castle is not far now," she explains as the Fennekin, "but when we reach it you two must remain outside while I go and find where the Beasts are being held. When I bring them out you must choose which one to ride, and flee as fast as you can; while I return to the castle and talk to the giants--for there are many of them--so that they may not notice the beasts' escape."

She continues as herself "A few minutes later they arrived at the castle, and the Fennekin, who had often been there before, slipped in easily. There were several giants, both young and old, in the hall, and they were all dancing around the three Beasts. As soon as they saw the Fennekin, they invited her to dance as well."

She is surprised when her fiddle and bow fly into her hands. Once Melody's silent request registers in her mind, she sets to work tuning up as the boys retrieve their own instruments..

Once everyone is in tune, she and Ash lead the way into a set of tunes. When the set ends, Misty continues. "When the giants took a break in between sets, Fennekin claimed that she knew a charming new dance, and that she would be more than happy to demonstrate it with the Beasts. The giants readily agreed, and set the Beasts free from their cages. Of course this was all a ruse for Fennekin to kick over the great torch stand that lited the hall, and in the darkness had led the Beasts to the gate. The man leapt aboard Entei, and Lugia aboard Suicune, and Fennekin returned to the hall before anyone had missed her. She found the giants busy trying to kindle a fire and get some light; but after a while, they realized the Beasts were gone, and they ran after the Fennekin as fast as their great legs could carry them."

Inspired, Ash switches to the harmonica and leads Misty and Brock into a slightly watered down version of "Catching the Fennekin" to represent a chase scene.

"It works better with a banjo as well as the guitar, fiddle, and harmonica." Melody suggests when the song ends.

Misty acknowledges Melody's feedback with a nod before continuing "The Fennekin, however, was far too clever to choose the same route that her friends had taken, but wound through of the forest, till at last even SHE was tired out, and fell fast asleep under a tree. She was so exhausted she never heard the giants coming, but before they could grab her, she had ran out of their reach." A grin forms on her face, then motions to Ash to play "Catching the Fennekin" again.

Pikachu sweeps Happini in his paws and dances with her as the tune is played again. "The Fennekin eventually lost the giants, and reunited with Lugia, the Beasts, and the man, and all six of them traveled night and day till they reached Ho'oh's castle." Misty continues when the tune ends. "You can imagine the joy and feasting there was throughout the palace when the Beasts appeared, who they had thought were dead. The palace denizens could not thank Lugia enough for going through such dangers in order to rescue them. The golden bird was given to him right then, and Ho'oh confessed her love for Lugia, saying that when she came of age in a few years, she would pay a visit to his home and become his bride. Lugia could hardly believe his ears when he heard what was in store for him, for he had won the heart was the most beautiful princess in the world; and however thick the darkness was, it was no match for her golden aura."

"Pini?" Happini asks, excited.

"So Lugia set forth on his journey home, saying his goodbyes to his friends on the way." Misty continues. "With the golden bird under his arm, he presented himself before the king, and told of all his adventures, and how he was going to have for a wife a princess so wonderful and unlike all other princesses, that the many colored aura she commanded could turn night into day. The king listened silently, and when Lugia had finished, he said quietly..."

"If I find that you have lied to me, I will have you thrown into a pool of tar." Brock half whispers in character as the king.

"It is true--every word of it!" Ash pleads as Lugia.

Misty grins, "But was Lugia doomed to be thrown into tar, and what else would he have to do to win Ho'oh? You'll find out on my next turn!"

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 184: The Pack, the Hat, and the Whistle (Ash)

(real tale: The Knapsack, the Hat, and the Horn)

"Once there were three brothers who were so poor, they had nothing to eat at all." Ash begins. "They all agreed that going out into the world to seek their fortunes was better than sitting at home starving."

"So what adventures met them?" Melody is intrigued by the possibility of a quest.

"So they set out the next morning, and went across many a plain, but their journeys were uneventful." Ash replies. "One day, they came to a great forest, and when they got close, they saw that it was made entirely of silver. The eldest brother took as much silver as he could carry, then returned home. But the other two had hope that there was something even more valuable out there, and so they continued onward."

"Then what did they find?" Now Brock is interested.

"After they had traveled for a few days, they came to a hill that was made entirely of gold. The middle brother filled his pockets as full as they would hold, bid good-bye to his brother, and returned home. But the youngest brother--we'll call him Martin--was wiser in heart than his brothers. While silver and gold were wonderful things, he believed he would find true treasure if he kept going, and so off he went."

"Did he find a forest made of crystals?" Misty guesses what Martin will find.

Ash is quick to shoot Misty's prediction down. "After three days, he came to a forest even bigger than the others, which stretched as far as the eye could see. He was famished from walking all day, and muttered under his breath his desire for a hot meal. Suddenly, he saw a table beneath the tree richly spread with food that was piping hot."

Misty giggles at Pikachu drooling at the sight of the feast Ash described. "That's right--Ash describes food really well."

Ash is unfazed by Pikachu's dreamy look. "Without bothering to ask who had brought the food there, he ate his fill. But when he saw the tablecloth there, he figured it would make sense to leave it behind, so he folded it up neatly and pocketed it. When dinnertime came he thought he would put the tablecloth to the test, so he spread it out and sang a song often portrayed as magical in bedtime stories..."

He pauses to sing Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... before continuing "and no sooner were the words out of his mouth, was there a feast fit for a king!"

"And then?" Melody asks, starry eyed.

"Martin was not content with only a wishing cloth--Arceus only knew what other treasures were waiting to be discovered." Ash continues. "One evening, where Ilex Forest is today, he befriended a Charcoal maker, who was roasting potatoes for dinner. He invited Martin to stay for dinner, and told him that he sometimes got sick of having potatoes every night. Martin took out the tablecloth from his pack, and after spreading it on the ground, and sang Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

"Pika?" Pikachu licks his lips in anticipation of the food Ash is about to describe.

"A full roast, piping hot as if it had just come from the kitchen, appeared in a flash of light." Ash continues. "The Charcoal maker wasted no time in diving right in!"

He pauses for a beat, then continues "When dinner had ended, The Charcoal maker offered to trade a soldier's pack that hung on the wall in the corner, which he claimed had wonderful qualities. Martin wasn't so sure, and pressed the Charcoal maker further."

"So what could it do?" Brock is intrigued.

"If sung to, an army of heroes would appear to do his bidding." Ash explains. Martin agreed, and the deal was sealed. Before he had got very far, he decided to try out the pack, so he sang Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... A band of seven heroes appeared before him, and the chief warrior asked what he wanted. Martin asked for them to get back the tablecloth, which the heroes accomplish some moments later.

He interjects. "If you've heard this before, it's a variant of 'The Beasts' Treasures' from east Johto."

"No wonder this is starting to sound familiar..." Brock grins before urging Ash to continue.

"This happened two more times--around sunset, he would befriend a charcoal maker, conjure a fine meal, receive a wondrous item--a magical hat that cast a spell when turned back, and a whistle that, when played, would play a note high enough and loud enough to bring down walls, then retrieve his tablecloth. After all those adventures, he was curious as to how his brothers were faring."

"Pika pi?" Pikachu asks.

"When he got home, he found that his brothers had built themselves a fine house with their silver and gold, and lived like kings." Ash replies. "He went to see them, but because he wore a worn-out coat, a shabby hat, and the old knapsack on his back, they didn't recognize him as their brother. They scolded him and drove him away, believing him to be a beggar."

"That's not nice!" Misty is appalled at this.

"Needless to say, Martin was mad." Ash assures Misty. "So mad, in fact, he conjured a hundred and fifty different heroes stood before him--warriors, archers, mages, knights, you name a type of hero, and that kind of hero was there."

"So what did Martin ask the heroes to do?" Melody asks.

"He ordered them to surround his brothers' house, and lay siege to it until they knew who he was." Ash replies. The townsfolk heard the noise and ran to see what was happening, but they could do nothing against the army of heroes. News of the ruckus finally reached the royal ears of the king, and sent a thousand men to drive the rogue out of town: but Martin summoned ten thousand heroes, who handily defeated the king's men."

He turns his hat back as he continues. "No matter how big an army the king sent, Martin would meet them with an even bigger army, and soundly defeat them. What the heroes didn't get, Martin picked off with his hat."

Everyone is on the edge of their seats to know what happens next. "The king was more than a little scared, and told Martin he would do anything if he would stop the carnage." Ash explains. "Martin told the king he would stop if he could have the hand of the princess--we'll call her Audra--in marriage, and allow him to rule as king."

After pausing to retrieve his own whistle, Ash continues "However Princess Audra was appalled that her suitor was a common man, and refused to go through with the wedding."

Brock realizes what is coming next. "Cover your ears--it's fixing to get loud." he warns the others.

Once everyone has covered their ears, Ash goes on "Martin was steamed when he heard the news, so he took the whistle and blew on it..."

With that, he blows the highest, loudest, most out-of tune note he can muster for effect. "...and down came walls and fortresses, towns and villages--but luckily Princess Audra convinced him to stop before all of Johto was reduced to ruins."

He concludes. "It wasn't long before Princess Audra came around to marrying Martin, and the two were soon married. Though Martin proved to be a wise and just ruler, no one dared challenge him for the throne again!"

"I can see why!" Melody giggles as she applauds...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 185: The Legend of the Boulder Badge (Brock)

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 71, story 1)


"You know..I've always wondered for years about why the badges are named as they are..." Misty muses. "I mean, the Cascade Badge is named for the waterfalls by the cape..."

"All right--let me give you a little history lesson on why Pewter has the Boulder Badge." Brock smiles before beginning "One winter--the first winter of Pokemistress' Shina's long reign--it got so cold, people said it could chill you to your very soul. One night, a miko was braving the howling wind and blowing snow as she looked for somewhere to spend the night. Many in that village--which is today Pewter City--were poor, and did not have much food, and so had no choice but to turn the miko away. Finally, one man that lived on the outskirts of town--my distant ancestor, Yanshi--felt sorry for the miko shivering in the cold, and allowed her to stay."

"That was nice of him..." Melody smiles.

"As the miko was warming herself, Yanshi brought out a small Oran tree that was somehow blooming despite the horrible conditions outside." Brock goes on, quieting the Pokemon's chatter. "After stripping the tree of its berries, he cut it down and used it to keep the fire going. The miko watched him bring in more of the Berry trees, and assured him that he shouldn't have to cut down something he loves because of her. Yanshi replied that he didn't care how many he had to cut down, so long as she was warm."

"Aw"s fill the air at this. "The miko gave thanks to Arceus for sending her to someone willing to give up his most precious possession for someone else's sake, and asked Yanshi his name, as she had noticed the sheer number of mini Berry trees in the house. Yanshi told her his name, and explained that he was once a high ranking official in the Aiiro City, but a treacherous attendant had forced him to flee for his life and lay low in the poor village. In fact, he still had many of his weapons, armor, and Pokemon just in case he were called to battle, but he feared he would die of starvation than on the battlefield."

Fearful whispers waft through the tent as the Pokemon fear for Yanshi's life. "The miko assured him that he would not die that way, and thanked him for offering what little he had when she departed the next morning, saying that it was Arceus' will for them to meet, and that she would repay him for his kindness and humility one day." Brock assures them.

"So, what happened when the snow melted?" Ash wonders.

"That spring, a message went out from Pokemon Mistress Shina commanding that all the Gym Leaders of what is now Kanto to assemble in the Aiiro City. Yanshi gathered his weapons, armor, and Pokemon, and quickly made the long journey to the Aiiro City." Brock goes on. "Some of the other Gym Leaders laughed when they saw how frail his Ponyta looked, but Yanshi was told the Pokemon Mistress wanted to see him personally. When he was told to rise, and he saw his lady's face, he was shocked to discover the miko he had helped was Pokemon Mistress Shina in disguise!"

Wild cheers explode through the tent at the turn of events. "Shina thanked Yanshi for proving his loyalty, and restored his lost property to him. The other Gym Leaders cheered at this, saying that Yanshi's devotion was unwavering, like a rock." Brock continues before showing his friends a Boulder Badge. "To this day, Pewter City continues to give out Boulder Badges in memory of the official whose devotion was like a rock."

"I wish I could've lived back then, and met Yanshi!" Ash smiles as he applauds...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 186: How Ho'oh and Lugia Met (part 2) (Misty)


(real tale: The Sister of the Sun)

"So, was Lugia literally tarred and feathered?" Melody asks.

"Well, as the years wore on with no princess to be had, Lugia grew anxious and uneasy, especially when he was told that the great cauldron in the torture chamber was being filled with tar, and the guards were in the process of building a fire to boil it with." Misty resumes her cliffhanger. "Lugia stood at the window all day, watching the sea for any sign of his beloved; but there were no signs of her, not even the tiniest hint of a sail."

Ash swallows hard as Misty goes on "Just then, the guards came and led him up to the cauldron, where a huge fire was blazing, and the horrid black tar boiling and bubbling over the sides. He took one look and shuddered, but there appeared to be no way out; so he closed his eyes in preparation for the end."

Everyone is on the edge of their seats to learn Lugia's fate. "Minutes before the guards took Lugia to the cauldron, some messengers hurried into the torture chamber, saying that a magnificent ship was headed for the city. No one knew what the ship was, or where it came from; but the king declared that he would not have Lugia burned."

"Talk about a reprieve..." Ash muses as sighs of relief fill the tent.

"It wasn't long before the vessel was safe in port, and a whisper went through the watching crowd that on board was Ho'oh, who had come to marry Lugia as she had promised. After Ho'oh disembarked,she asked to be shown the way to the house which her bridegroom had so often described to her. But Lugia was still terrified from his close call, and he didn't recognize her, even after she kissed him."

"Did Lugia recognize his love?" Even Brock is worried.

'When even a kiss didn't jog his memory, Ho'oh was very frightened, and told him the story of his meeting with her from start to finish, and how she had come a long way in order to marry him." Misty continues. "Just as she had finished, the king walked in, curious to see if what Lugia had said was true. But hardly had he opened the door of the house when he was almost blinded by the light that filled it; and he remembered what he had been told about the beautiful aura around the princess. He staggered back as if he had been struck by a Thunderbolt, and falling on his knees before Ho'oh, he implored her to give up all thought of the peasant boy, and to share his throne. But she laughed, and said she had a finer throne of her own, if she wanted to sit on it, and that she was free to do as she wished, and would have no husband but the boy whom she would never have seen except for the king himself. She went on to say that she would marry Lugia the next morning; and ordered the preparations to be made."

"There has to be a catch..." Brock sighs.

"Or a challenge, or some monster or evil wizard takes her..." Ash agrees.

"When the next day came, however, the king informed Ho'oh that, by law, the marriage had to take place in his presence."Misty continues. "When the wedding party and all the guests were assembled in the royal shrine, he said..."

'" have no objection to this holy ceremony; but, before I can allow it to commence, the groom must prove himself worthy of such a bride by fulfilling three challenges." Brock fills in the king's dialogue. "First, he must cut down every tree in an entire forest--in one day!"

"Lugia stood aghast as the king's words. He had never cut down a tree in his life, and had no earthly idea how to begin." Misty narrates "But Ho'oh sensed the frantic thoughts in his mind, and told him..."

"Don't be afraid...." Melody assures Ash as Ho'oh. "In my ship you will find an axe, which you must take with you to the forest. When you have cut down one tree with it just sing 'Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo...' and all the trees will fall on the ground. But pick up three chips of the tree you felled, and put them in your pocket."

"And Lugia did exactly as he was told, and soon returned with the three chips safe in his coat." Misty narrates.

Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo... Ash sings as Lugia for effect.

"The next day, when everyone arrived, the king issued the second challenge..." Misty narrates again.

"Second, he must put back all the trees he cut down yesterday." Brock announces as the king.

"This sounded much more difficult than what he had done before, and he turned in despair to Ho'oh.

"It's okay." Melody assures Ash as Ho'oh before offering him a small bottle of water. "Take this water and sprinkle it on one of the fallen trees, and sing to it 'Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo...' and they will be standing again like nothing happened at all."

"And Lugia did what he was told, and left the forest looking just as it was before." Misty narrates.

Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo... Ash sings as he pours out the water on a wildflower sprout, as if expecting his spellsong to make it bloom in seconds.

"On the third day, the king issued the final challenge: Lugia was to slay a Gyarados which lived in a river that flowed at the back of the castle." Misty intones. "Everyone had heard stories of this fearsome Pokemon, though no one had actually seen it; but from every so often a child wandered too far from home and never return, and then mothers would forbid the other children to go near the river, which had juicy Berries and lovely flowers growing along its banks."

She adds as an aside "So it was little wonder Lugia trembled and turned white as a Gastly when he heard what he had to do."

"You will succeed in this too," Melody assures the jittery audience as Ho'oh, 'for in my ship is a magic sword which fires beams that cut through anything. Go down to the river and unfasten a boat which lies moored there, and throw the chips into the water. When the Gyarados appears, you will cut off its head with one beam of your sword. Then take a scale from its body and go with it tomorrow morning into the royal kitchen. If the king himself should come in there, just say to him: "Here is a gift I offer you in return for the services you demanded of me!" throw the scale, and hurry to the ship as fast as you can go. But be careful not to look behind you."

"Lugia did everything Ho'oh had told him." Misty continues. "In his eagerness to get to the ship, he got lost and wandered about. Just then, he came to an oracle's hut in the forest, and explained his quest to her. The Oracle told him that Ho'oh was near dead with grief. When he saw her, he was to sing the song 'Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul'. Then she would recognize him. She also told him of a castle of jewels in the heavens, but he still had many more trials left to face before he got there."

"This is getting good..." Brock notes. Pikachu sparks excitedly in agreement.

"Lugia thanked the oracle with tears of happiness for the good news she had given him, and continued his journey." Misty went on. "He helped many people with their disputes, earning a cloak of invisibility, a tablecloth that produced meals fit for royalty, a mage's staff, and shoes of teleportation for his wisdom."

"Wow!" Ash gasps, impressed.

"Lugia put on the shoes of teleportation and sang Karuto, iichiida shou.... warping him to the jeweled castle in the heavens." Misty continues. "He found Ho'oh dying of grief, so he knelt down by her side, and sang Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

She concludes "Ho'oh recognized Lugia's voice, and threw herself in his arms. Their joy was amplified by the spellsong, transforming them into majestic bird Pokemon. Arceus then appointed Ho'oh as guardian of the sun, and Lugia the guardian of the moon. The wedding was celebrated right then and there, and there was great rejoicing in the heavens and on the earth for at least a week!"

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 187: Prince Ekans (Ash)

(real tale: The Snake Prince)


"Once upon a time there lived a woman who was desperately poor." Ash begins. 'One day she found that she had only a handful of flour left in the house, and no money to buy more. So she trudged down to the river to take a bath and to get some water. Then she would make herself a small pancake out of what flour she had left; and after that--she didn't want to know what would happen after that."

Pikachu sniffles at the woman's plight. "Whilst she was bathing, she left her water bottle on the bank covered with a cloth, so the inside would be clean." Ash explains. "but when she got out of the river and took the cloth off to fill the bottle with water, she saw an Ekans inside. After closing up the bottle again, she got the idea to take the Ekans home, have it bite her, and put her out of her misery

"So she effectively wanted to commit suicide???" Misty gasps, horrified.

Ash just continues "Imagine her shock when she turned the bottle upside down and expecting the Ekans to fall out, and seeing a glittering necklace fall out instead!"

"Wow..." Even Brock is impressed as he pictures his idea of what the necklace looked like.

"She wasn't sure what to make of her discovery at first, but after a few moments, she decided to ask the king what to do with the treasure." Ash continues. "Luckily, the king was hearing disputes and requests that day, so the woman easily made it inside the castle. When she showed him the necklace, he was amazed at how beautiful it was; and the more he looked at it, the more he had to have it. So he gave the woman five hundred gold pieces for it, and stashed it in his pocket."

He adds as an aside "Needless to say, the woman never had to worry about food or money again." as he wipes Pikachu's now joyous tears. "As soon as he could leave the throne room, the king hurried off and showed his wife his prize, and she was as pleased as he was, if not more so. As soon as they were done admiring the wonderful necklace, they locked it up in the great chest where the queen's jewels was kept--and only the king knew where the key was."

"Ooh, a mystery!" Misty smiles.

Ash is quick to shoot down Misty's prediction. "Some months went by, and a neighboring king sent out the joyous news that a little princess--who had been named Hikari--had been born to him; and he invited his neighbors and friends to come to a great party in honor of the occasion. The queen told her husband that they couldn't miss the festivities, and she would wear the new necklace he had given her. They had only a little while to get ready for the journey, and as the the king went to the jewel chest to take out the necklace he was shocked to see a baby boy in its place!"

"This is getting stranger by the minute..." Brock muses as he contemplates the next plot twist Ash has up his sleeve.

"The queen was understandably shocked as well, but as she took the baby in her arms, she felt a wave of joy and love well up within her, as she had longed to have a child for a long time." Ash goes on. "They named the boy Katsu, as they saw him the victory after months of trying to have a child. The kingdom exploded in celebration-- the bells rang, the trumpets blared, and the people enjoyed enough fireworks, feasting, games, gifts, and rejoicing for a week!"

"That must've been some party..." Melody sighs happily.

"A few years went by, and as Prince Katsu and Princess Hikari grew up, their fathers agreed that as soon as they were old enough they would marry." Ash continues. "The years passed, and as soon as Prince Katsu and Princess Hikari were eighteen years old, Prince Katsu journeyed to the neighboring kingdom to finally take Princess Hikari's hand in marriage."

"Pika..." Pikachu sighs dreamily.

Ash just grins, signaling that his tale is nowhere near over. "Remember the woman from earlier? She had been summoned to serve as Prince Katsu's nurse; and although she loved him as her own son, and was a faithful servant, she could not help talking just a little, and so, rumors started flying that there was some magic about the young prince's birth; and the rumor eventually reached the ears of Princess Hikari's mom and dad. So now that she was going to be Prince Katsu's bride, her mom told Princess Hikari the night before the ceremony..."

"The first thing you should do is to find out if there is any truth to the rumor about Prince Katsu." Misty fills in the queen's dialogue. "To do this, don't say a word to him until he asks you why you are silent; then ask him the truth about his magic birth; Until he tells you, you will not speak to him again."

"Princess Hikari promised that she would follow her mother's advice." Ash continues. "The wedding was a grand affair, but whenever Prince Katsu spoke to his bride, she did not answer him. He didn't know what was the matter, but eventually he asked why she would not speak; and then she said....

"Tell me the secret of your birth." Melody asks as Princess Hikari.

"But Prince Katsu would always tell her she would be sorry if he told her." Ash intones. "But Princess Hikari wouldn't give up, and after a month or two, Prince Katsu finally relented, took her to the river, and told her that he was somehow cursed to become an Ekans. No sooner did he say this, did he appear to disappear before Princess Hikari's eyes. She looked in the water; and in the faint moonlight she saw an Ekans swimming into the river."

"And then?" Misty asks.

"Princess Hikari was naturally devastated, and commanded that a little house of stone be built on the bank; where she lived in mourning, with a few servants and guards to watch over her." Ash goes on. "A few nights later, the Ekans returned. For some reason, Princess Hikari knew it was her beloved, and asked if there was any way she could break the curse. The Ekans told her that on the next full moon, she was put a large bowl of milk and sugar in each corner of the room. All the Ekans in the river would come out to drink the milk, and the one that led the way would be Queen Arbok. She was to block the doorway, and sing 'Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...', she would flee in terror at the holy words of power, and the curse would be broken."

After pausing for a beat, Ash continues "So on the night of the full moon, Princess Hikari made four large bowls of milk and sugar, and put one in each corner of the room, and stood in the doorway waiting. Around midnight, there was a great hissing and rustling from the direction of the river, and it wasn't long before the ground appeared to be alive with horrible writhing forms of Ekans, whose eyes glittered and forked tongues quivered as they moved on in the direction of the house."

"Easy, Misty..." Brock assures Misty as he peels her off his back.

"Leading this hideous procession was an Arbok taller than any tree in the forest." Ash continues, making Misty grip tighter. "The guards fled in sheer terror, but Princess Hikari stood in the doorway, though white as a Gastly. As they came closer and saw her in the way, all the Ekans raised their heads and swayed them back and forth, and looked at her with wicked beady eyes, their breath seemingly poisoning the very air. But Princess Hikari stood strong, and, seconds before Queen Arbok approached, she sang..."

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

The rustling, writhing crowd of snakes were not expecting a flash of fire to come flying from the princess' hands, killing quite a few of them." Ash goes on. "But Queen Arbok kept going until her head was almost in Princess Hikari's face, her eyes filled with firey rage. But Princess Hikari stood in the doorway and sang again..."

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... Melody sings again.

"The fire Princess Hikari invoked hit Queen Arbok dead on, killing her and all the other Ekans." Ash continues. A flash of light went up from the river, and Prince Katsu stepped from it. She ran to meet him, and threw herself into his arms, crying tears of joy and laughing all the while."

He concludes "The two of them returned to a hero's welcome, and the old king wept with joy to see them. And the bells, so long silent, rang with joy again, The trumpets blared, and there was even more feasting and rejoicing. The woman who had been Prince Katsu's nurse also served as nurse to Prince Katsu's own children But none was as happy as Prince Katsu and Princess Hikari, who lived happily ever after for many years."

Misty suddenly notices Pikachu sniffling again. "What's the matter?"

"Pika pikachu pi..." Pikachu smiles through his happy tears.

"You love happy endings, huh?" Misty smiles as she wipes the tears from Pikachu's eyes...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 188: Princess Enya and Moltres (Brock)

(real tale: The Story of Zoulvisia)

"They say that long ago, in the desert of Houen, travelers would often claim to see a high mountain covered with beautiful trees, and the glitter of foaming waterfalls could be seen in the sunlight." Brock begins. "In that clear, still air it was even possible to hear the song of the bird Pokemon, and smell the flowers; but though the mountain was clearly inhabited -- you could see small houses here and there -- none of the kings, princes, and adventurers who passed it on the road to what is now Fallarbor Town or Lavaridge Town ever went into its forests -- or, if they did, they never came out."

Ash swallows hard as Brock intones "In fact, so great was the terror caused by the evil reputation of the mountain that fathers on their deathbeds would tell their sons and daughters never to try to fathom its mysteries. But in spite of its infamous nature, a certain number of young men and women every year announced their intention of visiting it and were never seen again."

He smiles as he looks out on his friends. "Having said all of that, I can properly begin this tale."

With that,he goes on "Now, there was once a powerful king who ruled over a country on the other side of the desert, and, as he was dying, gave the usual counsel to his seven sons. Hardly, was he dead did the eldest, who had inherited the throne, announce his intention of hunting in the enchanted mountain. The old sages shook their heads and tried to persuade him to give up the crazy scheme. But their warnings were in vain; he went, but did not return; and the throne was filled by his next brother. The same thing happened to the other five; but when the youngest--we'll call him Aidan--became king, he too proclaimed a hunt in the mountain. Needless to say, riots broke out in the city--the people were concerned about who would rule the land when he too inevitably died."

"So did King Aidan listen?" Melody worries.

"Well,for a while he listened to their pleas, and the land grew rich and prosperous under his rule." Brock assures Melody. "But in a few years the flights of fancy returned, and this time he would hear nothing of the warnings and pleas. Hunt in that forest he would, and after calling his friends and attendants round him, he set out one morning across the desert."

"So what happened to King Aidan?" Ash wonders.

"They were riding through a rocky valley, when a Sawsbuck sprang up in front of them and bounded away." Brock explains. "King Aidan naturally chased it, followed by his attendants; but the Pokemon ran so swiftly that they never could catch up to it, and it wasn't long before it vanished in the depths of the forest."

After waiting for a beat, he goes on "Then King Aidan stopped for the first time, and looked around him. He had left his companions behind, and, looking back, he spotted them entering some tents dotted here and there amongst the trees. For him, the fresh coolness of the woods was more attractive to him than any food, however delicious, and for hours he strolled about as his will led him."

Misty swallows hard as Brock goes on "However, it began to grow dark, and he thought that the moment had arrived for them to start for home. So, leaving the forest with a sigh, he made his way down to the tents, but imagine his horror to find his men lying about, some dead, some dying. It was as clear as day that the wine they had drunk contained deadly poison."

As King Aidan, he sighs "I am too late to help you, my friends, but at least I can avenge you! Those that have set this trap will most likely return to see if it worked. I will hide myself somewhere, and discover who they are!"

As himself, he continues "Then he noticed a large walnut tree nearby, and climbed into its branches. Night soon fell, and nothing broke the stillness of the place; but with the earliest glimpse of dawn a noise of galloping hoofs was heard."

"What was it?" Ash asks, fearing the worst.

"Pushing the branches aside the king noticed someone approaching, mounted on a shining Ponyta. On reaching the tents the warrior dismounted, and closely inspected the dead bodies that lay around them. Then, one by one, he dragged them to a ravine close by and threw them into a lake at the bottom. While he was doing this, the servants who had followed him led away the Ponytas of the ill-fated men, and the courtiers were ordered to let loose the Sawsbuck, which was used as a decoy, and to see that the tables in the tents were covered as before with food and wine. Once everything was in place he strolled slowly through the forest, but great was his surprise to come upon a beautiful shining Ponyta hidden in the depths of a thicket.'There was a Ponyta for every dead man,' he said to himself. 'Then whose is this ?'

"Mine !" he announces as King Aidan. 'Who are you that lure people into your power and then poison them ? But you will do so no more. Return to your palace, wherever it may be, and we will fight before it!"

"I accept your challenge. Mount, and follow me. I am Enya." Misty replies--a subtle clue to the audience that he is a she.

"No sooner had the stranger said this, he was out of sight so quickly that King Aidan had only time to notice that light seemed to flow from himself and his steed, and that the long hair under his helmet was jet black like a river of stars." Brock goes on "Clearly, he was a she. But who could she be? Was she queen of a far away land? Or was she a bandit queen? She was neither: only a beautiful maiden."

He pauses before continuing "King Aidan remained standing beneath the walnut tree, long after Ponyta and rider had vanished from sight. Then he woke with a jump, to remember that he must find the way to the palace of his foe, though where it was he had no idea. However, he took the path down which the rider had come, and walked along for many hours till he came to three huts side by side, in each of which lived a fairy and her two guardians."

"Pini?" Happini asks.

"The poor king was by this time so tired and hungry that he could hardly speak, but when he had drunk some water, and rested a little, he was able to reply to the questions they asked him." Brock replies.

"I am going to seek Enya," he explains as King Aidan; She has slain my brothers and many of my subjects, and I mean to avenge them."

"What a pity we did not know!" Melody gasps. "Twice today has she passed our door, and we might have kept her prisoner."

"But though their words were brave, their hearts were not, for the mere thought of Enya made them tremble." Brock narrates.

"Forget Enya, and stay with us," Melody pleads. "You shall be our big brother, and we will be your little sisters."

"So King Aidan took from his pocket a ruby, a sapphire, and a topaz, and gave one to each of the fairies, saying..." Brock then switches to his 'King Aidan' voice. "Though I may not give up my vengeance I accept your friendship, and therefore leave you these three gems. If any of them glow, know that my life is in danger, and, in memory of our promise, come to my aid."

As himself, he continues "The fairies agreed to the promise, and the king mounted his Ponyta and set out along the road they showed him. Just as the moon was rising that night, he saw a splendid palace, but, though he rode twice around it, he could find no door. He was considering what to do next, when he heard the sound of snoring. He looked down and saw an old man lying at the bottom of a deep pit, just outside the walls, with a lantern by his side. 'Perhaps he may be able to give me some counsel,' thought King Aidan; and he carefully climbed into the pit and laid his hand on the man's shoulder.

"Are you a Fletchling or an Ekans that you can enter here?" he asks as the old man

"I am only a mere mortal, and I seek Enya." he replies as King Aidan.

"Enya? The world's curse?" he gasps as the old man."'Out of all the thousands she has slain I am the only one who has escaped, though why she spared me only to condemn me to this living death I cannot guess."

"Help me if you can," he pleads as King Aidan..

"Take heed then to my counsel," he replies as the old man. "Know that every day at sunrise, Enya dresses herself in her jacket of rubies, and climbs the steps of her crystal watchtower. From there she can see all over her lands, and see the entrance of either man or demon. If so much as one is detected she utters such fearful words that those who hear her die of fright. But hide yourself in a cave that lies near the foot of the tower, and plant a forked stick in front of it; then, when she has uttered her third cry, go forth boldly, and look up at the tower. And go without fear, for you will have broken her power."

Ash leads the applause as Brock continues as himself "King Aiden did everything as the old man had told him, and when he came out from the cave, their eyes met."

"You have conquered me," Misty interjects as Enya, "and are worthy to be my husband, for you are the first person who has not died at the sound of my voice!"

"Enya let down her jet hair, which she used to pull the king to the top of the tower like a rope." Brock goes on. "Then she led him into the throne, and presented him to her household, where they were married right then and there."

"Ask of me what you wish, and I will grant it to you," Misty adds as Enya.

"King Aidan asked her to set free the old man that helped him, and to send him back to his own country." Brock narrates.

"I have finished with hunting, and with riding" Misty replies as Enya. "The care of providing for us all belongs to you now."

"She turned to her attendants and told them to bring the shining Ponyta before her." Brock narrates.

"This is your master, O my steed of flame, and you will serve him as you have served me." Misty coos to an imagined Ponyta as Enya.

"The Ponyta looked for a moment at the young man, and then bent his head, while the king patted his neck and smoothed his tail, like they were old friends." Brock goes on. "Then he decided to go on a ride, but before he left, Enya gave him a case of jewels."

"What was so special about them?" Ash is curious.

"He rode along for some time, without seeing any game to bring home for dinner. Suddenly a fine Sawsbuck dashed from the brush, and he quickly gave chase." Brock replies. "On they ran, but the Sawsbuck twisted and turned so that King Aidan had no chance of a shot till they reached a river, when the Pokemon jumped in and swam across. King Aidan fitted his bow with an arrow, and took aim..." He pantomimes aiming a bow to emphasize his point. "but although he succeeded in wounding the Sawsbuck, it had enough strength to reach the other bank, and in the confusion, he never noticed that the case of jewels had fallen in the water."

"Pika?" Pikachu asks.

"The stream, though deep, was fast, and the box was swirled along miles, and miles, and miles, till it was washed up in another country." Brock explains. "It was picked up by one of the royal waterbearers, who showed it to the king. The workmanship of the case was so curious, and the jewels so rare, that the king could not decide to part with it, but he gave the man a good price and sent him away. Then, summoning his chamberlain, he bade him find out its history in three days, or else."

"And then?" Misty wonders.

"But the answer to the riddle, which puzzled all the mages and wise men, was given by a wise woman, who came up to the palace and told the chamberlain that, for two hundred pieces of gold, she would reveal the mystery." Brock intones. "Of course the chamberlain gladly gave her what she asked, and in return she informed him that the case and the hair belonged to Enya. The chamberlain told her to bring her to that land, and she would be rick beyond her wildest dreams. The wise woman replied that she would try her best."

The tent is silent as the small audience wonders what will happen next. "She went back to her hut in the middle of the forest, and standing in the doorway, sang....

Gran zirtan vin fangan miti... Melody sings.

"Suddenly, the dead leaves on the ground began to move and to rustle, and from underneath them there came a long line of Arboks." Brock intones "They wriggled to the witch, who stooped down and patted their heads, and gave each one some milk in a red earthen basin. When they had all finished, she turned one into a cane and another into a whip with the same spellsong. Then she took a stick, and on the river bank changed it into a raft with that spellsong, and set sail."

"How did King Aidan react?" Ash asks, worried for the king.

"All that day she floated, and all the next night, and towards sunset the following evening she found herself close to Enya's garden, just at the moment that the King Aidan was returning from hunting." Brock goes on. "he asked the woman what she was doing there, and the woman told him the most heart wrenching tale Of course,King Aidan felt sorry for her and he promised that he would bring her food, and that she should spend the night in his palace. When they got there, he told the witch to rest herself, and he would bring her anything she needed. But Enya his wife grew white as Gastly when she heard who the guest was."

[This is boring...] a Meowth interjects.

Brock musters a embarrassed grin. "You're right--I picked one a bit too long, didn't I?"

"Don't worry--you can think of a shorter one--or a long one that doesn't ramble too much--while Ash and I take my turns." Misty assures him as the Pokemon laugh.