A Threesome's Tales

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 149: Sorin's Trap (Brock)

(real tale: Kalulu's Trap)

"Once King Entei gathered all the Pokemon together to announce that that spring they would not only clean house, they would also build a new village." Brock begins.

"We've grown too crowded here," he explains as King Entei.

"But as King Entei spoke, assigning everyone a task, Sorin was too busy watching Chimchar swinging from branch to branch, all the while chattering with delight." he goes on as himself. "Sorin gasped as Chimchar leaped this way and that, but then he had an idea--because everyone knows Sorin is quite the trickster...."

Enthusiastic cheers go up at the familiar beginning, but Brock just grins and savors the applause for a moment before continuing. "The next morning, when all the Pokemon set off to build their new village, Sorin stayed behind in his burrow. He had collected dozens of vines, and he wove then together to make an ingenious noose trap, which worked almost like a Chimchar's tail."

Giggles of anticipation go up at this. "When Sorin was sure he was alone, he tiptoed toward Braviary's nest and whirled a vine in the air, catching the nest." Brock proceeds to pantomime twirling a lasso for effect. "As he pulled it down to the soft forest floor, one of Braviary's eggs rolled out. Sorin picked it up and ran home to add it to his collection of treasures. That evening, when Braviary discovered her nest lying on the ground, she called to the others..."

"A thief stole one of my eggs," he screams as Braviary. "We must catch him!"

Laughter goes up at Brock's melodramatic pose. "We'll leave the nest here," he assures the audience as King Entei. "Surely the thief will return tomorrow to steal another egg. But this time we'll catch him."

"But King Entei didn't know Sorin had heard the whole thing." he goes on as himself. "They would leave Delcatty to catch the thief. Strong and beautiful as Delcatty was, Sorin wasn't afraid, and that night while everyone slept, Sorin spread his noose of vines across the forest path to Braviary's nest, cunningly attaching it to two palm trees, disguising it beneath the forest floor. Then he returned home to sleep."

The group tries oh-so-hard not to laugh as Brock continues "The next morning, the Pokemon set off to work, but Delcatty stayed behind, hidden behind a tree. Sorin, meanwhile, hid himself in some bushes near the fallen nest and rustled some leaves. Hearing this, Delcatty leaped from behind the tree to protect Braviary's nest, but as she crossed the path, she tripped upon the noose. It wrapped around her paw, and a moment later she was swinging high in the air."

The audience roars with laughter as they picture Delcatty in the trap. "Delcatty called and called for help, but nobody heard her." Brock continues when the laughter quiets. "This gave Sorin time to snatch another egg."

"And then?" Misty asks, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye.

"In the evening when the Pokemon returned, they found Delcatty swinging from the noose and quickly set her free." Brock replies, as if Misty's question was planned. "The next day, Primeape stayed behind to guard the nest, and he too was caught in the trap."

He adds as an aside "Needless to say, Primeape was deeply embarrassed when the others returned." to some laughter. "Liepard said he could outwit any trickster, but the next evening the Pokemon found him swinging from the noose. One by one, the other Pokemon all had their time in the trap, swinging foolishly in the air, unable to free themselves, and unable to protect Braviary's nest."

He then intones "Finally, only one egg remained."

"So who finally caught Sorin?" Melody asks.

"It was Wartortle who volunteered that night." Brock replies. "King Entei had his doubts, but Wartortle assured him she knew just what to do. That night, instead of hiding in the bushes, Wartortle climbed into Braviary's nest, just beside the last egg. She was hiding there when Sorin arrived to prepare his noose."

Ash and Misty grin at each other as Brock goes on. "When no one came when he rustled leaves, he crept to the nest and peered inside, where he swore he saw two eggs. He reached to grab the new, strange egg. As he did, Wartortle bit down as hard as she could on Sorin's foot."

More laughter fills the air as the audience pictures Sorin's reaction to the pain. "Sorin pleaded and pleaded for Wartortle to let him go, but Wartortle just held on, allowing the Pokemon to see who had been taking Braviary's eggs." Brock explains

He concludes "King Entei commanded that Sorin return Braviary's eggs, which he did, after Wartortle let go of his foot."

Even more giggles go up at this. "But as he limped home, he thought about just what trick he was gonna play next--cause that's Sorin for you!"

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 150: The Grateful Prince, part 3 (Misty)

(real tale: The Grateful Prince)


"So was the wizard setting a trap?" Ash wonders, eager to know how Misty's cliffhanger ends.

"Well, Prince Thomas blew it off as a joke, and told Briana that as well." Misty explains. "But Briana said..."

"Ah, it is no laughing matter," Melody sighs as Briana. "He means to eat you, and there is only one way in which I can help you. You must heat the fireplace poker until it is white hot, and hold it out to him instead of your hand."

"So the next morning he woke very early, and heated the poker before the old wizard was awake." Misty goes on. "It wasn't long before he heard the wizard calling him to wish his master good morning. But when Prince Thomas entered with the white-hot poker, his master only said...."

"I ab very ill today, ad too weak eben to touch your had." Brock feigns a stuffy head for his "old wizard" voice. "You bust return dis evening, whed I may be bedder."

Ash stifles a giggle at how well Brock feigns a stuffy head. "Prince Thomas goofed off all day, and in the evening went back to the old wizard's room." Misty continues. "He was received in the friendliest manner, and, to his surprise, his master exclaimed..."

"I am very well satisfied with you." Brock smiles, now speaking normally as the old wizard. "Come to me at dawn and bring the girl with you. I know you have long loved each other, and I wish to make you man and wife."

The Meowths swallow hard as Misty continues "Prince Thomas' first thought was to jump for joy, but, remembering the rules of the house, he managed to keep still. When he told Briana, he saw to his astonishment that she had become as white as a Gastly, and she was speechless."

"The old man has found out who was your counselor," Melody stammers as Briana "and he means to destroy us both. We must escape somehow, or else we shall be lost. Search the library--somewhere among all the spellbooks you will find a bright red ruby. Bring that to me. Meanwhile, I will do what is needed here."

"So Prince Thomas went into the library, and he found the glowing ruby on one of the highest shelves. He wrapped it with a thick cloth, and hid it in his shirt." Misty continues. "He brought it to Briana,and they fled that night. As they fled, Briana told him that she had overheard a conversation between the old man and a guest, saying that she was a princess, whom the old fellow had obtained by cunning from her parents. The prince, who knew all about the affair, was silent, though he was glad from his heart that it had fallen to his lot to set her free. So they went on till the day began to dawn."

"Pika?" Pikachu sparks in fear.

"The old wizard slept very late that morning, and was quite panicked and angry when he saw Thomas and Briana had escaped." Misty replies. He opened the door of the third stall--which was a secret quarters for the many monsters he kept, and told all of them to go and chase our heroes."

"Bring them to me, however you may find them, I want them alive!" Brock demands in character as the old wizard.

[What about Thomas and Briana?] Even Mai is frightened for the two runaways.

"Meanwhile, Thomas and Briana were crossing a great plain, when Briana sensed that they were being followed. "Misty intones. "Sure enough, they saw a black cloud flying before the wind. Then Briana cast a spell by singing..."

Rou iitsa ron selga vichii... Melody fills in the spellsong.

"The spellsong turned her into a stream, and Thomas into a Magikarp." Misty explains. "Some monsters arrived just after, but after not seeing anything out of the ordinary, they hurried home, leaving the stream and the Magikarp undisturbed."

Everyone heaves a sigh of relief. "When the monsters were gone, Thomas and Briana changed back, and proceeded on their journey." Misty continues. "When the monsters, tired and emptyhanded, returned, their master inquired what they had seen, and if anything weird had happened. The monsters told the old wizard what had happened, and he was so mad, he went and summoned more monsters to drink up the water in the stream, and catch the Magikarp."

Brock adds an evil chuckle for effect, making everyone shudder. "Meanwhile, Thomas and Briana had almost reached the edge of the forest, when Briana again sensed they were being followed. They looked, and they saw a cloud flying towards them, larger and blacker than the first, and striped with red. She gasped , and sang another magical song to the ruby...."

Karuto, iichida shou... Melody fills in the spellsong.

"This spellsong turned Briana into a rosebush, and Thomas a single red rose." Misty explains. "The monsters arrived soon afterwards, but they didn't find neither stream nor Magikarp; nothing but a rose bush. So they went home dejected, and when they were gone, the rose bush and rose changed back to their proper shapes and walked all the faster for the little rest they had had."

"And then?" Ash is excited now.

"The old wizard was even madder, and sent even more monsters to tear up the rosebush and the roots too." Misty continues. "Meanwhile, Thomas and Briana were resting in the shade of a forest, and were having lunch. Suddenly, Briana sensed they were being followed again,and sang another spellsong..."

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

"Briana turned into a gust of wind, while the prince darted about like a Yanma." Misty continues. "The next moment a crowd of monsters rushed up, and looked about in search of something strange, for neither a rose bush nor anything else was to be seen. But they had hardly turned their backs to go home empty-handed when Thomas and Briana stood on the ground again."

"We must go as fast as we can," Melody intones. "before the old wizard himself comes to seek us, for he will know us under any disguise."

"They ran on till they reached such a dark part of the forest that, if it had not been for the ruby's light, they could not have made their way at all. Worn out and breathless, they found a large stone, where Briana cast another spell..."

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

"and the stone rolled away, where they passed through the door to the world of light again." Misty continues. "Briana was about to bid Thomas farewell, but Thomas pleaded with her to stay with him, which she agreed. In the forest they met a woodcutter, who told them that in the palace, as well as in all the land, there had been great sorrow, as the old king had died of a broken heart."

"Pi ni..." Happini sighs.

"Yeah, poor king..." Brock agrees.

"Prince Thomas wept bitterly at this, for he had loved his father well." Misty continues. "After three days of mourning, he stood in the presence of his people as their new king, and, calling his advisors, he told them everything that had happened, and how Briana and her magic had protected him through it all."

She concludes "The advisors agreed that Briana should be queen, and they all lived happily ever after."

Ash heaves a sigh of relief. "You had me worried for a moment there..."

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 151: The Legend of Mizo, the Flute Boy, part 3 (Ash)

(real tale: Tiidu the Piper)

"So, did Mizo get off the island?" Melody asks.

"Well, that night he dreamed that his friend the old man appeared to him, and told him that because he did not mourn for your lost treasure, but only for his whistles, he would give him some new ones." Ash explains. "Sure enough, in the morning when he woke up, a silver whistle lying in a basket by him. He wasted no time in playing it, looking all the while for any sign of a sail." He plays "The Meowth's Call" for effect.

"Before long, he spotted a ship headed straight for the island; and Mizo, holding his whistle in his hand, dashed down to the shore." Ash continues when he finishes the song.

"The sailors knew the island was uninhabited, and were quite surprised to see someone standing on the beach, waving his arms at to them. A boat was put off, and two sailors rowed to the shore to discover how he came there, and if he wished to be taken away. Mizo told them the story of his shipwreck, and the captain promised that he should come on board, and sail with them back to the west land. Mizo was happy to accept the offer, and to show his gratitude by playing on his whistle whenever he was asked to do so."

After playing another set, he concludes "They had a quick voyage, and it was not long before Mizo found himself again in the streets of the capital of the west land, playing as he went along. The people had heard no music like his since he went away, and they crowded around him, and in their joy gave him whatever money they had in their pockets. For all I know, he may still be playing there to this day." He adds a playful flourish to signal the story's end..

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 152: The Boiled Eggs (Brock)

(real tale: Amin and the Boiled Eggs)

"There was once a young man --we'll call him Kazu--who worked day and night to make a living." Brock begins. "He plowed and harvested farmers’ fields and milked their Miltanks. But when a drought hit the land, Kazu found himself with no work. He decided he must move away or starve."

Concerns murmurs waft through the crowd as Brock continues "Since he had no money to buy him supplies for his journey, he asked his neighbor and friend--we'll call him Hiroshi--for a loan. Hiroshi had a barn full of Combuskens and, feeling sorry for his friend, agreed to help."

In an older version of himself, he assures the group “I’ll boil you a dozen eggs. They should feed you until you have found a way to feed yourself.”

As himself, he continues "Kazu carefully packed those eggs in a basket, grateful for his friend's help. Surely, he thought, those eggs would keep him from going hungry on the road."

He adds as an aside "Besides, the egg is a source of life, after all."

Ash and Misty nod in agreement. "And so, with hope in his heart, Kazu set off into the world to seek his fortune." Brock continues, walking around the tent all the while. "After a few months, a farmer hired him, and Kazu worked tirelessly. He worked for anyone who would hire him, no matter how little they paid. He was careful with the money he earned, so careful that after one year he had enough to buy a small plot of land. By the second year, he had a flock of Mareeps. By the third year, he had Ponytas and Miltanks."

Awed gasps race through the tent. "Each year he did better, adding more Pokemon and more acres to his farm." Brock explains. "By the time six years had gone by, he was a wealthy man, owner of many acres and so many Pokemon, they numbered like the sand by the sea. He also had Tepigs, Miltanks, Mareep, Ponytas, and Combuskens of his own."

Ash whistles in awe, impressed with that many Pokemon. "But wealth did not make Kazu entirely happy--it wasn't long before he started feeling homesick." Brock quiets the chatter as he returns to his spot in the middle of the tent. "So when he had more than most people like him would ever earn in a lifetime, he sold his land and most of his Pokemon, and with his favorite servant and Ponyta by his side, he mounted his favorite Rapidash--which had a shining blue mane, and rode toward home. As they rode, Kazu dreamed of the welcome he would receive in his village. He imagined the words of welcome his old friends would offer, and he smiled as he remembered the sights of all that was familiar to him."

After waiting for a beat, Brock goes on "But when he entered his village, no one recognized him at first, though rumors quickly spread of a rich man on a handsome Shiny Rapidash who had appeared. When people discovered this wealthy stranger was their own Kazu, they gossiped even more. Soon the people were convinced that Kazu’s wealth was even greater. People whispered of palaces and jewels, and many complained behind his back, wondering why Kazu was not giving out Pokemon and gold and silver to those who had once been his friends."

Giggles go up as the audience pictures the townsfolk's rumors and complaining. "But it was Hiroshi that was more upset than anyone..." Brock intones. "So one afternoon, he knocked on Kazu’s door." He knocks on the rock for effect, quieting the chatter.

“Come in, my friend.” he smiles as he approaches an imagined guest, using an older version of Ash as Kazu.

As Hiroshi, he sternly intones “I’ve come to collect the debt you owe me.”

“You wish me to give you a dozen boiled eggs?” he asks as Kazu, to some laughter.

“I have been very patient, Kazu,” he explains as Hiroshi. “I’ve waited seven years to be repaid. You owe me five hundred pieces of gold.”

“But Hiroshi, eggs are precious, but there is nowhere on this earth where eggs are so costly.” he protests as Kazu, to more laughter.

“You don’t understand. Those eggs could have been my fortune.” he retorts as Hiroshi.

The crowd laughs even more as Brock balks in feigned surprise. “Old friend,” he gasps as Kazu, “I don’t know how you make your calculations. I do not owe you five hundred pieces of gold for 12 boiled eggs.”

“Then we will take this matter before the magistrate.” he offers as Hiroshi.

The crowd applauds the interplay before Brock continues as himself "So the two of them traveled to the magistrate's house. Hiroshi explained to the magistrate that he had given Kazu a dozen eggs, and each one of those eggs might have become a Combusken. Each of those Combuskens might have lain dozens of eggs, and each of those eggs, too, would have become Combuskens, and in seven years, he would have owned a great flock if he hadn’t given away those dozen eggs."

"After Kazu presented his side of the story, it was getting late, so the magistrate told the two of them to return the next day, and he would decide the case then." he explains. "The next morning, the magistrate stepped out to announce his decision. A huge crowd had come to the magistrate's house--everyone waited to hear what the magistrate would decide. But Kazu was not there, and for 30 minutes everyone waited patiently for him to arrive."

He waits a few moments, as if waiting for Kazu to enter the tent. "Finally, the magistrate was about to announce that Kazu would have to pay Hiroshi for the eggs when Kazu arrived, red-faced and out of breath. He explained that he had a plate of boiled beans he had to plant in the garden, for he wanted a good crop the next year.”

Everyone laughs at how silly the request is. "The magistrate laughed like you guys, and told Kazu that boiled beans could not grow.” Brock explains to the crowd. "Kazu explained that he was essentially doing the same thing by pronouncing that boiled eggs hatched into Combuskens."

"Oh's fill the air as Brock concludes "Needless to say, the magistrate turned a lovely shade of Charizard red, and commended Kazu for his wisdom, in addition to pronouncing him innocent. Kazu forgave Hiroshi for jumping to conclusions, but no one in that land forgot the lesson of the boiled eggs for a long time."

Misty leads the applause as Brock takes a bow...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 153: How Ho'oh and Lugia Took Flight (Misty)

(real tale: Why the Sun and Moon Live in the Sky)


"A long time ago, when the world was new, Ho'oh and Manaphy were great friends, and both lived on the earth together." Misty begins. "Ho'oh would often visit Manaphy, but Manaphy never visited Ho'oh in return."

"That's not nice!" Ash gasps at this.

"Finally, Ho'oh asked Manaphy why it was that he never came to see her, and Manaphy replied that Ho'oh's nest was not big enough, and that if he came, the sea would follow him, driving Ho'oh out."

Ash ponders this--Manaphy actually has a valid reason, as he is the Prince of the Sea.

"He then suggested that Ho'oh build a very large house; as the sea would take up a lot of room." Misty explains. "Ho'oh promised to build a huge house, and returned home to her beloved, Lugia, who greeted her with a broad smile when he opened the door. Ho'oh told Lugia what she had promised Manaphy, and the next day commenced building a huge house in which to entertain Manaphy."

"Of course, no house can hold the entire ocean..." Brock muses.

"When it was done, Ho'oh asked Manaphy to come and visit her the next day." Misty continues. "When Manaphy arrived, he called out to Ho'oh, and asked her if it was safe to come in, and Ho'oh invited Manaphy inside. Manaphy came inside, and then the sea began to flow in, accompanied by the water Pokemon."

The boys chuckle as they picture Ho'oh's panicked reaction. "Before long the water was knee-deep, so Manaphy asked Ho'oh if it was still safe, and Ho'oh said yes, so more water came in." Misty goes on. The Meowths giggle as she continues "When the water was level with the top of a person's head, Manaphy asked if it was safe to come in, and Ho'oh and Lugia both said yes, not knowing any better. So the water flowed on, until Ho'oh and Lugia had to perch on the roof."

She concludes "Again Manaphy asked Ho'oh if it was okay to come in, and got the same answer. As more water came rushing in, it very soon overflowed the top of the roof, and Ho'oh and Lugia were forced to fly into the sky, where they have remained ever since."

Brock raises an eyebrow. "For all we know, that house may be lying at the bottom of the sea..."

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 154: The Prince's Spellsong (Ash)

(real tale: Graciosa and Percinet)


"Once there lived a king and queen who had a daughter they loved very much." Ash begins. "She was so graceful, pretty, and clever that she was called Charissa, which means 'grace'. Her mom and dad loved her so much, they would rather lose everything they owned than see Princess Charissa unhappy."

"Pini?" Happini asks, intrigued by a princess tale.

"Well, every day she gave Princess Charissa a lovely new dress of gold, or satin, or velvet, or something equally valuable." Ash explains. "and when she was hungry she had the choicest meats, cheeses, and vegetables, and bowls full of all manner of candies. Princess Charissa was well loved and well liked in all the kingdom, and everybody said she was the happiest princess in the world."

"Azu ri..." Azurill imagines herself as a princess.

"Now, in this land's court was a very rich old duchess whose name was Amara." Ash continues. "She was infamous for her hair trigger temper, and her hair, now icy white, had once been red as fire, and she had piercing green eyes that many said could see into your soul!"

Misty shudders at the old duchess' description, but Ash isn't done yet. "Her face was as broad as a full moon, and her mouth was so large that everybody who met her would have been afraid they were going to be eaten alive by sickly yellow teeth. She could not bear to hear everyone saying how pretty and how charming Charissa was. If anyone happened to mention the charming princess, she would loudly proclaim that she had more beauty in her pinky than Princess Charissa had in her whole body."

"Talk about a huge ego..." Brock muses.

"The years went by, until one day, to the great grief of the kingdom, the queen caught a horrible disease and died, despite the healer's best efforts." Ash continues. "The king became so depressed that he locked himself up in his palace and didn't come out for a year. The royal healers, fearing that he too would get sick, told him to go out and have some fun. So a hunting party was assembled, but as it was very hot that day, the king soon got tired, and decided to rest at a castle they were passing by."

"Pini?" Happini asks.

"The king didn't know that this particular castle happened to be Duchess Amara's castle." Ash intones, making the babies shudder. "When she heard that the king was coming, she went out to meet him, and told him that the cellar was the coolest place in the whole castle. So down they went together, and the king saw about two hundred great casks ranged side by side, asked if it was only for herself that she had this immense store of wine. Duchess Amara said that the massive amount of wine was for herself alone, but she would be happy to let the king have some of it."

"I have a bad feeling about this..." Misty worries.

"So after the king told Amara what kind of wine he wanted, he was stunned when gems game from the barrel instead of wine." Ash goes on. "Gold came out of a second barrel, and silver from a third. Duchess Amara insisted she didn't have a clue as to how all the riches got there, but the king didn't buy her story one bit. Duchess Amara finally came clean, and said they were all filled with gold, silver, and jewels, and offered to marry the king right then."

Everyone gasps at this. "The king agreed, under the condition that Duchess Amara would have entire control of Princess Charissa to do as she pleased with her."

"Waring, warning, mistake in progress!" Brock interjects.

Ash stifles a giggle before continuing "Understandably, Princess Charissa was horrified at the news of her father marrying Duchess Amara, but reluctantly got ready to go visit Duchess Amara's castle. When she told her maid what the matter was, her maid told her not to let the Duchess see how much she disliked her. At first, Princess Charissa would not promise, but her maid showed her so many good reasons for it that in the end she agreed to at least tolerate her stepmother."

"Pini pi..." Happini sniffles a little.

"While Charissa was waiting on her father to be ready, she went through the garden into a little clearing in the forest, where she sat down upon a mossy bank and began to think about her situation." Ash continues. "It wasn't long before she began to cry, and she cried, and cried, and forgot all about going back to the palace, until she suddenly saw a handsome page standing before her. He was dressed in green, and the cap which he held in his hand was adorned with white plumes. When Charissa looked at him he went down on one knee, and said to her..."

"Princess, the king awaits you." Brock fills in the dialogue as he bows on one knee before Melody, who giggles in embarrassment.

"Princess Charissa was surprised, and very much delighted at the page, who she had never seen before." Ash continues. "Thinking he was in the service of the duchess, she said..."

"How long have you been one of the king's pages?" Melody asks Brock.

"I am not in the service of the king, madam..." Brock replies, "but in yours."

"In mine?" Melody gasps as Charissa. "Then how is it that I have never seen you before?"

"Ah, Princess!" Brock assures Melody, "I have never before dared to present myself to you, but now the king's marriage threatens you with so many dangers that I have resolved to tell you at once how much I love you already, and I trust that in time I may win your regard. I am Prince Tristan, of whose riches you may have heard, and whose magic powers will, I hope, be of use to you in all your difficulties, if you will permit me to accompany you under this disguise."

"Tristan!" Melody smiles in character. "is it really you? I have so often heard of you and wished to see you. If you will indeed be my friend, I will not be afraid of that wicked old duchess any more."

Everyone applauds at the interplay before Ash goes on "So they went back to the palace together, and there Charissa found a beautiful Shiny Rapidash which Tristan had brought for her to ride. As it was very spirited he led it by the bridle. This enabled him to turn and look at the Princess often. When the Rapidash which the Duchess was to ride appeared beside Charissa's, it looked no better than an old cart Ponyta, and its flames were mere embers. As to their trappings, there was simply no comparison between them, as the princess's saddle and bridle were one glittering mass of diamonds. The king had so many other things to think of that he did not notice this, but all his courtiers were entirely taken up with admiring the princess and her charming page in green, who was more handsome and distinguished-looking than all the rest of the court put together."

"This is getting good...and then?" Misty smiles.

"When they met Duchess Amara she was seated in an open carriage trying in vain to look dignified." Ash replies. "The king and the princess saluted her, and her Rapidash was brought forward for her to mount. But when she saw the Shiny Rapidash, she was steamed!"

Everyone laughs as they picture Duchess Amara's outburst. "The king commanded Charissa to dismount and to beg the Duchess to honor her by mounting her Rapidash. Princess Charissa reluctantly complied, and the duchess, without even so much as a thank you, scrambled up upon the beautiful Rapidash, where she sat looking like a bundle of clothes, and eight officers had to hold her up for fear she would fall off."

The tent erupts in laughter at the comical scene. "So the king ordered the page to come and lead the queen's Rapidash." Ash continues when the laughter quiets. Tristan and the princess looked at one another, but said nothing, as he did as the king commanded, and the procession started in great pomp. The duchess was greatly elated, and as she sat there in state would not have wished to change places even with Princess Charissa. But at the moment when it was least expected the beautiful Rapidash began to plunge and rear and kick, and finally ran away at such a pace that it was impossible to stop it."

"Yee-hah!" Misty cries.

"Ride'em, cow-duchess!" Brock agrees, mocking Duchess Amara.

Ash tries oh-so hard not to laugh as he continues "At first Duchess Amara clung to the saddle for dear life, but she was very soon thrown off and fell in a heap among the stones and thorns, and there they found her, shaken up, but very angry, and collected what was left of her as if she had been a broken glass. As she recovered in bed, she began to scold and rage, and declared that the whole affair was Charissa's fault, that she had contrived it on purpose to try and get rid of her, and that if the king would not have her punished, she would go back to her castle and enjoy her riches by herself."

"Azu..." Azurill swallows hard. Pikachu sparks in anger, as if Charissa is actually there

"At this the King was terribly frightened, for he did not at all want to lose all those barrels of gold and jewels." Ash intones. "So to appease the duchess, he told her she could punish Charissa in any way she saw fit."

"Princess Charissa was seized by four waiting women, who looked so tall and strong and cruel that the she shuddered at the sight of them, and still more when she saw them arming themselves with great bundles of rods." Ash goes on. "She heard the Duchess call out to them from her bed to beat her without mercy."

Pikachu's angry sparks grow even brighter. "Hap pini pini pi!" Happini protests.

"Azu azu!" Azurill agrees.

"Princess Charissa pleaded to Arceus that Tristan would come to rescue her." Ash continues. Suddenly, seconds before the first lash was to be delivered, she heard a familiar voice sing..."

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

"Princess Charissa discovered, to her great relief, that the rods had changed to bundles of Beautifly wings, and though the Duchess's women went on till they were so tired that they could no longer raise their arms, she was not hurt at all. However, the duchess thought she must be black and blue after such a beating; so Princess Charissa, when she was released, pretended to be in pain, and went away into her own room, where she told her maid all that had happened. She was more than relieved to see Tristan beside her. She thanked him profusely for helping her."

Pikachu stays his Thunderbolt and the babies heave a relieved sigh as Ash goes on "They talked and laughed late into the night, but Tristan advised her to fake sick for a few days, and after promising to come to her aid whenever she needed him, he disappeared as suddenly as he had come."

[And then?] Korra asks, excited.

"Duchess Amara, meanwhile was actually thrilled that Charissa was sick." Ash goes on. "The king and the duchess were married the next day with all the magnificence of a royal wedding. By now, the king knew that, above all other things, his new queen loved to be told that she was beautiful. So he ordered that her portrait should be painted, and that a tournament should be held, at which all the bravest knights of his court should maintain against all comers that Amara was the most beautiful princess in the world."

"Pika..." Pikachu grumbles.

"Millions of knights came from far and wide to accept the challenge, and the hideous queen sat on a balcony hung with banners to watch the various contests." Ash continues. and Charissa had to stand up behind her, where her loveliness was so conspicuous that the combatants could not keep their eyes off her. But the queen was so vain that she thought all their admiring glances were for herself, especially as, in spite of the badness of their cause, the king's knights were so brave that they were the victors in every battle, whether they themselves fought, or their Pokemon fought."

The tent is quiet as Ash continues "However, when nearly all the strangers had been defeated, a young unknown knight appeared. He carried a portrait, enclosed in a bow encrusted with diamonds, and he declared himself willing to maintain against them all that the queen was the ugliest creature in the world, and that the princess whose portrait he carried was the most beautiful. So one by one the knights and their Pokemon came out against him, and one by one he defeated them all, and then he opened the box, and said that, to console them, he would show them the portrait of his beloved, and when he did so everyone recognized the Princess Charissa. The unknown knight then saluted her gracefully and retired, without telling his name to anybody. But Princess Charissa had no difficulty in guessing that it was Tristan."

"I bet Duchess Amara was steamed..." Misty giggles.

"She was mad, all right." Ash laughs. "and yelled and screamed at Charissa for so long, the guards had to be called. But that night, Charissa was forced into Amara's carriage, and away they drove, and never stopped until they reached a great forest, a hundred miles from the palace. This forest was so gloomy, and so full of fierce Pokemon that nobody dared pass through it even by daylight. They dropped Princess Charissa there, and left her in spite of all her tears and pleas."

"Pini ni..." Happini shudders in fear as Pikachu charges more angry sparks.

"The princess stayed still at first, but when the last sound of the retreating carriage died away in the distance she began to run, sometimes knocking herself against a tree, sometimes tripping over a stone, fearing every minute that she would be eaten up by one Pokemon or another. Finally, she was too tired to take another step, so she threw herself on the ground and cried..."

"Oh, Tristan, where are you?" Melody cries as Charissa.

"She had hardly spoken when a familiar voice sang in the darkness..." Ash narrates.

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... Brock sings as Tristan.

"...and all the forest was lit up with a sudden silver glow." Ash continues. "Every tree seemed to be sending out a soft radiance, which was clearer than moonlight and softer than daylight, and at the end of a long path lined with trees, Princess Charissa saw a palace of clear crystal which blazed like the sun. She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder, but sighed with relief when she saw it was Tristan."

"My apologies...I did not intend to frighten you, Princess." Brock assures Melody as Tristan. "I come to bid you welcome to our holy palace, in the name of the Queen, my mother, who loves you as if you were her own daughter.

"Princess Charissa climbed with him into a little sled, drawn by two Sawbucks, which bounded off to the wonderful palace, where the queen received her with the greatest kindness, and a splendid banquet." Ash continues. "Princess Charissa was so happy to have found Tristan, and escaped from the gloomy forest. The banquet was a grand affair, and Charissa enjoyed herself late into the night. After dinner, they went into another lovely room, where the crystal walls were covered with pictures, and Princess Charissa noticed with great surprise that her own history was represented, right down to the moment when Tristan found her in the forest."

"Your artists must indeed be diligent," Melody smiles at Brock.

"They are obliged to be, for I will not have anything forgotten that happens to you." Brock answers as Tristan.

"When Princess Charissa finally got tired, twenty-four maidens put her to bed in the prettiest room she had ever seen, and then sang to her so sweetly that Charissa's dreams were all of exotic lands, and cool sea waves, and caverns, in which she wandered with Tristan; but when she woke up again her first thought was that, delightful as this enchanted palace seemed to her, she could not stay in it, but must go back to her father." Ash explains. "Of course, Tristan was bitterly disappointed when she told him what she had been thinking. He begged her to consider again how unhappy the wicked queen would make her, and how, if she would but marry him, all the enchanted palace would be hers, and his one thought would be to please her, and she too would learn to harness the power of the mystical spellsongs. But, in spite of everything he could say, Princess Charissa was quite determined to go back, but Tristan ultimately persuaded her to stay eight days."

He pauses for a moment, then continues "Those eight days were so full of pleasure and amusement that it seemed they passed like a few hours. On the last day, Charissa, who had often felt anxious to know what was going on in her father's palace, and asked Tristan to find out for her. Tristan at first offered to send his courier to find out, but Princess Charissa said..."

"Isn't there a quicker way of knowing than that?" Melody asks as Princess Charissa.

"Very well," Brock replies as Tristan. "you shall see for yourself."

So they went up to a high tower, which, like the rest of the castle, was built entirely of clear crystal that shone in many colors." Ash continues. There Tristan told Charissa to hold her hands in a cup shape. When Charissa had her hands in the requested shape, Tristan sang...."

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... Brock sings again as Tristan.

"Princess Charissa saw her hands glow silver for a moment, then gasped in horror at the scene she saw in her hands." Ash explains. "She saw the wicked queen go to the King, and heard her tell him she had died. She saw how she dressed up a log of wood and had it buried, and how the old king cried, and all the people murmured that the queen had killed Charissa with her cruelty, and that she ought to die in one way or another. But when she saw that the king was so sorry for her pretended death that he could neither eat nor drink, she cried...."

"Oh, Tristan! Take me back quickly if you love me." Melody pleads.

"Tristan reluctantly took Princess Charissa home." Ash goes on. "When they got to the palace, he made the sled and themselves invisible via his spellsong..."

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

"so Princess Charissa got in undetected." Ash continues. "She ran up to the great hall where the king was sitting all by himself. At first he was very much startled by Charissa's sudden appearance, but she told him how the queen had left her out in the forest, and how she had caused a log of wood to be buried. The king, who did not know what to think, sent quickly and had it dug up, and sure enough it was as Princess Charissa had said. He was elated to see Charissa again, and bade her sit down to dinner with him, and they were very happy. However...."

"Uh oh..." Misty swallows hard.

"Someone had told the wicked queen that Princess Charissa had come back, and was having dinner with the king." Ash intones. "She flew into a terrible fury. claiming that Charissa was an impostor, and that if the King did not give her up at once she would go back to her own castle and never see him again, he had not a word to say, and really seemed to believe that it was not Charissa after all. So the Queen in great triumph sent for her waiting women, who dragged the unhappy princess away and shut her up in dungeon; they took away all her jewels and her pretty dress, and gave her rags. There was some straw in a corner, which was all she had for a bed, and they gave her a very little bit of hard bread to eat. Princess Charissa did indeed regret leaving the enchanted palace. She would have called Tristan to her aid, only she felt sure he was still mad at her for leaving him, and thought that he would not come anymore."

"Pini..." Happini sniffles as she brushes away a tear.

"As if that weren't enough..." Ash intones, making the babies' eyes well up with tears. The Queen had summoned a Mismagius, and told it to find some impossible task for Princess Charissa to do. The Mismagius conjured a skein of thread, three times as big as herself; that was so fine that a breath of air would break it, and so tangled that it was nigh on impossible to figure out where it started and where it ended. The queen then told Charissa to try and untangle the skein before sunset, or else."

The babies swallow hard, not wanting to know what "or else" is.

"Princess Charissa had no idea where to begin in untangling the thread." Ash continues. "After a few minutes of fruitless struggle, she cried..."

"Oh, Tristan! This fatal skein will be the end of me if you will not forgive me and help me once again."

"Sure enough, Tristan arrived as easily as if he had all the keys in his own pocket." Ash narrates.

"Here I am, Princess, ye have called, and I have come." Brock replies as Tristan.

"He wasted no time in singing his mystical spellsong..." Ash narrates.

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul.... Brock sings again,

"and all the broken threads became like new, and the whole skein wound itself smoothly." Ash narrates. "Tristan then asked if there was anything else that she wished him to do for her, and if the time would ever come when she would wish for him for his own sake."

"Please don't be mad at me, Tristan," Melody pleads as Charissa. "I am unhappy enough as it is."

"But why should you be unhappy, my Princess? I can understand if you wish to see your family again, as cruel as your stepmother is." Brock assures Melody as Tristan. "But the enchanted palace will always be open for you should you decide to return."

"With that, Tristan left her." Ash narrates. "Meanwhile, the wicked Queen was chomping at the bit to punish Charissa that she thought the sun would never set. But, as soon as she entered, Charissa presented her with the ball of thread in perfect order, so that she had no fault to find, and could only pretend to discover that it was soiled, for which imaginary fault she slapped her on each cheek so many times that it turned her skin at least three different colors."

"Ow...." Misty winces at the thought of the pain.

"The next day, the Mismagius appeared with a huge barrel full of the feathers of all sorts of bird Pokemon." Ash continues. "There were Pidgeys, Spearows, Farfetch'd, Doduo, Togekiss, Chatots, Noctowls, Taillows, Pidoves, Natus, Vullabies, Starlies, Fletchlings, and any other bird Pokemon in the Pokedex. These feathers were all mixed up to the point that the Pokemon themselves could not have chosen out their own."

"Prof. Oak would have a headache if he saw that pile..." Misty muses, making nervous giggles fill the tent.

The Mismagius told Charissa to pick out and lay in a separate heap the feathers of each Pokemon by sunset, or else." Ash explains. "Charissa tried, but it was nigh on impossible to tell which feather belonged to what Pokemon, and after a few minutes, she sighed in frustration..."

"The Queen wishes to kill me, and if I must die I must." Melody sighs. "I fear what will happen if I ask Tristan to help me again, for if he really loved me he would not wait till I called him, he would come as soon as he knew I was in danger, with his magical song."

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... Brock sings before answering as Tristan. "I am here, Charissa--though your heart is unsure, know that I love you with all my heart, no matter what happens."

"Then he sang his holy spellsong again..." Ash narrates.

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

"and all the feathers flew out in a cloud and settled down in neat little separate heaps all round the room." Ash continues, to some light applause. "When the wicked queen came at sunset she was amazed and infuriated to find the task done. However, she complained that the heaps of feathers were badly arranged, and for that, Princess Charissa was beaten till she was black and blue--again!"

"Ow, again...." Brock notes as himself, making Melody giggle.

"On the third day, the duchess told Charissa to carry a silver box to my castle, and set it on the table in her own room." Ash explains. "But she forbade her to look at what it contained, or else."

[Did she have to have Tristan's help?] Korra wonders.

"Actually, Princess Charissa accomplished this on her own, but Tristan was watching over her, albeit unseen." Ash replies. "When the Queen saw her, she flat out clobbered the poor Mismagius, and would have killed her if a Ghost Pokemon could be killed."

[I wonder when Princess Charissa will see Tristan really does love her.] Mai wonders.

"The next day, Queen Amara dug a hole big enough to make Team Rocket proud, and covered it with a huge rock." Ash continues. "Then she sent for Charissa and told her there was a great treasure under the rock, which was only a ruse for her to push Charissa in the hole!"

Everyone gasps at this, but Ash assures his audience "Princess Charissa's first thought was to cry, but she screamed..."

"Oh, Tristan!" Melody pleads. "If you only knew how I am suffering because of my not trusting you! But how could I be sure that you would not be like other man and tire of me from the moment you were sure I loved you?"

"She suddenly heard a familiar spellsong...." Ash narrates.

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... Brock sings as Tristan again.

"Charissa was surrounded in a bright rainbow light, and warped into a enchanted garden." Ash continues. "Flowers and fruit grew on every side, fountains splashed, and birds sang in the branches overhead, and when she reached a great pathway lined with trees and looked up to see where it would lead her, she found herself close to the palace of crystal. Yes! there was no mistaking it, and the queen and Tristan were coming to meet her."

He concludes "Princess Charissa finally confessed her love for Tristan, and they were married right then with the greatest splendor. They all lived happily ever after."

Pikachu leads the applause as Ash, Brock, and Melody take a bow...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 155: The Legend of the Shining Mountain (Brock)

(real tale: The Story of the Golden Mountain)


"In a certain land lived a king and queen who had three sons, the youngest of which was named Shane." Brock begins. "Now, one day the king and queen went for a walk in the royal garden--something they often liked to do when the weather was nice--when suddenly, a great storm blew up, and by the time it died down, the queen was gone."

"Pini!" Happini gasps.

"The king was heartbroken, and mourned a long time for his wife; and the two eldest sons, seeing their father’s sorrow, asked for permission to go look for their mother." Brock assures Happini. "The king said okay, and they set out early the next morning."

"Pika pi?" Pikachu asks, sparking with excitement about a quest.

"The two sons traveled for a long time, until they came to a vast desert, where they made camp, and waited for someone to come guide them through the sands." Brock replies. "They waited for three years, but no one came."

"How did they survive for those three years in boiling hot days and cold nights?" Ash wonders.

"Probably packed enough supplies to last three years, if not more." Misty replies

"Meanwhile, Shane had come of age, and he too went to his father and asked to go search for his mother." Brock goes on. "He wandered for a long time, until he found his brothers' camp. Shane suggested they travel together, and they all left early the next morning."

[What adventures did they get into?] a Meowth asks.

"They rode on for days, until they spotted a palace, built of crystal, and surrounded by a crystal fence." Brock replies. "So they rode up to the palace, Shane opened the gate, and the three of them entered the courtyard. At the entryway he saw a pillar, into which were fastened two rings, one of gold and the other of silver. Then drawing his bridle through both these rings, he tied up his Ponyta, and went upstairs. It turned out the crystal palace belonged to the three boys' uncle, who was said to have magic powers. He welcomed his nephews to his palace, and they talked and visited for some time."

"And then?" Misty is intrigued.

"When it was time for them to go, the brothers received a magical crystal ball, which flew off into the sky." Brock continues. "The boys rode after it, until they came to a mountain that shone like the sun, so high and steep that they could not climb it. Shane scouted the area around the mountain, until he found an entrance in the rock. He stepped into it and saw an iron door, with a gold ring; and on opening it, found some mythril spurs, which he fastened to his hands and feet, and then climbed up the mountain. When he got to the top, he was very tired, and sat down to rest; but no sooner had he taken off the spurs, they vanished."

"So, what was in the mountain?" Ash asks.

"Just then, Shane saw a tent made of linen, which led to a golden kingdom, and on its top was a golden ball." Brock replies. "He approached the tent; but at its entrance there lay two Enteis guarding the entrance. Shane noticed two gold basins standing close by, poured some water into them, and let the Enteis drink it, who then let him freely enter the tent. When he got in, Shane saw a beautiful princess lying on a sofa, guarded by a fierce Hydreigon, which he killed in a single blow. The princess thanked him for rescuing her, and gave him a gold egg that held an entire kingdom made of gold."

"What else did Shane find?" Misty asks, excited.

"Shane also discovered a kingdom of silver and a kingdom of crystal, and saved princesses there as well." Brock explains. "After traveling a long way, Shane came to a castle, where he found his mother sitting in a beautiful throne room, arrayed in royal robes. Shane was overjoyed to see her, and told her how he had traveled far and wide with his brothers in search of her. Then the queen told Shane that an evil Gengar would soon appear, and told him to hide himself in the folds of her cloak. When the Gengar tried to embrace her, Shane was to try in any way he could to seize a magical ruby he held with both hands. The Gengar would then rise up with him from the earth, only to fall down again and shatter into a bazillion pieces like glass. Shane would then collect and burn the ghostly shards, and scatter the ashes in the field.”

"I have a bad feeling Shane is about to be backstabbed by his brothers..." Ash muses...

"Everything happened as the queen had said, and Shane did everything he was supposed to do, only keeping the magic ruby." Brock goes on. After guiding his mother and the three princesses he had rescued down to the surface, his brothers saw that he was alone on the mountain, left him behind, and took all the credit for saving them, when it was really Shane that did the job."

"Hap pini!" Happini snaps.

"Shane, meanwhile, had no idea how to get down." Brock continues. "He decided to pass the time trying every last one of the mystical spellsongs his uncle had taught him, in hopes one of them would be the right way to tap into the ruby's power. When he tried..." Brock pauses to sing Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... "a Riolu stood before him, who said..."

"What is yer pleasure, Prince Shane?” Ash asks in character as Erin, his Riolu mage.

"Shane asked the Riolu who she was, and how she had come to that uninhabited mountain." Brock narrates.

"I am only a spirit,” Ash replies as Erin. “and was subject te te Gengar ye destroyed; but as you now possess his magical ruby, and have sang the mystical spellsong that binds you and I together, I am here ready te serve ye.”

"Shane first asked the Riolu to take him back to his own kingdom.” Brock continues. "All Erin had to do was sing her own spellsong..."

Karuto, iiciida shou... Ash sings as Erin.

"...and Shane found himself warped to his homeland in the blink of an eye." Brock continues "He quickly returned to the castle and explained what had happened to the whole court. His mother and the three princesses realized that it had actually been Shane that had saved them, and ran to embrace him. His brothers looked down ashamed, and the king stood there speechless; but his wife soon explained it all to him. The king was steamed when he heard what his sons had done, and thought seriously about killing them both; but Shane pleaded that if he was to receive a reward for what he did, he only wanted his brothers spared." The king agreed, and forgave the two elder brothers, saying it was their younger brother's love that saved them."

He concludes "The next day three weddings were celebrated-- the eldest son took the princess of the golden kingdom; the second son chose the princess of the silver kingdom, and Shane settled with the princess in the crystal kingdom. He kept the magical ruby with him, where it led him and his brothers on many more adventures. But that is another story for another day!"

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 156: Flying Magikarps and Swimming Bunearies (Misty)

(real tale: How a Fish Swam in the Air and a Hare in the Water)

"Once there was a man and his wife that lived together in a little village not far from what is today Cerulean City." Misty begins. "They might have been happy if only the woman had the sense to know when to be quiet. But even the most benign of rumors had to be proclaimed to the whole village, and these tales were repeated and altered so much that people had to see if they were true, and the man had to deflect inquisitive neighbors and pranksters."

The boys laugh at this. "Now one day, the man was walking through the forest, and he stepped on a soft patch of earth hard enough that his foot sank in the earth." Misty explains. "Curious as to what it was, he dug a little bit, and discovered a little chest full of gold, silver, and jewels."

"BA-DA-DA-DAAAAAAAAAA!!!" Brock can't resist singing the Zelda 'got item' stinger.

Misty waits for the boys to calm down, then goes on. "The man was understandably excited, but then he wondered how he could take the treasure home with him--once his wife knew about his fortune, she would tell the whole world, and then...well, he didn't want to know what would happen after that."

Ash chuckles as Misty continues " So he sat down and thought long and hard about what to do, ultimately brainstorming a plan. He covered up the chest again, and returned to town, where he bought a live Magikarp and a live Buneary in the marketplace. Then he returned to the forest and hung the Magikarp up at the top of a tree, and then tied up the Buneary in a fishing net and set it on the edge of a little stream, never mind how unpleasant such a wet spot was likely to be to the Buneary."

The boys giggle as they picture a soaked Buneary. "So when he got back and told his wife of his fortune--after having her swear she would not tell anyone--she asked why he didn't bring it back." Misty continues. "The man assured her that they would go there together and divvy up equal shares together."

"How does the Magikarp and the Buneary factor into this?" Ash wonders.

"The next day, as they were on their way to the forest, the man told his wife that water Pokemon lived and thrive in the trees and that some land Pokemon spent their time in the water." Misty explained. "The wife thought her husband was nuts at first, but did a double take when she saw the Magikarp in the tree and the Buneary in the water!"

The tent explodes in laughter. "They retrieved the Magikarp, the Buneary, and the treasure, and lived quite comfortably." Misty continues. "The wife threw lavish parties every day, much to the man's chagrin. "He tried to talk some common sense into her, but instead, she marched off to the magistrate and told him that ever since they had found the treasure, her husband had grown very lazy and a miser. Although the woman was lying through her teeth, the magistrate had to take the matter seriously, and sent his chief secretary to look into the matter."

"And then?" Brock is piqued.

"The secretary called the village council together, and went with them to the man's house." Misty replies. "he explained that by order of the magistrate, he had to turn over the treasure. But the man played dumb, and asked that the wife tell her side of the story."

"Uh oh..." Ash chuckles in anticipation.

"As the wife explained what had happened, the secretary and the council howled with laughter, so much so the magistrate couldn't make sense of it all." Misty concludes. Needless to say, the woman was very careful about what gossip she shared after that!"

"Oh, that was so funny!" Melody giggles as she wipes a tear of laughter from one eye...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 157: The Mage and the Prince (Ash)

(real tale: The Magician and the Sultan)

"There was once a king who had three sons, and no one seemed to be able to teach them anything; which greatly grieved both the king and the queen." Ash begins. "One day, a mage came to the palace and made the king an offer--if he took them in and made great scholars of them, he would receive something in return."

"What did the king say?" Misty asks, interested.

"The king first offered to give the mage half of his property, but the mage said no." Ash replies. "Half the towns in the kingdom didn't cut it either--the mage offered that when he brought the boys back, the king would choose two to stay with him, and the third would be the mage's servant.”

"I have a bad feeling about this..." Brock is worried for the princes.

"So the mage took the three princes,and taught them all manner of things. When the mage brought them back, the king took the two elder ones, and the mage took the third--we'll call him Takuya to his own house." Ash continues, "When they arrived, the mage--we'll call him Moli--gave Takuya all the keys, saying that he was going on a month long journey, and that he was free to explore wherever he wanted."

"Except for one forbidden room, right?" Melody wonders.

"Takuya took the keys and went to explore the house." Ash continues. "One room was full of liquid gold. He stuck his finger in, and the gold stuck to it, and, despite his attempt to rub it off, the gold would not come off; so he wrapped a rag around it. When Moli came home and saw the rag, and asked him just what he had done to his finger, he was afraid to tell him the truth, so he said that he had cut it."

[And then?] Korra asks.

"Some months passed, and Moli left on another journey." Ash replies "Takuya took the keys and continued his exploring. In six rooms, he saw tons of Pokemon bones of all types, but in the seventh was a live Rapidash that could speak!"

"What did it say?" Misty is piqued.

"It first asked who he was and where he came from, and Takuya told the Rapidash everything." Ash explains. "The Rapidash told Takuya that Moli got his power from eating any form of living being--and that the Rapidash and were the only living things left."

Brock swallows hard at this. "Naturally, this scared the daylights out of Takuya, and asked the Rapidash what to do. "The Rapidash--who was named Akane--first told Takuya to unfasten her. Once he did that, Akane told him to open the door of the room with the gold in it, and she would swallow it all. Then, she would go and wait for him under the big tree that stood down the road. She told him that when Moli came home, he would ask Takuya to go get firewood, and Takuya was to say that he didn't understand that work, and he would go by himself. When he returned, he would put a great big pot on the hook and tell Takuya to make a fire under it. Takuya was to tell him he didn't know how to make a fire, and he would make it himself."

"Talk about an elaborate plan..." Misty mused.

"Then Moli would bring a large quantity of butter, and while it was getting hot he would put up a swing and tell him to climb in." Ash continues. "Takuya was to tell him he had never played that game before, and ask for him to swing first, that he could see how it was done. Then he would get up to show him; and Takuya would then push him into the big pot, and then come to her as quickly as he could."

[Did it work?] Mai has her doubts on how such an elaborate plan would work.

"Moli returned, and everything happened as Akane had said." Ash replies. "He gave Moli a push right into the big pot; and as the butter was by this time boiling, it not only killed him, but cooked him too. Takuya then ran as fast as he could to the big tree, where Akane was waiting for him, and they rode away as fast as they could."

He concludes "It is said they continue riding throughout the world seeking adventure--but that is another story for another day!"

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 158: The Mint Warriors (Brock)

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 58, story 1)

"A long time ago in a land far away, many people lost their lives and homes in a great war." Brock begins. "But one village had a problem of its own--arrogant warriors kept stealing all the crops in the fields."

Intrigued murmurs fill the tent as Brock goes on "One night, as a certain man and his wife had dinner, a knock came at the door." He knocks on a rock for effect,to some giggles. "The village elder was at the door, and he was dealing with a massive stomachache, so he hadn't eaten a thing all day."

Everyone laughs at Brock clutching his stomach in a feigned stomachache, as if he is the elder in pain. "After a bit of a struggle to get him to eat some mint to cure his stomachache, the elder was cured. The man explained that with everything else in short supply, they, like many others, had to eat mint all day, but at least they hadn't been sick in some time."

"Wow!" Ash is impressed.

"Now we know why stomachache medicine in traditionally mint flavored." Misty agrees.

Brock just continues "Inspired, the elder ate two mint leaves every day, and grew and shared his own mint with the townsfolk. However, there was still the matter of rogue warriors attacking towns and stealing food and other items."

"Ooh"s fill the air at this. "One night, a gang of rogue warriors snuck into the elder's house, believing there was riches to be had." Brock intones. "They refused to believe the elder when he said all he had was mint, and threatened to kill him."

Melody gasps, but Brock just grins--his favorite part of the tale is coming up! "As they went off to search the house for valuables, they were suddenly rebuffed by what they thought were two mint plants in warrior's garb! No matter how many times the rogues cut the mint warriors, more leaves kept growing back. Terrified, the rogues fled into the night empty handed."

"I would too if the plant I was cutting kept growing back leaves." Misty smiles.

Brock explains "It turned out the mint warriors were Celebi and Shaymin in disguise. When the elder saw all the mint leaves on the floor, he offered to clean it up and offer it as thanks to Arceus. Shaymin explained that while Arceus would appreciate the sacrifice, the mint warriors they were disguised as were practically invincible thanks to mint's parasitic nature."

"That's right--when you plant mint, you have to give it its own pot, or it will choke the other plants." Ash notes.

"Celebi added that the elder keep some of the cut mint for himself and brew a little tea with it." Brock continues.

He concludes "Needless to say, that town was not bothered by bandits again, and the townsfolk to this day plant mint as thanks for Celebi and Shaymin protecting them."

"I'm sure that town smells very sweet in the spring..." Melody sighs dreamily.