Tale 39: Tricking a Salamence (Brock)

(real tale: How the Dragon Was Tricked)


"There was once a man who had two sons." Brock begins. "They did not get along at all, as the younger boy was kind, brave, and handsome." He catches himself when he remembers the boy has not been named. "We'll call him Akira."

"Sounds like Cinderella..." Misty notes.

"The elder boy's jealousy grew worse and worse as the years went by, until one day, he tied Akira to a tree and left him there to die." Brock continues. Melody gasps in horror, but Brock quickly assures her "As Akira thought about how to get free, an old shepherd passed that way and asked what he was doing there. Akira told the shepherd he had been tied there in an attempt to cure a slight curve in his spine. The shepherd was amazed, and asked if he could take Akira's place. Needless to say, Akira was long gone by the time the old shepherd figured out he had been had!"

Ash's laughter is the loudest at this. "Akira was soon renowned for being a trickster, and word of his wiles soon reached the royal ears of the king." Brock continues. "The king summoned Akira and told him that he deserved to die for his tricks, but would spare him if he retrieved a Shiny Ponyta that was guarded by a Salamence."

Melody swallows hard at this. "So Akira went out to the Salamence's cave, carefully untied it from its post, and led it back to the palace, all while the Salamence was asleep." Brock continues. "The king was pleased at this, but then he told Akira he wanted the enchanted blanket the Salamence kept. So Akira climbed on top of the cave and attempted to bring up the blanket through the roof. However, the Salamence heard the little bells on the blanket, and caught Akira!"

"And then?" Ash is excited.

"Just as the Salamence sharpened the knife to kill him, Akira kicked him hard enough to stun him, cut himself free, and hurried away." Brock continues. "Then the king commanded Akira to bring him the Salamence himself. So Akira disguised himself as a traveler, and returned to the Salamence's cave, where he found the Salamence carving a box. When told it was for the rogue that stole the blanket and the Ponyta, Akira told the Salamence that the box was too small. The Salamence decided to climb inside it, and Akira nailed the sides of the box shut so the Salamence couldn't escape."

"Then was Akira set free?" Misty asks.

"The king was so excited, he tried peeking inside the box to see if the Salamence really was inside--and the Salamence ate him right there." Brock concludes. "Akira took the princess as a bride, and they ruled happily for a long time. As for the Salamence, no one knows what became of him!"

Melody's applause is the loudest as Brock takes a bow..