A Threesome's Tales

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 72: The Haunted Forest (Brock)


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I think Nico killed it!" Ash declares.

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

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