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."