A Threesome's Tales

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 31: Langston, Brad, and Keane (Ash)

(real tale: Long, Broad, and Quickeye)

"There was once a king who had a son he loved very much--we'll call the prince Luke." Ash begins. "Luke's father wanted very much to see Luke take a bride before he died. Luke wanted very much to please his father, but as there were many beautiful girls in the land, he didn't know which one to choose. Luke's father took him into the royal gallery, where many portraits of princesses hung."

"Pi..." Happini sighs dreamily at what the princess portraits may have looked like.

"There were many fine portraits in the gallery, but Luke noticed one princess that was not smiling, and told his father that was the princess he wanted to marry." Ash continues. "His father warned him that that princess, who we'll call Morgan, was being held captive in the castle of an evil wizard, who we'll call Arion. Many had tried to infiltrate Arion's castle, but none had returned. If someone could make the three enchanted jewels on Arion's belt glow, Princess Morgan would be freed."

Pikachu swallows hard at this. "Pika pika chu?" he asks.

"Prince Luke left with his father's blessings early the next morning, and it wasn't long before he got horribly lost in a forest." Ash replies.

"Did his servant read the map wrong?" Misty asks as she flashes a wry smile at Brock. Brock just chuckles as he remembers all the times they have gotten lost.

"Actually, Prince Luke was by himself." Ash interjects. "He befriended a man named Langston who had remarkable agility--he could stretch himself in all directions, and used his agility to find the way out of the forest. Prince Luke was touched by Langston's kindness, and offered for him to enter his service. Langston agreed to help Luke on his quest."

"Who else did Prince Luke meet?" Misty is interested.

"Langston introduced two of his friends to Prince Luke." Ash explains. "One was Brad, who could inhale anything in a single deep breath..."

"Pini!" Happini smiles.

"Yeah, like Kirby." Ash smiles. "The second was Keane, who could see things no average human could see."

"Azu..." Azurill is amazed at the prince's party.

"It was nightfall when Prince Luke and his party arrived at Arion's castle. There were all manner of stone statues of previous knights and adventurers that had tried to save Princess Morgan lining the halls." Ash continues. "Arion met them in the great hall. Sure enough, a jewel studded belt was around his waist, and a ruby, a sapphire, and an emerald were the biggest stones on it. Arion told Prince Luke that he could have Princess Morgan if he could keep her from escaping for three nights. If he failed, he and his party would be turned to stone."

"And then?" Brock is interested now.

"Prince Luke fell madly in love with Princess Morgan, and the two spent a quiet evening together. After bidding Langston, Brad, and Keane to keep an eye on Princess Morgan, Luke went to bed."

"Pika pika?" Pikachu asks, eager to know what happens next.

"The next morning, Prince Luke saw Princess Morgan was gone. Keane informed him that Princess Morgan had learned a little magic herself, and was hidden in a forest a hundred miles away, disguised as an acorn." Ash assures Pikachu. "So with Langston's help, they brought the princess back. When Arion returned and saw the princess, the ruby on his belt glowed with his anger."

"What did he see the second day?" Misty is curious to know more about the castle.

"He saw servants, maids, ladies, minstrels, and Pokemon, all frozen in stone." Ash explained. "The party spent another pleasant evening together, but the next morning, Princess Morgan was gone."

"Which way did she go, Ash? Which way did she go?" Brock asks in character as a cartoon character.

Happini laughs when she recognizes who Brock is mimicking, but Azurill is confused. "Azu?"

"Remember that one Bugs Buneary and Daffy Golduck cartoon with the abominable snowman?" Misty asks Azurill. Azurill thinks a moment, but bursts out laughing herself when she puts two and two together.

Ash is also laughing at Brock's in character request, but eventually composes himself. "Keane saw that two hundred miles away was a mountain, and Princess Morgan was hidden inside as a diamond. So he and Langston brought her back, and the sapphire in Arion's belt began to glow in his sadness of losing Princess Morgan."

Brock then interrupts the story. "The reason I pulled the 'which way did he go, George' gag on you was to see how well you could stay focused among distractions. For a minute there, I thought you were not going to be able to go on, but you pulled yourself together and kept going--well done."

Remember to focus... Ash reminds himself as he continues. "The third day, Keane told Prince Luke that Princess Morgan has disguised herself as a pearl at the bottom of a great sea three hundred miles to the west. So Brad and Langston went out to retrieve the pearl."

"Pika?" Pikachu's eyes shine in anticipation of what happens next.

"Brad swallowed the sea, which allowed Langston to retrieve the pearl." Ash tells Pikachu. "The emerald in Arion's belt glowed when he saw Princess Morgan, and he was so consumed in his emotions, he exploded in a flash of light, restoring the castle and the people and Pokemon in it to life!"

"Azu!!!!" Azurill cheers.

"Prince Luke and his party led Princess Morgan to his homeland, where they were soon married. The prince said his goodbyes to his party a week later when all the festivities ended, but they kept in touch." Ash concludes. "As for Langston, Brad, and Keane, they told Prince Luke and Princess Morgan of their many adventures in their letters--but that is another story for another day!"

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 32: The Buneary Herder (Brock)

(real tale: Jesper, Who Herded the Hares)


Ash nudges Melody awake as Brock begins "In a far away land, there was a small kingdom on the plains, ruled by a kind and just king. He only had one child--a daughter named Andrea. He loved Andrea very much, but often laid awake at night wondering what sort of husband Andrea would want when she was of age to marry."

"Hm, what's Princess Andrea like?" Misty muses.

"You'll see, okay?" Melody assures her.

"When Princess Andrea came of age, her father issued a proclamation throughout his kingdom and the neighboring kingdoms." Brock continues. "Whoever could bring a rainbow of pearls and complete certain challenges devised by the princess would have her hand in marriage. Many a rich merchant, adventurer, and prince came to the castle, but though they had a rainbow of pearls, not one could pass the trials the princess devised. A few adventurers tried to pull a fast one by offering the king some fake pearls, but the king and Princess Andrea were not that easily fooled. Before long, the number of would be suitors trickled off."

"Then who did she marry?" Ash wonders.

"I'm getting to that." Brock assures Ash. "Now, in a certain village by the coast lived a fisherman who had three sons--the youngest of which was named Todd. Todd's brothers were fully grown, but Todd himself had just come of age that year. One day, the fisherman found a lot of Clamperls and Shellders with pearls inside. Todd and his brothers heard that the king was seeking a suitor for Princess Andrea, and decided to see if any of them was worthy of her hand. So they each gathered a pearl in every color, and agreed to set out for the palace in the order of their birth, with the eldest brother setting out the next morning."

"Pini pini?" Happini asks.

"The eldest brother had not gotten far when he saw some Durants and some Ledybas battling each other." Brock replies.

Pikachu snaps to attention, interested in the prospect of a battle. "The Durant queen begged the eldest brother to help her, but the eldest brother refused. Then he met a female mage on the road, who asked what he was carrying. The eldest brother had no idea the woman before him was a mage, and so he said he was carrying cinders. The mage cast a spell to turn the eldest brother's pearls to cinders, much to his horror when he arrived at the palace!"

Laughter fills the air. "The next day, the middle brother set out, and the same thing happened." Brock continues. "He refused to help the Durant queen against the Ledybas, and lied to the mage, saying he was carrying ashes. The mage then turned the pearls into ashes, much to the middle brother's horror when he got to the palace!"

More laughter goes up as the group pictures the middle brother's reaction. "Finally, it was Todd's turn." Brock waits for the laughter to quiet, then continues. "When the Durant queen asked for his help, he caught as many Ledybas he could in a net. The remaining Ledybas fled, and the Durant queen promised to help Todd."

"Then Todd met the mage, who asked what he was carrying." Brock continues. "Todd showed the mage his pearls, and shared his lunch with her as he told her about what he was going to do with them." He shows the audience a blue prop pearl. "The mage was touched by Todd's kindness, and gave him a magic whistle as thanks."

Ash finds his whistle again as Brock goes on. "The royal court was amazed when they saw Todd's pearls, and he was welcomed like a prince. The queen, however, was concerned that Todd was a mere commoner; but Princess Andrea assured her mother that she didn't care for a suitor's riches--if they brought a rainbow of pearls and completed her challenges, she would marry them all the same."

"So what did Todd have to do?" Melody asks.

"The next day, the king brought Todd out to a field where a large pile of wheat, barley, oats, and rye stood, and challenged him to separate the one pile into four piles, one of each grain." Brock continues. "As Todd was wondering how to do this, he fell asleep. The Durant queen came with some Durants while Todd slept, and organized the four piles. When the king came to check on him at sunset, he was stunned that Todd had managed to complete the challenge."

"The next day, the king left a hundred Bunearies in Todd's care, telling him if even one was missing at the end of the day, he would fail." Brock intones. "The Bunearies quickly scattered in all directions, and Todd could hardly keep up with all of them. But then he remembered the magic whistle the mage had given him, and decided to play it to see what would happen." Ash decides to play the Zelda whistle song for effect.

"Azu?" Azurill immediately recognizes the melody.

"I don't see any whirlwinds..." Misty assures Azurill.

"No sooner had the whistle's song faded away, the Bunearies came hopping back to his side. Princess Andrea was surprised when Todd returned with the Bunearies, and requested he repeat the challenge for two more days.

The next day, Princess Andrea came to Todd in disguise as a peasant girl and asked for one of the Bunearies. Todd agreed in return for a kiss." Brock continues. "But at the end of the day, when he used the whistle to call back the Bunearies..." Ash plays the Zelda whistle theme again. "even the one Todd gave away came hopping back."

"Amazing!" Melody is impressed.

"On the third day the queen came to Todd disguised as a huntress, saying she wanted a Buneary to serve a guest for dinner." Brock continues. "Todd agreed--if the huntress would tiptoe in a circle while looking up at the sky and clucking like a Combusken."

The group howls with laughter as they picture how silly the disguised queen looks. "The queen was unsure, and knew people would think she'd gone nuts, but did what Todd asked of her anyway." Brock continues. "But at the end of the day, when he used the whistle to call back the Bunearies..." Ash plays the Zelda whistle theme again. "even the one Todd gave away came hopping back."

"Azu azu?" Azurill asks.

Brock concludes "When the king heard of how clever Todd was, and how Princess Andrea seemed to like him, he concluded Todd was the best choice, and the two of them were soon married. When it came time for Todd to ascend the throne, he ruled with the same wisdom and cunning as he did when he herded the Bunearies."

Melody leads the applause. "What an interesting tale--you are nothing less than a master!"

"Yeah--Brock could even make the phone book interesting!" Misty agrees.

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 33: The Twin Mages and the Taillows (Misty)

(real tale: Tritill, Litill, and the Birds)

"There was once a princess that was well loved and well liked by everyone in her homeland." Misty begins. "One day, she mysteriously disappeared, leaving her father the king devastated."

"I would be too if I were a king and my princess disappeared...." Brock notes.

"The royal guard searched the whole kingdom from top to bottom, but didn't find her." Misty continues, before it dawns on her that the princess has not been named. "What shall we name this lovely princess?"

"Raya!" Ash suggests.

"Wendy!" Brock suggests.

Both of those are nice names...but which to choose? Misty thinks. After mentally flipping a coin, she goes with Ash's suggestion. "We'll call her Raya."

Ash grins when he hears his name was chosen. "Finally, the king issued a proclamation saying whoever could find Princess Raya and bring her home safely would have her hand in marriage. Many princes and adventurers tried to find Princess Raya, but had no luck."

"But who, or what, took Princess Raya?" Melody worries for Princess Raya's fate.

"I'm getting to that." Misty assures Melody. "In a certain town not far from the palace lived a man and his three sons--the youngest of which was named Andrew. While his brothers lived free wheeling high lives, Andrew was quiet, kind, brave, and unselfish."

"How sweet..." Melody smiles.

"One day the eldest brother decided to go out into the world and seek his fortune." Misty continues. "He walked on for a while before stopping to rest for lunch. A fire mage passed by, and asked if he could share his food, but the eldest brother refused."

Melody is shocked that the boy turned away someone in need. "That isn't very nice!"

"He'll get what's coming to him--don't worry." Ash assures Melody.

"A little farther on, the eldest brother stopped for dinner, where a water mage met him on the road." Misty continues. "She too asked him to share some of his food, but the eldest brother refused her. He finally made camp in a cave in the mountains after chasing a flock of Taillows away, not knowing it belonged to a terrifying ogre!"

The Pokemon gasp at this. "Pi ha pipi?" Happini asks.

"When the ogre found the eldest brother, he allowed him to sleep in the cave, provided he spend a day in his service in return." Misty explains. "The boy agreed, and in the morning, the ogre told the eldest brother to sweep the dust from the cave, and have it spotless by nightfall, or else. The eldest brother had never worked a day in his life, but did what he could. The ogre was mad when he saw the cave all dusty, and killed the eldest brother right there."

"Serves him right for not helping those mages and the Taillows before." Melody muses. "They could have helped him."

"Back at the house, the middle brother heard of his brother's fate, and vowed to go out into the world to seek his fortune in his brother's stead." Misty continues. "But the same thing happened to him--he refused to share his food with the two mages, chased away the Taillows, discovered the ogre's cave, where he too met his demise."

"So what about Andrew?" Ash is interested.

"Andrew vowed not to repeat his brothers' fatal mistakes as he went out into the world to seek his fortune." Misty assures Ash. "When he met the fire mage at lunch time, he gladly shared his food with him. The fire mage was touched by Andrew's kindness, and introduced himself as Aidan. Aidan taught Andrew a special song to call him if he needed help. When he met the water mage, he shared his food with her. The water mage introduced herself as Talise, and she too taught Andrew a song to call her should he need help. He also shared his food with the Taillows, and the Swellow in charge of the flock was so touched by Andrew's kindness, he taught him a song to call the flock should he need help."

"Remember those songs..." Melody reminds the boys. Ash and Brock nod.

"Andrew also found the ogre's cave, and seeing where his brothers had fallen gave him more resolve to not repeat their mistakes." Misty continued. "It wasn't long before Andrew was discovered by the ogre, and he too was tasked with sweeping the floor the next morning."

"Azu?" Azurill gasps, excited.

"Andrew worked hard all day, but the floor was nowhere near clean." Misty continued. "Finally, he leaned on his broom and sang the song to call Aidan..." She then sings Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

The Pokemon cheer when they hear the song. "Aidan appeared in a flash of fire, and consumed all the dust in a ball of flame." Misty continues. "The ogre was pleased to see the clean floor, and gave Andrew extra dessert in return for another day of service."

"To which Andrew agreed, right?" Brock asks. Misty nods.

"I'd do anything for extra dessert!" Ash agreed.

Misty just ignores the comment. "On the second day, the ogre asked him to stuff his pillows--and if even one feather was missing, he would have his head. At first, the task was easy as Andrew threw out the old feathers, but before he could put fresh feathers in, a breeze came up that blew all the fresh feathers away!"

"Oh no!" Melody gasps.

"Andrew's first thought was to panic, but then he remembered the song the Swellow taught him..." Misty then sings Karuto, iichiida shou...

"Pika pi? Pika pika?" Pikachu asks.

"Sure enough, the Taillows came and rounded up every last fresh feather so Andrew could finish his chore. The ogre was pleased, and offered Andrew three rewards and to let him go on his way in return for another day of service." Misty continues. "On the third day, the ogre took Andrew to his fields, and told him to kill one of the Tauros there for dinner that night. He had a very specific Tauros in mind, and if Andrew killed the wrong one, it would be his life in exchange."

Brock swallows hard as Misty continues. "As soon as the ogre had left, Andrew sang the song that summoned Talise..." She then sings Rou iitsa ron selga vichii...

Once sure everyone is listening, she continues. "Talise appeared in a flash of blue light, and brought the Tauros the ogre wanted prepared to Andrew on a wave of water. She told him that when the ogre asked him what he wanted for his three rewards, he was to ask for what lay beneath the cave, what lay under the bed, and what lay on top of the bed."

"I have a sneaking suspicion I know what one of those things is..." Brock muses.

"The orge returned, and although he had his doubts how Andrew could've been done so fast, he decided to give Andrew the benefit of the doubt." Misty continues. "When he asked what he wanted for his rewards, Andrew asked for what lay beneath the cave, what lay under the bed, and what lay on top of the bed."

"What were those items?" Ash is curious.

"What lay beneath the cave was a ship that could sail on wind as effortlessly as it did water...." Misty replied. "What lay under the bed was a large chest filled with gold and jewels...and what lay on top of the bed was Princess Raya!"

"YESSS!!!!" Brock cries when he hears his prediction confirmed.

"Andrew loaded the chest of jewels and gold aboard the ship, and flew for the palace with Princess Raya in tow." Misty concludes. "Her father was stunned to see Princess Raya alive, and they were married the next day. But Andrew never forgot the songs to call the mages and the Tailows, and always sang them when he was in trouble."

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 34: The Children of the Trees (Ash)

(real tale: Asmund and Signy)

"There was once a king that ruled over a faraway land." Ash begins. He had a wife he loved very much, plus two children--a boy named Rowan and a girl named Amber."

"What pretty names!" Melody smiles.

"Prince Rowan and Princess Amber were taught well in all manner of things, so they would grow up to be wise and clever rulers." Ash continues. "Prince Rowan especially loved the outdoors, and after some begging and pleading, convinced his father to buy him two trees large enough for a person to fit inside. Once they were planted, he asked his sister if she would like one of the trees as her own tree house. Princess Amber loved the idea, and she and her brother spent hours moving their things in and decorating their trees. Whenever the palace got chaotic, they could travel to their tree houses for some peace and quiet."

Brock sighs with nostalgia as he pictures what the two tree houses might have looked like. "Forget a house IN the tree, I bet these were houses made FROM the tree."

"They were." Ash assures his friend. "Life was grand for the two of them for many years, but then things took a turn for the worse just as they both came of age--their father had to go to war to defend their homeland, and while he was away on the battlefield, their mother caught a horrible disease. Despite her children's and the royal healer's best efforts, she succumbed a few months later. The prince and the princess were overwhelmed by sadness and fear, and retreated to their tree houses. They agreed they would not come out until their father had returned."

Pikachu sniffles as he brushes away a tear. "Meanwhile, in another kingdom lived a king who had a son he loved very much--we'll call the son Jonathan." Ash continues. "Jonathan had heard about Princess Amber, and decided she was the one he would marry. With his father's blessing, he set sail for the land where Princess Amber lived."

"And then?" Misty is interested.

"He didn't count on a witch meeting him in the guise of Princess Amber." Ash intones. "Prince Jonathan fell hook, line, and sinker for the witch's trick, believing she was Princess Amber."

"Oh no!" Melody shakes in fear at what will happen to Prince Jonathan.

"The witch dug up the two tree houses containing Prince Rowan and the real Princess Amber and took them with her to Jonathan's homeland, believing them to be two normal trees." Ash continues. "The fake Princess Amber was welcomed and given a little house of her own, where she planted the tree houses."

"But what about the real Princess Amber and her brother?" Brock is concerned.

"They saw all of this from the tree houses, and they watched as the witch ranted and raved about having to make her own wedding gown--since she had no idea how to sew." Ash continues. "Prince Rowan wanted to warn Prince Jonathan about the trap he was about to fall for, but wasn't sure how to go about it."

"So what did he do?" Misty asks.

"He asked his sister to make a wedding gown for the fake Princess Amber, and have Prince Jonathan go with him when he delivered it to the witch." Ash explains. "So the real Princess Amber went to work, and Prince Jonathan went with Prince Rowan to deliver the wedding gown a week later."

"Pini?" Happini asks.

"Prince Jonathan was shocked when he heard the witch plotting to kill him, Rowan, Amber, and the court, and take the castle for herself." Ash continues. "He ordered the house burned to the ground, and the witch was killed in the fire."

"Pika!" Pikachu is relieved the heroes will be all right.

"Prince Rowan showed Prince Jonathan the real Princess Amber, and the two of them fell in love." Ash concludes. "Prince Rowan found a bride of his own a few days later, so both weddings were celebrated together. Both couples remained very close friends, and often visited each other. They all lived happily ever after, never forgetting the tree houses that brought them together."

"Aw..." Brock smiles as he applauds.

"Ha pini...." Happini agrees, eager to hear what her "daddy" will tell next...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 35: The Patient Prince (Brock)

(real tale: He Wins Who Waits)

"There was once a king who had a daughter he loved very much--we'll call her Christa." Brock begins. "Princess Christa had been spoiled rotten ever since she was born, and was as crafty and wise as she was beautiful."

"Uh oh..." Misty wonders if the story will play out like "Brave"--minus the Ursarings.

Brock has other ideas. "By the time Princess Christa was of age to marry, she didn't want a thing to do with all the would be suitors that came to call every day. She the declared she would be choosing her own husband, thank you very much."

Ash's giggles are the loudest at this. "Why not just call her Merida?"

"That name's taken!" Misty hisses.

"Besides, I have a reason why I named her Christa." Brock assures his audience. " Anyway, her father had learned long ago that once Princess Christa had made up her mind, she would not take no for an answer. So he asked her what she wanted to do to choose a husband. Princess Christa showed her father a gold Leppa Berry, and said..."

Misty decides to jump in the role of Princess Christa. "Summon all the young men in the land to come here on this day next month. The one I give this Leppa Berry to will be my husband."

"But, sweetheart--!" Brock protests in character as the king.

"I SAID WHOEVER I GIVE THIS LEPPA BERRY TO WILL BE MY HUSBAND!!!!" Misty roars in reply as Princess Christa, making Ash and the Pokemon laugh and applaud at the interplay.

"Nice job, there..." Brock sheepishly replies before he remembers where he is in the tale. "A month went by, and all the young men of the land assembled at the palace gate. The princess passed before them all--short and tall, fat, and thin, rich and poor, until she finally gave the Leppa Berry to a poor widow's son--we'll call him Justin."

"I bet the king was mad..." Ash muses.

"Not so much mad as confused--he asked Princess Christa to pass through the rows a second time, and then a third, before reluctantly allowing her to marry Justin." Brock continues. "Christa was well versed in sewing and building things to sell, but despite everyone's efforts, Justin's family grew poorer still. Justin offered to go into town in search of work. He happened upon a merchant's caravan, and offered to come on board as a servant. The merchant agreed, and gave him a thousand gold pieces up front."

"Pini pi?" Happini asks.

"He would receive the rest of his wages when the caravan reached its ultimate destination." Brock explains. "Before he left, Princess Christa gave him three words of advice--"The one the heart loves is the most beautiful", "Patience is the first step on the road to happiness" and "He who waits, wins"

"There's not a fourth word of wisdom?" Ash is confused.

"There's only three in this version." Brock concedes. "The caravan left early the next day, and while the journey was pleasant at first, it wasn't too long before the Ponytas and the Ponytas were all dying of thirst from the hot sun. Justin saw a pool of water inside a cave, but as he was drawing water, a ghost appeared and asked which of two children--a boy and a girl--were the nicest looking."

"The one the heart loves is the most beautiful." Ash replies.

"Justin told the ghost this answer, and it transformed into a man. He gave Justin a ruby, a diamond, and an emerald as thanks for setting him free from an evil wizard's curse." Brock continues. "Justin sent the jewels home, and Princess Christa used them to buy food, shelter and clothing, so Justin's mom didn't need to worry about food or money again."

"How sweet..." Misty smiles.

"The caravan reached its ultimate destination, and Justin received the remainder of his wages." Brock continues. "Justin wanted to return to his beloved Christa, but the merchant's wife had grown fond of him, and pleaded with him to stay. Justin remembered what Christa had said before..."

"Patience is the first step on the road to happiness." Ash repeats.

"Good! You've been paying attention." Misty smiles.

"How can I NOT pay attention when Brock is the one telling?" Ash replies.

"Anyway, Justin agreed to stay with the merchant and his family for a year." Brock continues. "Meanwhile, other men were getting word of Princess Christa's wisdom and beauty, and many of them came to the house as would be suitors. But Princess Christa kept refusing them, saying she still had hope Justin would return. When the year was up and Justin returned home, his first thought was to kill all the suitors crowded around Princess Christa. But then he remembered Princess Christa's advice..."

"He who waits. wins." Ash replies.

"Justin waited until all the men had left before showing himself to Princess Christa." Brock concludes. "Needless to say, Christa was overjoyed to see him. A year later, they had a child of their own. But Justin was the happiest of all when the boy was born--he had waited, and he had won."

"Aw, how sweet..." Melody smiles as she leads the applause. "Your heartwarming tales are as good as your adventurous ones!"

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 36: Sorin's Dance (Misty)

(real tale: The Rabbit and the Wolf)


"Now, everyone knows that Sorin is quite the trickster..." Misty hesitantly begins the next tale.

"YES!!!!" Ash cries. Sorin tales were some of Brock's most popular material, and he was curious to hear how Misty would handle a traditional Sorin tale.

Misty senses Ash's enthusiasm and Brock's interest as she continues "And he especially loved playing tricks on ol' Mightyena. Well one day Mightyena decided enough was enough, and he was going to get Sorin back for all those times he tricked him."

Melody giggles in anticipation as Misty continues "So one day, he saw Sorin passing through a field and threatened to cut his ears off. So as he sharpened his knife, Mightyena sang Crer ca welan,
Crer ca welan;
Kayn a yott fiul ree puks yar yos yotrz.
Sicum, sicum, sicum, sicum,
Sicum, se mi su!

Brock applauds Misty's gibberish song. "When Mightyena got to the part about 'Sicum, sicum, sicum, sicum, sicum, se mi su', Sorin could almost feel the sharp knife cutting off his ears. But he was a brave little Pikachu, and didn't say anything as Mightyena kept on singing and sharpening the knife." Misty continues, acknowledging Brock's signal to not rush with a nod. "Mightyena stopped singing for a moment, and Sorin called..." In a slightly higher pitched version of her own voice, she calls "Hey, Mightyena! Wanna see a new dance I learned?"

"A new dance?" she asks in a lower voice for Mightyena. "Will you teach it to me?"

"Only if you don't cut off my ears." she replies as Sorin. The interplay continues for a while:

"Is it as beautiful as a jig?"

"Yes, very pretty."

"Is it as beautiful as a waltz?"

"Yes, just as beautiful."

"Is it as pretty as a reel?"

"Yes, just as pretty."

Ash grabs his whistle and Brock reaches for his guitar as Misty continues as herself "Mightyena kept asking if the new dance was prettier than other dances he had seen, and Sorin kept saying it was. Not only that, but the Spring Festival was also coming, and Mightyena was eager to learn a new dance to impress the other Pokemon."

"We're gonna play 'The Ring of Light' at the proper time." Ash whispers to Melody. Melody nods and waits for Misty to get to the part where Sorin teaches Mightyena the dance.

"Mightyena forgot all about cutting off Sorin's ears and begged him to teach him the dance." Misty continued as she digs an egg shaker from her back pocket. "Sorin quickly made a shaker from an eggshell and gave it to Mightyena, instructing him to keep time with it as he danced. "So Mightyena obediently kept time..." Misty starts shaking the shaker at a skipping pace as she dances around the circle herself. "and Sorin danced around him singing..." As Sorin, she sings. Crer ca nenfa yolauwr wa gier,
Crer ca nenfa yolauwr wa gier,
Hi, ri yu, iliyo!
Hi, ri yu, iliyo!

Ash and Brock join in with 'The Ring of Light' in time to Misty's shaker. Melody doubles the guitar an octave above as she scats the tune. They play the complete tune through three times as Misty dances around the circle and the Pokemon clap along.

When the song ends, Misty continues "Then Sorin made a ring around the field, and told Mightyena to join in singing and dancing with him. They danced so fast and for so long, Mightyena had no idea Sorin was nearing the edge of the field. Sorin, meanwhile, sang..." As Sorin again, she sings Fror a nenfa yan wa ela yamb wa gier,
Fror a nenfa yan wa ela yamb wa gier,
Hi, ri yu, iliyo!
Hi, ri, yu, iliyo!

Ash, Brock and Melody perform 'The Ring of Light' at a slightly faster tempo and Misty dances slightly faster, still shaking the shaker in time to the faster tempo as the tune is again played through three times. The Pokemon are enthralled by the song and the dancing, and eagerly clap along.

Misty then concludes. "By the time Mightyena came to his senses, Sorin had disappeared into the brush and he was far too dizzy to chase him. Sorin, meanwhile, was glad his ears were in one piece!"

The Pokemon enthusiastically applaud. "I haven't heard that Sorin tale before--I'll have to remember it for my next gig." Brock smiles.

"And thank you for giving me a little music, guys." Misty replies.

"Well, the story was about a dance, so it was only fair that Sorin get a little music to dance to." Melody assures Misty as the boys put away their instruments...

(what the boys and Melody perform)

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 37: The Marvelous Painting (Ash)


Ash thinks for a moment for a story to tell. "What's the name of the trickster girl you usually tell about when you are playing Flynn Devine, again?" he asks Brock.

"Rava Athamur?" Brock asks. "What about her?"

"May I try making up a tale about her?" Ash asks.

"Fire away." Brock smiles. "Do well and I may include the tale in my next performance as Flynn."

"Who's Flynn Devine?" Melody is confused.

"Brock is a superb actor, and has all these characters he portrays in sketches and storytelling." Ash explains. One of these characters is Flynn Devine, a wandering minstrel famed for his cunning and way with words."

"One of the recurring characters in Flynn's tales is Rava Athamur, a young lady trickster." Brock explains. "The stories about her I tell are fan favorites." He motions for Ash to begin. "Go ahead, Ash."

"Once Rava was traveling through a town, and picked up tips on how to paint from the local artists. "Rava didn't mind that you needed years of practice to become a great artist--she announced to one and all she was a great artist. The king of the land heard of this, and although he knew very well about Rava's wiles, he allowed her to paint some of the nobility at the palace."

Misty snickers in anticipation at this. "Many at the court, despite their ugly appearances, told Rava to paint them as heroes, gods, and goddesses. One duke, though he was as fat as a Snorlax, told Rava to paint him as a strong and muscular warrior." Ash continues. "An ugly duchess--so ugly a Mismagius would've been prettier--told Rava to paint her as a beautiful goddess. A lady with pronounced buck teeth asked for a pop idol's smile, and the list went on and on."

Melody's laughter is the loudest as she pictures how ugly the king's court looks. "When Rava had seen the entire court, the king warned her to paint them just as they were, flaws and all, or else. This posed a dillema for Rava--if she didn't paint the court as their idealized selves, they'd have her head; and if she didn't paint them just as they were, flaws and all, the king would have her head." Ash explains. "So how was she going to paint them?"

"Paint them half and half?" Brock guesses. Misty stifles a giggle at what such a portrait would look like.

"How did she paint them?" Melody is piqued as to what happened next.

"Rava agreed to the king's request, and was given a fine room to work in and enough food for a month." Ash continues. "But she did not allow anyone inside, but would occasionally ask for new paint or new brushes to keep up the ruse that she was working."

The lightbulb goes off in Melody's head. "Oh, I get it! Rava didn't paint anything at all for a month!"

Ash grins--it's time for the twist in his tale. "When the month was up, Rava told the court that the portraits were so amazing, only those with noble blood could see and appreciate them. When she drew back the curtain, all the court could see was a blank wall!"

Brock laughs the hardest as he pictures the court's reaction. "Naturally the court started fighting over how noble they were, or who had common blood in them." Ash concludes. "The king heard the ruckus and demanded an explanation. Rava explained that she had kept her promise by painting exactly as much beauty as the court showed her--which was no beauty at all! The king couldn't argue with that logic, and gave Rava a bag of gold just to get out of there."

"That was pretty clever!" Misty comments as she applauds.

"I'll have to remember this tale for my next Flynn performance." Brock agrees as Ash takes a bow...

(the real tale is based on a Tyl Eulenspiegel tale from the Netherlands with a similar title, which you can find on Google Books)

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 38: The Spellsinging Contest (Melody)


"I've been enjoying hearing the three of you tell your tales and sing your songs, but may I have a chance to tell a story?" Melody asks.

"Really?" Ash is excited to be hearing a story from a Legendary.

"Sure!" Brock smiles as he switches out his guitar for his harp. "I'll even accompany you on the harp, if you want."

Melody clears her throat and motions for Brock to play a relaxed melody. "When the Great Lord Arceus created this world, he left me in charge of singing about great humans and Pokemon. And sing I did--and people and Pokemon from miles around came to listen as I roved from land to land. Ash is only the latest hero I have had the privilege to travel with and protect."

"Mm-hm..." Misty smiles.

"But that is not the tale want to tell." Melody assures the group. "The tale I want to tell you concerns an arrogant young mage who thought he could sing better than me."

"A mage?" Ash is interested.

"This young mage, whose name is only known to Lord Arceus now, was very skilled in spellsongs, and the only one better than him, the people said, was me." Melody continues. "The young mage decided he would challenge me to a spellsinging contest, and defeat me."

"Warning, warning, mistake in progress!" Brock interjects as he plays a two note ostinato that sounds like an alarm bell.

Melody just smiles at Brock's quip. "He didn't know that at the time--but he saddled his fastest Rapidash, and traveled for three days to reach Rainbow Plain--my favored spot for performing back then. His arrival was so sudden, it startled me. When I asked who he was and why he had come, he boasted he was going to best me in spellsinging. I accepted his challenge, and asked him what some of the wisest things he knew were. He sang this song...."

Brock begins a mystical melody as Melody sings Etsale daymb cum metsa yea ptrili,
Etsale gilalepa yea mialona.
Litsar yamb Seels yola wyuie yowr cale,
Seaking yoks wa Magikarp yowr Feebas
Halar yamb wa fror spor crir Sawsbuck,
glirfa an wir lewr, wi spor crir Ponytas.
Wir ar koga yamb ce wiaks crilott!

Ash and Misty applaud Melody's song. "Then, our contest began--it started out simple, I would sing a Pokemon into existence, and he would do the same." Melody continued over a soft chord from Brock. "Then we sang more complex things and Pokemon into existence--rocks, trees, houses, fires, waves." Brock's chords get louder and more complex as Melody lists the items. "By the time we got to very complex items--stars, fireworks, jewels, rainbows--he was growing tired, while I was still eager to sing more." Brock's sweeping chords fill the air, but then taper off to quiet notes.

"So did the young mage ever admit defeat?" Misty asked.

"He finally admitted defeat a few hours later, when he couldn't even muster the strength to sing a blade of grass into existence." Melody concludes over a soft interlude from Brock. "That mage humbled himself, and no one has tried to challenge me again."

"That's because you've been doing it for years." Ash smiles as he applauds.

(the real tale is based on the Finnish legend "Magic Singing", which you can find on Google Books)

[EmeraldSky]

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..

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 40: Robin Hood and Alan-a-dale (Misty)

(real tale: A Story of Robin Hood)

"Are there any legends of humans at all?" Melody asks.

"Well..." Misty replies. "There's the many legends of Robin Hood...which the boys and I have played roles in on stage and on screen."

"And the radio!" Ash adds.

Misty smiles at the memory as Brock retrieves the harp and plays a soft C chord. "Many of these stories talk about how Robin Hood robbed from the rich to feed the poor, but the story I want to tell you is about how Robin Hood met one of his friends--the minstrel Alan-a-dale."

"A minstrel? How exciting!" Melody smiles.

"Sometimes Brock will portray this kind of character when he tells stories in public." Ash adds. "That, and he's played Alan-a-dale before..."

"I remember that!" Brock cries as he plays a mystical melody. Worry not, O lady Marian
For beloved Robin is with you!
Though he may come to you in disguise,
the sheriff and Prince John have not a clue...

"And then I--in the role of Alan-a-dale's apprentice, would translate what Brock sang into a story." Misty continues. "But I'm digressing..." She motions to Brock. "Brock, if you would, please..."

Brock begins a soft melody as Misty starts the story. "One day, as Robin Hood rested under a tree, he saw a young man happily skipping down the road in what he presumed was wedding finery."

The harp then slows down into a somber lament. "But when Robin Hood saw the same young man again the next day, he wasn't so dressed up, and lacked any spring in his step." Misty continues. "The young man introduced himself as Alan-a-dale, and told Robin Hood what had happened--he had been due to marry a lady he loved very much, but at the last minute, her dad had married her off to a rich noble without her consent and his knowing."

"Ha pini pini pi!" Happini gasps, appalled.

"Pika!" Pikachu agrees.

A gentle chord from the harp reassures the Pokemon. "Alan-a-dale offered Robin his service if he could get his lady back." Misty continues. So Robin disguised himself as a minstrel and made his way to the chapel where the wedding was to be. He introduced himself as a minstrel to the priest, and the priest eagerly invited him in to play. But Robin said he wouldn't play until he saw the bride and groom."

"And then?" Melody is interested.

"Robin saw a young girl crying at the sight of an old man in rich finery. He felt sorry for the girl, and whistled for his merry men." Misty continues.

Ash whistles for effect, making Melody and the Pokemon laugh. "Robin's merry men all paraded into the chapel, and Alan-a-dale was among them." Misty continues. "When Robin asked the girl which of them she would rather have, she chose Alan-a-dale."

Brock then sings in character as Alan-a-dale And thus having ended this merry wedding,
The bride looked like a queen:
And so they returned to the merry green wood,
Amongst the leaves so green. as he plays a festive melody.

"Alan-a-dale and his beloved were married right there, and the old noble went home angry." Misty concludes over the harp. "As thanks for Robin's winning back his beloved, he told many stories and sang many songs as minstrel to the merry men."

Ash grins. "Maybe later this week, we can tell you the story about the tournament of the gold arrow!"