A Threesome's Tales

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 41: Saving the Combusken (Ash)

(real tale: The Cock and the Bean)


"Once a Combusken was scratching for food when he accidentally swallowed a bean." Ash begins. "Try as he might, he just couldn't swallow the bean. So he laid down on the ground, in hopes the new position would help the bean along."

"Did he choke?" Melody asks, concerned.

"No, it was just hard for him to swallow." Ash assures Melody. "His trainer, a young girl, saw him lying there and asked what the matter was. The Combusken explained what had happened, and told his master to ask the Miltank for some butter. So the girl went and told the Miltank that her Combusken was struggling to swallow a bean. The Miltank agreed, in return for some fresh hay. So the girl went out to the field where the farm hands were working, and asked them to bring the Miltank some fresh hay, so she could make some butter, so she could help her Combusken that was struggling to swallow a bean."

Brock raises an eyebrow at the tale Ash is telling. "A chain tale?"

"Who wants to bet he forgets half the things in the list?" Misty mutters--she knows Ash has a spotty track record with remembering a list.

"Relax--I've been teaching him some tips to remember a list." Brock assures Misty.

"Why is it called a chain tale?" Melody is curious.

"Because the events of the plot build on each other, like the links in a chain." Brock explains. "The challenge for any storyteller is remembering the list of items."

Melody nods to show she understands. "So what did the farm hands say?" she asks Ash.

"The farm hands had been working all morning, and they were pretty hungry." Ash continued. "So they told the girl to ask the oven for some loaves of bread. So the girl asked the oven for some loaves of bread to feed the farm hands, so they would bring the Miltank some fresh hay, so she could make some butter, so she could help her Combusken swallow a bean. The oven said that he couldn't bake anything without some wood for the fire. So the girl went out to the forest, where some woodcutters were working. She asked them for some wood for the oven, so he could bake some loaves of bread to feed the farm hands, so they would bring the Miltank some fresh hay, so she could make some butter, so she could help her Combusken swallow a bean."

"Pika?" Pikachu is interested in the chain's next link.

"The woodcutter's last axe had broken, so they couldn't cut any wood." Ash replies, making Pikachu facepalm. "So the girl went to the smithy in town, and asked him to make a new axe for the woodcutters..."

"So they could cut some wood for the oven, so he could bake some loaves of bread to feed the farm hands, so they would bring the Miltank some fresh hay, so she could make some butter, so she could help her Combusken swallow a bean." Misty, Brock, and Melody say along with Ash.

"Have you heard this one before?" Ash smiles.

"Actually, the list of items is getting long enough that you may start forgetting things." Melody cautions.

"So we're saying the list along with you to help you remember the items." Brock adds.

Ash nods, then thinks as to where he is in the tale. "The smith agreed, but he had no charcoal for his forge. The girl went out to the forest and burned some sticks into charcoal...." He sighs, and silently prays he can remember the list. "and the smith gave her an axe, so the woodcutters cut some wood for the oven, who then baked some loaves of bread to feed the farm hands, and they brought the Miltank some fresh hay, and she made some butter, which the girl fed to the Combusken in hopes it would help him swallow a bean."

"YESSS!!!!" Misty is stunned Ash remembered the whole list.

"Very good!" Brock agrees as he applauds.

"The Combusken was so relieved to finally swallow the bean, he let out a mighty cry of thanks." Ash concludes. "Needless to say, he was very careful about what he ate after that!"

Brock leads the applause. "Maybe you're ready to try a longer chain tale...."

"Couldn't the girl just given the Combusken the Heimlich maneuver?" Misty is unimpressed that the girl had to go through all that trouble for a bean.

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 42: The Beasts and the Salamence (Brock)


"Once a boy was leading his Miltank to market when Jirachi appeared to him, leading Raikou, Entei, and Suicune behind him." Brock begins. "Jirachi offered to give the boy--who we'll call Hunter--the three Beasts in exchange for the scrawny Miltank. Hunter was bit hesitant at first, but then realized that the Miltank was old, and hardly producing milk any more. So Jirachi gave him the Beasts and a silver whistle to call them if he needed help."

Ash reaches for his whistle as Brock continues "Hunter's mom was none too pleased when she learned what had happened, but before she could beat him, Raikou knocked the belt from her hands."

Melody swallows hard in fear. "Hunter was then banished, but he didn't despair--the three Beasts protected him and brought him food every night." Brock stretches for a moment, then goes on "It wasn't long before he came to a forest filled with all sorts of beasts and Pokemon, and made his home there. "But for some reason, he felt a sickening feeling every time he went in the forest, as if Arceus himself was telling him to be wary."

"So what lurked there in the wood?" Melody asked.

"It turned out a band of giants lived there, and one day while Hunter was away, slipped some poison in the soup he was making for lunch." Brock replies. "But Raikou sensed something was wrong, and overturned the cauldron. Then the giants tried an enchanted chair that froze anyone that sat in it--but Entei destroyed that. They finally decided to catch Hunter themselves."

"And how did they do that?" Misty asks.

"They hid in the house while Hunter was away, and ambushed him." Brock explains. "They tossed him into a pit filled with the bones of other unlucky travelers, and rolled a rock over it so he couldn't get out. But then Hunter remembered the magic whistle!"

Ash plays the Zelda whistle song for effect. "Hunter had only blown a single note before the Beasts arrived to rescue him and slew the giants." Brock continues. "Although the giants were slain, Hunter worried about what other ghastly monsters lurked in the forest, and decided to settle in town. But when he got to town, he saw everyone was saddened. The townsfolk explained that a dark fairy had asked the queen to rear the princess as her own, but the queen refused time and time again. In her anger, the dark fairy sent a Salamence that would only be appeased if young girl of pure heart was sacrificed. The king was offering the princess' hand in marriage if anyone could drive the dark fairy away by defeating the Salamence."

"And then?" Melody is excited.

"Hunter told the king he wished to try and defeat the Salamence. Despite pleas not to do it, he bought himself a sword and set out for the Salamence's cave." Brock replies. "It was a long and drawn out battle, but Hunter summoned Suicune..." Ash plays the Zelda whistle theme again. "and Suicune helped him defeat the Salamence. Hunter cut off a scale as proof of his deed. But while he was out fighting the Salamence, a knight tried to steal Hunter's credit by passing off a Persian skull as a Salamence skull."

"Hap pini pini?" Happini is appalled at this. "Pini pini, ha pini pi!"

"The Beasts knew this too, and dashed into the throne room minutes before the king could declare that the knight and the princess would marry." Brock continues. "Hunter exposed the knight as a fraud, and showed the king his Salamence scale."

"And Hunter and the princess lived happily ever after, right?" Misty smiles.

Brock nods. "Although Hunter kept the whistle with him, just in case he needed the Beasts' help."

(The real tale is based on a French tale called "The Three Dogs and the Dragon", which you can read on Google Books)

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 43: The Legend of the Amber Ampharos (Misty)


"They say that long ago in Johto, the waters nearby Olivine City were not as clean as they are now." Misty begins. "They were bland and salty, and if anyone wanted some clean water, they had to go at least thirty miles."

Ash whistles in awe at this. "An ancient prophecy foretold of a Pokemon that would bring clean water, but it took a brave young man to figure out what it meant."

"You've got me--who was this hero?" Brock is interested.

"This young man--we'll call him Kai--was a stoneworker by trade, and very skilled at his work." Misty explains. If he carved plants, you could feel the ridges in the leaves, and if he carved Pokemon, they looked so realistic, they could come alive at any moment."

"Wow...." Ash is impressed.

"One day, Kai was passing by a river when he saw an orange glint." Misty continues. "After some digging, he found a huge piece of amber in the riverbed. "When he got it home, he worked for a whole week carving it into an Ampharos."

"I bet it looked beautiful." Melody muses.

"That it did, and no sooner had Kai finished carving the last detail of the Ampharos, it came to life!" Misty announces. "The Ampharos thanked Kai for carving it and offered to bring him anything he wanted, provided he not tell anyone about its power. Kai told the Ampharos that all he wanted was for the city to have clean water. "So the Ampharos took a bucket, raced all the way to the clean lake, brought it back, then went all the way back to the lake again. It only took three trips for the Ampharos to supply the city with clean water."

"That's one quick Ampharos..." Brock smiles.

"Then again, Jasmine told us that Ampharos are pretty quick runners." Ash reminds him.

"For several months, the people of Olivine enjoyed a steady supply of fresh water, but only Kai knew how the city received the water every morning." Misty continues. "But then one day, the Ampharos didn't return, and the people grew concerned."

"Oh no..." Melody swallows hard.

"Kai eventually found his amber Ampharos wounded at the bottom of a hill." Misty intones. "The Ampharos told Kai that while he was gathering the day's water, the red Gyarados of the lake had wounded its hoof."

"That's not nice!" Ash is appalled by the red Gyarados' greed.

"Kai carved a new foot for the Ampharos, then took a family heirloom--a rainbow and silver stone named Kokoro-to-Reikon--"heart and soul". Misty explains. "Armed with Kokoro-to-Reikon, Kai set out to avenge his friend."

"So what did the red Gyarados do?" Ash asks, excited.

"Kai demanded that the red Gyarados apologize for hurting his Ampharos, but the Gyarados countered that the humans were stealing all the water." Misty continues.

"Azu azu ri!" Azurill declares.

Misty smiles at Azurill's comment. "That's right--Kai told the red Gyarados that he should share the water with everyone. But instead, the Gyarados used Icy Wind to freeze the lake solid. But Kai called on the power of Kokoro-to-Reikon." She then sings Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul....

Melody swallows hard, but Misty assures her "Kokoro-to-Reikon glowed in many colors, melting the ice in a swirl of rainbow light." Ash sighs dreamily as he pictures the rainbow swirl in his mind. "Then, the Gyarados summoned many demons and undines--water spirits--to try and attack Kai. But Kai invoked Kokoro-to-Reikon again..."

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

"This time, Kokoro-no-Reikon produced a silver fire that destroyed the demons and undines and badly wounded the red Gyarados." Misty continues, acknowledging Melody with a nod. "Fearing for his life, the red Gyarados gave Kai a blue pearl that produced water for as long as someone held it.

She concludes. "From that day on, the people of Olivine enjoyed clean water thanks to the amber Ampharos, and built many charms and statues of an Ampharos holding a pearl, as thanks to the Ampharos and in remembrance of Kai."

"No wonder we saw so many statues of an Ampharos holding a pearl in Olivine..." Ash muses.

"And why you took so long 'shopping' that day...." Brock smiles.

Misty grins. "Yes--I was learning that tale from the shopkeeper!"

(the real tale is an Asian tale called "Golden Chisel and the Stone Ram", which you can find on Google Books)

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 44: Ninetales' and Krabby's Race (Ash)


"It's been said that Ninetales has been somewhat of a fast runner--so much so that she boasted not even the Beasts could outrun her." Ash begins. "This meant she looked down on any Pokemon slower than her."

"That isn't nice!" Melody is appalled at this.

"One of her favorite targets was Krabby." Ash continues. "For a while, Krabby put up with Ninetales' taunts. But as the days wore on, he got more and more annoyed by the taunting, and challenged Ninetales to a race."

"Oh boy!" Misty smiles.

"Krabby figured that Ninetales got her speed from the wind rushing through her tails--so if even one of them was weighed down, he would have a chance at winning!" Ash explains. "So as the two of them planned the race course, Krabby didn't tell Ninetales he was going to grip one of her tails.

"I bet he got cursed..." Melody giggles.

"Bear in mind Ninetales has no idea Krabby is going to do this." Brock reminds her before asking Ash "You were saying?"

"The day of the race came, and both competitors agreed they would start running when Krabby said 'go'." Ash replies. "Whoever made it to the other end of the coast via their planned course, won." Ninetailes was confident she would win, oblivious to the weight on one tail as Krabby called "Three..two...one...GO!"

Melody giggles as she pictures Ninetales' reaction to Krabby on one of her tails. "Ninetales started off at great clip, but she didn't see Krabby hanging on for dear life from one of her tails." Ash continues. "When she reached the finish line an hour later, she was exhausted, which turned into surprise when she saw Krabby.

"Who's laughing now, Ninetales?" Brock smirks.

"Needless to say, Ninetales was very ashamed at how Krabby was able to beat her." Ash concludes. "She didn't boast about her speed for a long time after that--but I don't think she's become any more polite."

"Serves Ninetales right for being boastful like that." Misty smiles as she applauds.

(the real tale is a Chinese tale called "The Fox and the Crab Have a Race", which you can find on Google Books)

[EmeraldSky]

Interlude: Persian on the Run

Thunder rumbled as a Persian dashed through the forest. [Come on!] she coaxed the six little Meowths trailing behind her. She had not counted on the rain being this heavy, and all she wanted was to return to her den.

Just then, a Meowth spotted the group's camp in the distance. [Look, Mama! A human den!]

[Yes, but it's only a temporary human den.] the Persian assured the Meowth. When they weren't trying to catch her fellow Pokemon, the humans often made temporary dens to explore the forest trails. Luckily, most of the humans she'd met were friendly, but now that she had six babies to look after, she was a bit more wary around them.

No Poke Balls, and no weapons. the Persian thought. These must be friendly humans. With that, she motioned for her Meowths to follow her to the largest tent, where she listened to the voices inside.

"Ninetales started off at great clip, but she didn't see Krabby hanging on for dear life from one of her tails." she heard a young male voice say. "When she reached the finish line an hour later, she was exhausted, which turned into surprise when she saw Krabby."

The Meowths giggled before an older male voice taunted "Who's laughing now, Ninetales?"

"Needless to say, Ninetales was very ashamed at how Krabby was able to beat her." the young male voice concluded its story. "She didn't boast about her speed for a long time after that--but I don't think she's become any more polite."

Applause went up from inside the tent. The Persian stifled a giggle when a female voice commented "Serves Ninetales right for being boastful like that."

Now's my chance. With that, the Persian gently scratched the tent and meowed, hopeful one of the humans inside would hear her....

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 45: Kima, the Brave Rapidash (Brock)

(real tale: Dapplegrim)

Brock hears a meow outside the tent. "Sounds like Mai got caught in the rain..."

"Who's she?" Misty is curious.

"She's a wild Persian that roams in the forest by the lake." Brock explains. "One ranger was enamored by her graceful walk that resembled a dance, and named her Mai, which means 'dance'. Before long, the name stuck with all the campers that visit the park--park lore says that if she visits you and you treat her well, your camp is protected from harm."

"She can stay with us until this rain lets up." Ash suggests as Brock carefully opens the tent, allowing a Persian and six baby Meowths inside.

"Aw, how cute!" Misty smiles as she gently pets a Meowth.

[It's an honor to see you again, Storyteller.] Mai purrs as Ash gently wipes her down with a towel.

"I'm glad to see you too, Mai--you've got a lot of little ones this year." Brock replies as he examines another of the Meowths.

[My lover Katsu understands that I may be away from the den for a long time on rainy days--usually because the forest trails get muddy. So he watches over the den until I return.] Mai explained as she shepherded the Meowths back to her side.

[Mama says you know a lot about the world's lore and heroes.] a male Meowth began. [Will you tell us about them?]

"A tale of a hero? Let's see here..." Brock thinks for a moment, then begins "There was once a rich family with twelve sons--while the other eleven were content to live the high life at home, the youngest--who I will call Brendan--longed to see the world, and so early the next morning, his parents gave him supplies, and wished him well on his travels."

[Where did he go?] a female Meowth asks.

"Brendan traveled a long way, and eventually came to a great city, where he entered the king's service." Brock replies. "The princess of that land--I'll call her Shyla--had been captured by a fearsome troll that lived in the mountains. Her father the king promised her hand in marriage and half the kingdom to anyone that could free her. Many princes and adventurers had made the perilous journey, but all had failed."

[How awful!] a male Meowth sighs.

"The years went by, and Brendan grew to be well loved and well liked in the palace." Brock continues."One day, he wrote a letter back home, and received a letter from his brothers that his mom and dad had passed on. His share of the inheritance was enclosed with the letter, but it also said that there were twelve Rapidashes on the hill by the palace, and he could take one of them as his own."

"So which one did he choose?" Ash is piqued.

"Brendan went to the hill, where he saw twelve Rapidashes, each with a Ponyta of their own." Brock replied. "One of these Ponytas was shiny, and Brendan was awed by this Ponyta's glowing blue mane."

[Did he adopt it?] a Meowth asks.

"Before he could, the Shiny Ponyta requested it stay with with its siblings for a year." Brock replied. "Brendan reluctantly agreed, but when he came back a year later, it had evolved into a Rapidash. But again, the Rapidash asked to be left behind for a second year, and then a third."

[I bet that shining Rapidash was huge!] one Meowth gasps.

"Oh it was--by the time Brendan returned at the end of the third year, the Rapidash was so large, it had to lie down in order for Brendan to mount it, and even then, it was hard to climb on." Brock replies. "That, and it shone so brightly, Brendan had to shield his eyes when he approached."

"I wonder if there was anything like sunglasses in fantasyland..." Misty muses.

"Brendan returned to the palace, and the king was stunned at the beauty of the shining Rapidash, which Brendan had named Kima. "He gave Kima the largest stall in the royal stables, and gave her the finest oats and grains."

[What about the princess?] a shining female Meowth asks. [Did Brendan and Kima save her?]

"One day, the king summoned Brendan, and asked if he would like to try and save Princess Shyla." Brock replies as he pets the shiny Meowth. "Brendan was unsure, but try as he might to tell the king that he was unfit for the job, the king insisted he at least try."

[And then? And then?] the Meowths cry.

"So Brendan and Kima set out early the next morning for the mountains." Brock continues. "The path to the troll's lair was very steep, so much so it took Kima three tries to get up there. But once she had a straight shot to the troll's lair, she ran so quickly, Brendan had time to pull Princess Shyla aboard and get her out of there without the troll having any clue they'd been there."

[Wow!] Mai is impressed.

"The king was elated that Princess Shyla was safe, and ordered wedding plans to be made." Brock concludes. "Brendan and Princess Shyla were married, and they all lived happily ever after."

"Bravo!" Melody leads the applause.

[Amazing! Now we know why you call this human the Storyteller.] the shiny Meowth agrees.

"I've trained my friends to tell stories as well." Brock replies. "So if you have a request for any of us, just tell us, and we'll tell your requested story if we know it."

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 46: The Minstrel's New Song (Misty)

(real tale: The Piper's New Music)

"Now it's my turn to tell a story." Misty assures the Meowths before beginning "In a far away land, there was once a minstrel who made his living traveling from town to town, playing his fiddle." Piqued murmurs went up from the crowd as Misty paused to open her own fiddle case. "Sometimes people left him coins in appriciation for the many airs and dances he played, and sometimes they did not. The minstrel didn't mind either way--he enjoyed playing music, and all he wanted was to see people happy. Sadly, happiness does not buy food, and some nights, the minstrel ate like a king, and others, he would go to bed hungry. But he didn't despair, he continued traveling and playing for people just the same."

With that, she plays a jig-like melody as an interlude. "One day, the minstrel was passing down a road leading into a valley, when he saw an unusual looking green egg." Misty goes on. "He wasn't sure what sort of Pokemon lay green eggs--if it even belonged to a Pokemon at all. Who knew whether it was some evil spirit inside the egg?"

The Meowths murmured for a moment, interested in what was inside the egg. "Finally, the minstrel mustered his courage, and cracked the egg. And who should come out but Celebi!" Misty announces. "Celebi thanked the minstrel for setting him free, and promised him he would never go hungry again before disappearing into the woods. The minstrel thought nothing of the odd encounter, and went on his way."

More murmurs fill the air as Misty continues. "When the minstrel arrived in the next town and started playing tunes, he swore he could hear Celebi singing along with his fiddle..."

Brock then began a mystical sounding melody on the guitar, over which Misty sang in French Venez à moi pièces et venir à bijoux moi, tous ceux qui appartiennent à des méchants. Jamais plus les riches des voleurs, maintenant que Celebi est ici - vous êtes trompé! Ah....Ah....

Ash is the most impressed. "I didn't know you knew a foreign language, Misty!"

Misty sighed. "Had to take one in school, and I picked French."

Brock plays an impatient chord, so Misty continues. "As Celebi continued to sing, coins and jewels of all kinds--rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, and pearls--went flying from the pockets, bags and purses of the merchants that charged too much, the greedy landlords that demanded exorbitant rents, and the thieves that stalked the alleyways. The townsfolk watched in amazement at the flying coins and jewels, but the minstrel kept playing, and Celebi sang again..."

Brock began the mystical melody again. "Le troubadour joue de joie, voyez-vous, alors, il est le plus riche parmi vous. Il a donné sans prendre beaucoup, et maintenant, il va récolter ce qui est dû.". Ah...Ah.... Misty sang again. "With that, all the coins and jewels went flying into the minstrel's pockets and bags, and even into the fiddle case." Awed gasps went up from the crowd. "The thieving folk tried to retrieve their ill gotten gains, but found they couldn't move a muscle--Celebi's song had paralyzed them!"

Laughter went up from the crowd at this as Misty continued "The minstrel sought out those that had been wronged and cheated by the thieving folk, and returned their rightful wealth to them. Once sure that all the wealth had been returned, and that the thieving folk would no longer oppress the honest folk, the minstrel started a set of tunes, and everyone danced with joy."

The boys join in as Misty leads the way into "Juice for Breakfast", and a number of other dances. When the set ends, she concludes "As for Celebi, he returned to the heavens, where he watches over the forests of the world, waiting for someone to bless like the minstrel."

"Every time I've heard Brock tell that one, he usually picks Spanish or Italian..." Ash muses as he applauds.

"...and yet Misty took that tale and made it her own." Brock reminds him. "That's the beauty of storytelling--no two storytellers will tell a story exactly the same way."

[A wise lesson from the master...] Mai agreed.

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 47: Two of a Kind (Ash)

(real tale: The Twin Brothers)

"There was once a fisherman who longed very much to have children." Ash begins. "So he went to the town sage, and the sage told him to catch a Goldeen, have him and his wife eat one half, and then bury the other piece of meat. So the fisherman did as he was told, and thought nothing of it. Imagine his surprise when he found his wife had given birth to two children, a boy and a girl!"

Laughter fills the air as the audience pictures the fisherman's reaction. "On top of that, their Arcanine had two Growlithes, their Rapidash had two Ponytas, and two Cheri trees sprouted on each end of the front walk." Ash continues. "The children were named Kendall and Meredith, in remembrance of the waters the Goldeen had come from."

Ash continues "The years went by, and Kendall and Meredith eventually came of age. They both longed to go out into the world, but their mother assured them that Kendall would try his luck first, and if fortune be unkind to him, Meredith would go. So Kendall took his Growlithe, his Ponyta, and the harp Meredith had made for him...." Excited whispers race through the crowd as Brock retrieves his own harp. "and told her that so long as the Cheri trees bloomed, he was alive and well. But if either of them wilted, he needed her help. If one of them had bright blossoms, that meant he had found fortune, and she was to come join him."

The audience eagerly speculates what will happen to Kendall. "Kendall traveled a long way, until he came to a far away land." Ash continues as he watches Brock tune the harp. "He asked the local sage about the castle, and the sage told him that the king was seeking a husband for the princess--we'll call her Yumi. Each would be suitor had to pass three trials--if he completed them, he would have Princess Yumi's hand in marriage. If he failed, he would die."

Concerned murmurs and gasps race through the crowd. "But Kendall decided to try anyway--the next day, he traveled to the castle courtyard, and started playing his harp for the servants and the ladies." With that, Brock plays "The Riverbanks of the Moon" for effect.

Applause goes up when the last note dies. "Even Princess Yumi heard the song, and told her father about the minstrel in the courtyard." Ash continues. "The king summoned Kendall before him and asked what Kendall was doing there. When told that Kendall sought Princess Yumi's hand in marriage, the king gave Kendall his first challenge--cut a certain thick log in one stroke of a blade. Kendall was so distraught, he didn't even feel like picking up the harp that night."

Brock then plays a soft D chord to represent Princess Yumi. "Even Princess Yumi was concerned, and asked Kendall what was wrong, as she had grown fond of him. When Kendall told her what the matter was, Yumi just smiled and urged Kendall to play for her, and she would have an answer for him in the morning."

After Brock plays the song "Come Give Me Your Hand" to simulate the passage of time, Ash continues "The next morning, Princess Yumi told Kendall she had studied much about magic and fighting, to name a few things. She laid a hand on Kendall's blade, making it glow blue with a spell of strength. Needless to say, Kendall had no problem cutting the log!"

The audience applauds at this. "The king then told Kendall to take his Rapidash and ride for three miles with a chalice filled with water. If even a drop was spilled, the king would have his head." Ash continues, making more concerned chatter fill the air. "Kendall was troubled again, so much so that he didn't even pick up the harp that night."

The Meowths cheer as Brock plays Princess Yumi's motif. "Princess Yumi grew concerned, and asked Kendall what was wrong." Ash goes on. "When Kendall told her his dilemma, she urged him to play for her, and she would have an answer in the morning."

The waltz "Starry Night" fills the air to simulate the passage of time. When Brock finishes the song, he continues. "The next morning, before Kendall left, Princess Yumi laid a hand on the chalice and sang..." He sings Rou iitsa ron selga vichii...

More cheers go up at the sung "spell". "The water instantly froze to ice, thereby fulfilling the king's challenge.' Ash explains. "But the third challenge was the hardest--face Princess Yumi herself in a non-lethal duel in the royal arena. Kendall was a fine swordsman in his own right, and his sword still had the strength spell on it, but he figured Princess Yumi was years ahead of him in skill."

The group is silent as they ponder how Kendall could defeat Princess Yumi. "That night, Princess Yumi assured Kendall that she would tell him how to defeat her in the morning if he just played the harp for her that night." Ash assures the audience before Brock plays "The Fairy's Waltz" to simulate the passage of time.

When the last note dies, Ash continues. "The next day, Princess Yumi told him that at one point during the duel, she would throw out a sapphire. If he cut it, she would know to hold back and let him win--as she was so skilled, it would look very much like she lost naturally."

Brock then plays a frantic melody to simulate the duel. "The duel commenced, and Kendall did very well matching Princess Yumi step for step. In fact, for many hours, the duel was too close to call!" Ash announces.

"So did Kendall ever win?" Melody asks as the last chord fades away.

"At last, Princess Yumi threw out the sapphire, and Kendall cut it to seal his victory." Ash replies over a triumphant flourish from Brock. "The king didn't know that Princess Yumi had let Kendall win, as it looked for all intents and purposes that Princess Yumi had lost naturally."

He concludes over a triumphant melody. "Kendall and Princess Yumi were soon married, and even Meredith came to join in the festivities when she saw the right Cheri tree glow. They all lived happily for many years."

The crowd roars as Ash acknowledges Brock, who takes a bow...

(what Brock plays: The Riverbanks of the Moon, Come Give Me Your Hand, Starry Night, The Fairy's Waltz)

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 48: The Legend of Momo (Brock)

(real tale: Prunella)

"In a far away land, there lived a woman with a daughter." Brock begins. "Since the girl loved Pecha Berries more than anything, she was named Momo, which means "Pecha"."

[Fascinating...] Mai purred.

"Now, it just so happened that there was a Pecha tree by the roadside leading into town. So whenever Momo traveled to town, she would take one of the Berries to have for a snack on the way." Brock explained. "But Momo didn't know that the Pecha tree belonged to a witch!"

Everyone gasps at this. "Did the witch turn Momo into something when she caught her?" Ash worries.

"No, she actually made her her slave." Brock replies, to more gasps. "The years went by, and Momo grew into a lovely lady, which made the witch even more jealous of her. So one day, the witch gave Momo a bucket and told her to get some water from the nearby well, or else."

One of the Meowths hisses, appalled a human would kill someone over something silly as water. "Momo agreed, but no matter how many times she lowered the bucket into the water, the water would drain out, and she would have to do it again." Brock continues. "Finally, she burst into tears with frustration."

"The witch must've enchanted it, planning to kill Momo all along..." Misty grumbles.

[Surely someone came to help!] Mai agrees.

"Just then, a mage named Dillon came, and told her he wanted to help." Brock assures his audience. "He had dealt with this witch before, and knew all her wiles and traps. He drew water for Momo, but the witch had no idea that Momo had had help--thankfully so, since witches and mages were mortal enemies."

Melody swallows hard. "See, mages usually use their power for good things, and witches use their power to do bad things." Ash explains. Melody shakily nods to show she understands.

"The next day, the witch told Momo to make a loaf of bread while she was away in town, or else." Brock intones. "But Try as she might, the dough would not rise."

The Shiny Meowth charges a ball of white light in her paws. [Where is this fiend that would hurt this sweet lady?]

[Calm down, Korra--it is only a tale.] Mai assures the Meowth.

"Sure enough, Dillon heard Momo crying, and used some of his magic to make bread." Brock continues. "Thankfully, the witch was none the wiser. The next day, she asked Momo to travel to her sister's house and retrieve a coffin there..."

Ash snickers nervously at this. "As Momo walked down the path, Dillon met her on the road, and told her..." In character as a young man, Brock explains as Dillon "Take this vial of oil, this loaf of bread, this piece of rope, and this broom. When you reach the witch's house, oil the hinges of the door with the oil, and throw the loaf of bread to the Arcanine who will come to meet you. When you have passed the Arcanine, you will see in the courtyard a miserable woman trying in vain to let down a bucket into the well with her hair. You must give her the rope. In the kitchen you will find a still more miserable woman trying to clean the hearth with her tongue; to her you must give the broom. You will see the casket on the top of a cupboard. Take it as quickly as you can, and leave the house without a moment's delay. If you do all this exactly as I have told you, you will not be killed."

As himself, he continues "Momo did as she was told, and not even the sister knew that Momo had any help. But the witch was beginning to suspect something was up--when Momo returned, the witch told her that if one of the three Combuskens crowed during the night, she was to tell her which Combusken she had heard, or else."

"Dillon was there, right?" Ash asks, excited.

"He was, and he planned to free Momo that night." Brock replied. "One of the Combuskens crowed around midnight, but before the witch could ask Momo which one it was, Dillon appeared to her and cast a lightning spell!" As Dillon again, he announces "Heavenly bolts, bring holy justice! Thundara!"

Cheers fill the air as Brock concludes. "Momo threw herself into Dillon's arms and confessed her love for him. It wasn't long before they were married, and they all lived happily ever after."

[See? The girl is saved in the end.] a Meowth assures Happini as everyone applauds...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 49: The Nine Princesses and the Leppa Berries (Misty)

(real tale: The Nine Pea-hens and the Golden Apples)


"One of the most prevalent tales in the world is 'The Golden Starly'" Misty explains to the Meowths. "The tale from Shinou is the most common version, but there are also versions in the other regions as well."

"I've told one Kanto variant already." Brock adds.

"I learned this version when I went to see Ash on his Houen adventure." Misty continues.

"I remember that!" Ash interrupts. "May told it to you while we traveled to the Mirage Kingdom."

"Anyway, the tale goes like this..." With that, Misty begins "A king in a certain land had a magical Leppa tree, where every day, it would bear Berries that shone like crystal."

[Pretty!] a Meowth comments.

"But by the time morning came, the Berries would be gone, and no one had a clue as to who or what took them." Misty continues. "So one day, the king commanded his eldest son to watch over the Leppa tree. At first, the eldest son did well watching over the tree, but it wasn't long before he fell asleep, and all the Berries were gone."

"How odd..." Melody muses.

"The king then commanded his middle son to watch over the tree, and the same thing happened--he would watch for a while, then fall asleep around midnight, only for the Berries to be gone." Misty goes on. "Finally, the king commanded the youngest son--let's call him Kenji--to watch over the tree. "Kenji agreed, and dozed for a little while, until around midnight, he woke up to discover a flock of Swellows landing on the tree. While eight of them landed on the branches, the ninth landed before him, and transformed into a princess."

[Amazing!] Mai is impressed.

"The princess introduced herself as Pearl, and asked Kenji if she and her sisters could take some of the Berries." Misty continues. "Kenji agreed, and ask that he leave some for him. They talked for a while, and it wasn't too long before Kenji fell madly in love with Pearl."

"And they all lived happily ever after--the end!" Ash interrupts.

"I'm not done yet!" Misty snaps, making everyone laugh. "When it was time for her and her sisters to leave, Princess Pearl left Kenji two crystal berries--one for him, and one for his father the king. The king was pleased at Kenji's cleverness, and allowed him to look after the tree every night. This wore on for a while, until Kenji's brothers started growing jealous of him."

"Oh no..." Melody swallows hard.

"Kenji's brothers went to an evil witch and asked her to somehow curse Kenji." Misty intones. "The witch agreed, and when the flock of Swellows arrived that night, she cast a lightning spell, which frightened all the Swellows away."

[That isn't very nice!] Korra is appalled at this.

"Luckily, Kenji found the witch hiding in the dungeon, and ordered the guard to kill her." Misty assures her audience. "That wasn't enough to lure the Swellows back--by the time a week went by with no sign of the Swellows to be had, Kenji took it upon himself to find them and his beloved Princess Pearl."

[Oh boy! A quest!] a Meowth smiles.

"Kenji traveled a long way, until he came to another land. He told the guard why he had come, and the guard said he would relay the message to the queen." Misty continues. "Imagine Kenji's surprise when he found that Pearl was the queen!"

"I bet he was shocked!" Ash replies.

"Not only that, he was ecstatic to see his beloved Pearl." Misty assures Ash. "He spent three years living in Queen Pearl's palace, forgetting all about his father and his brothers. Then one day, a terrifying Salamence captured Pearl while she was out exploring the nearby forest."

"En garde!" Ash challenges an imagined Salamence, using a stick as a sword.

Everyone laughs. "When Kenji heard what had happened, he vowed he would do whatever it took to save Queen Pearl." Misty continues as she tries oh-so-hard not to laugh at Ash's dramatic pose. "As he searched for the Salamence's cave, he saw a Goldeen struggling to return to a pond. He helped it in the water, and the Goldeen gave him a sapphire as thanks."

Mai gasps. [A magic jewel!]

"Then he found an Arcanine struggling in a net, and cut it free." Misty continues. "The Arcanine was thankful to be set free, and gave Kenji a ruby as thanks. Then he found a Mightyena caught in a trap, and set it free. The Mightyena was thankful to be free, and gave Kenji an emerald as thanks."

"So the Goldeen grants water, Arcanine grants fire, and Mightyena grants....earth?" Melody ponders what powers the three magic jewels have.

"Finally, Kenji made it to the Salamence's lair, where he found Queen Pearl and a few Ponytas." Misty explains. "They hoped to get away without the Salamence knowing, but it wasn't long before the Salamence was hot on their trail. Queen Pearl pointed out a river in the distance, so as they leapt from their Ponytas, Kenji invoked the sapphire's magic." She then sings Rou iitsa ron selga vichii...

[What did the sapphire do?] Korra is interested.

"It gave Kenji and Queen Pearl the ability to breathe underwater." Misty replied. "The Salamence decided they were a lost cause when he got to the river, not knowing they were hiding underwater. That bought Kenji and Queen Pearl time to continue on, but when they reached a tunnel in the mountains, the Salamence was right behind them! So Kenji invoked the ruby's magic..." She then sings Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

[And then?] Even Mai is excited.

"The ruby glowed with the light of a thousand fires, allowing Kenji and Queen Pearl to safely make it through the cave." Misty explained. "But the cave wasn't enough to shake the Salamence from their trail--no matter how fast they went, the Salamence went faster still. Kenji finally invoked the emerald's magic..." She then sings Karuto, iichiida shou...

Everyone holds their breaths to see if Kenji and Queen Pearl survive. "The emerald sped up Kenji's and Queen Pearl's mounts enough to outrun even Rayquaza. In fact, the Salamence crashed into a rock, killing him on impact." Misty concludes. "Kenji and Queen Pearl safely made it home to her kingdom, and they ruled there for many years. But Kenji kept the magic jewels with him, just in case he needed their power again."

Brock leads the applause. "You're getting better and better at storytelling with every tale you tell." he tells Misty.

[I'm not surprised, seeing how you are her teacher.] Mai smiles.