Tale 57: Entei the Wise (Brock)

(real tale: The Twelve Huntsmen)

"There was once a prince that was set to marry his beloved." Brock begins before pausing to think of names for the two lovers. "We'll call them Ethan and Sophia."

The group cheers in approval of the names. "One day, Prince Ethan received word that his father's time to die was close, and so he hurried back to his homeland to say goodbye." Brock continues. "When he got there, his father told him that he wanted Ethan to marry a princess of another land, never mind that Ethan already loved Sophia."

Sniffles go up as Brock retrieves his guitar and starts a sad melody. "Ethan was devastated at the notion of marrying anyone but his dear Sophia, but reluctantly went ahead and began wedding preparations."

He adds a soft flourish to represent Sophia. "Sophia was not any happier, but she was determined to reunite with her beloved Ethan, no matter what it took. So she commanded her father to make ranger's garb for her and her eleven maids, which looked all alike. Once disguised, Princess Sophia and her maids set out for Ethan's homeland, where they were hired as royal rangers."

The song then changes to a regal melody. "Now, Ethan's father had a pet Entei who was very wise--we'll call him Eichi." Brock explains. "One night, he told Ethan..." In a deeper version of himself, he intones "Milord, are you sure you have twelve royal rangers?"

"Of course they are royal rangers!" he retorts in a mimic of the real Ethan.

"Actually, they are twelve maids--because a male's feet are strong, while a female's are delicate and graceful." he explains as Eichi.

As himself, he continues. "So Ethan spread a bunch of Rindo Berries in the foyer to the ranger's quarters--but Sophia and her maids, for all intents and purposes, looked like a band of male rangers. Ethan then tried putting spinning wheels in the main hall, but Sophia and her maids didn't even look at them."

"So when did Ethan figure out who the rangers really were?" Melody asks.

"Sophia and her maids kept up their ruse for a year, fooling even Eichi into believing they were boys." Brock replies. "But then one day, the day before Ethan's new bride was to arrive, Ethan and the girls were on a hunt. Suddenly, Sophia feigned being injured by an arrow. When Ethan ran to help the fallen ranger, he saw the sapphire ring he had given Sophia two years before!"

Cheers go up over a triumphant guitar chord. "It dawned on Ethan just who the rangers really were, and threw himself into Sophia's arms, kissing her and crying tears of joy. He vowed..." As Ethan, he proclaims "I am yours, and you are mine, and no powers in heaven or on earth can tear us apart!"

Roars of applause go up as Brock concludes as himself "He sent a message to the other kingdom, saying the wedding was off--he had found another he loved better. Eichi forgave Ethan for doubting him, and welcomed Sophia back as well--they were married the next day, and lived happily ever after for many years."

Applause fills the air as Brock takes a bow...